My favorite element of Italy is how being there is always a blend of ancient and modern. On one trip many years ago I attended a dance party (when I was young and cool enough to attend such a thing) at some ruins in Rome. It was utterly unforgettable.
This isn’t always a harmonious mix, of course. Driving a modern SUV down the ancient streets of Verona (of “Romeo and Juliet” fame) was horrifying, even though I had full-coverage insurance on my rental car!
The good news? Buying SIM cards in Italy is now way easier than it used to be. The better news? In some cases, you can do it before you leave your country.
Getting a SIM in Italy Used to Be a Nightmare
Things were not pretty the first few times I tried to buy an Italy SIM card. I was in Lecce (in Puglia) en route to Otranto, and the SIM I’d bought from a kiosk in Milan ran out of credit. Back then, it wasn’t possible to refill a tourist SIM; you instead had to buy another. Unfortunately for me, the shop in Lecce didn’t seem to want to sell me a prepaid card. Instead, they wanted to see proof of Italian residency and force me to register for a plan.
Embarrassingly, I got quite upset as a result of the ordeal, which resulted in one of the locals in the shop (who, to be fair, whose a curmudgeonly old man who was unpleasant in his own right) to castigate me in front of all the other customers. Thankfully, as you’re about to read, it’s significantly easier to get an Italy SIM card now than it was more than a decade ago when this happened.
The Best Ways to Stay Connected in Italy
Install an Italy eSIM in advance
Once you’ve decided upon the best eSIM in Italy (as you can tell, I like the offerings from Saily), you can install it—even before you board your plane. The process varies, with some eSIM cards requiring you to install an app, and others simply needing the scan of a QR code. Note that while most modern devices are eSIM compatible, those purchased before 2020 might not be.
Buy a SIM on arrival at the airport
Don’t have a modern phone, or are simply allergic to technology? Don’t fret! You can buy an Italian SIM card at any major airport in Italy, whether you’re set on a local carrier like 3 or Vodafone, or are fine turning up and just buying whatever is available. Make sure to have your passport available—and also, to have cash on hand, just in case the card machine isn’t working (which I may or may not know is possible from personal experience!).
(Or in the city)
As I explained above, trying to buy a SIM card at a shop in Italy isn’t always the best idea. Kiosks in large cities like Milan and Rome seem equipped to accommodate the prepaid whims of foreign tourists like me. On the other hand, if you happen to be in Lecce or somewhere like it, you might really end up pressing your luck (though I do have to imagine that circumstances are slightly sunnier more than a decade on).
Use a global data plan
On the other hand, I haven’t had to mess around with Italy SIM cards in a while. That’s because the cell phone plan I use in the US, Google Fi, is effectively a “global” plan. Other non-global plans may offer global data packages. I know for a fact that these are available with major US carriers like T-Mobile and AT&T, though I encourage you to consult your home country’s mobile company if you’re unsure.
Get by using only Wi-Fi
When I very first visited Italy almost 20 years ago, smartphones didn’t exist and a SIM card would only facilitate calls and texts back home; back then, I subsisted on Wi-Fi or even wired ethernet. Could you do the same today? I suppose, if you don’t mind taking physical notes to be able to refer to when you’re not connected. However, unless you’re completely allergic to tech, I probably wouldn’t recommend this option.
Do SIM Cards from Other European Countries Work in Italy?
In theory, SIM cards issued in other European countries should work in Italy. This is because of recent EU legislation, which requires free roaming for all SIM cards in the bloc. Unfortunately, tourists aren’t usually able to avail this benefit, which legally only applied to post-paid plans offered to people who live and reside in the European Union.
Now, I’m not saying that the SIM you buy in Portugal or France might not work upon landing in Venice or Naples. It could; I’ve personally experienced this happening in the past. Instead, I’m suggesting that you be pro-activate about buying a SIM card for Italy now. Otherwise, you may end up depending on hand-scrawled instructions from an airport tourist information booth in order to reach your first hotel!
Other FAQ About Italian SIM Cards
Can foreigners buy SIM cards in Italy?
Foreigners can easily buy SIM cards in Italy—you simply need to present your passport at the location where you buy the SIM card. Of course, my personal preference is to purchase an eSIM well in advance of my trip, and activate it before my flight takes off so that it’s available when I land.
Can I get a SIM card in an Italian airport?
You can buy SIM cards from various mobile providers at major airports in Italy including Rome, Venice and Milan. If you forget to buy a SIM in the airport, and you don’t decide simply to install an eSIM, you can instead opt to buy a SIM at a mobile shop or kiosk in an Italian city.
How do I get an Italian eSIM?
Getting an Italian eSIM is easy. After choosing a provider like Airalo, Holafly or Saily, you purchase the SIM and download installation instructions. The actual installation is usually as easy as scanning a QR code, though this may vary depending upon which device you use.
The Bottom Line
I hope you now understand SIM cards in Italy on a much deeper level than you once did. The short summary? Buy an eSIM if you have a compatible device, and install it before you get on the plane. The long one is that if you forget it’s no big deal; you can both install an eSIM or purchase a physical one easily, either at the airport in Rome or Milan, or at your destination of choice. There’s even a chance that your home country’s SIM will work in Italy! Need personalized help putting your dream Italian adventure together? Consider hiring me as your Travel Coach—and let me sweat the details for you.