eSIMs offer many advantages for travelers. There’s no longer any need to buy new SIM cards in every country you visit or pay expensive roaming fees to your traditional mobile carrier. Instead, you can buy an eSIM package that gives you data access in foreign countries, connecting to the same internet infrastructure locals use.
Italy is one of the most visited countries worldwide, and visitors often need eSIMs for internet access. We tested different eSIM providers in Italy to curate the best ones for you.
The best eSIMs for Italy in 2024 in full:
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Best eSIM overall
Airalo is the world’s leading eSIM marketplace, covering virtually all countries. It offers a range of eSIMs with robust coverage for Italian visitors. Airalo’s Mamma Mia package covers the whole of Italy, piggybacking on three domestic networks: Vodafone, TIM, and Wind Tre. TIM provides 5G coverage, while Vodafone and Wind Tre provide LTE coverage.
You can choose from a variety of Mamma Mia plans, including $4.50 for 1 GB for 7 days, $8 for 2 GB for 15 days, $10 for 3 GB for 30 days, $14.50 for 5 GB for 30 days, $24 for 10 GB for 30 days, or $33 for 20 GB for 30 days. Airalo’s plans aren’t as affordable as some competitors, but the widespread coverage and speedy internet make this eSIM provider worthwhile.
Alternatively, you can choose Airalo’s Eurolink plan, which covers Italy and 38 other European nations. Eurolink data plans are slightly more expensive than the Italy-only packages. For example, 3 GB for 30 days costs $13 with Eurolink, compared to $10 for the Italy-only deal. But, this higher cost is understandable because of the broader coverage.
Airalo offers data-only plans. There’s no phone number for calls and SMS, but you can use VoIP apps like WhatsApp and Skype to call and text via the internet.
Read our full Airalo review.
Best eSIM for network coverage
aloSIM is a popular eSIM provider with coverage in 175+ countries. Italian visitors can choose from various plans, including $4.50 for 1 GB for 7 days, $8 for 2 GB for 15 days, $10 for 3 GB for 30 days, $14.50 for 5 GB for 30 days, $24 for 10 GB for 30 days, and $33 for 20 GB for 30 days.
You can also choose the aloSIM Europe eSIM, which covers Italy and 30 other European countries. The Europe-wide plans cost the same as the Italy-only plans, so it’s a smart choice if you plan to visit Italy and some neighboring countries.
aloSIM has network-sharing agreements with Vodafone, Iliad, and Wind Tre, giving users robust internet access. However, your speed is limited to LTE; there’s no 5G connection, which is a disadvantage.
You don’t need documentation to buy and activate your aloSIM plan. You can pay on the website and activate the eSIM by scanning the QR code sent to your email address.
Read our full aloSIM review.
Best eSIM for affordability
Nomad is an eSIM provider that is well known for its affordability. It offers a broad range of data plans for Italian visitors, including $6 for 1 GB for 7 days, $12 for 3 GB for 30 days, $14 for 5 GB for 30 days, $19 for 10 GB for 30 days, $27 for 15 GB for 30 days, and $33 for 20 GB for 30 days.
Nomad offers an unlimited plan but with a catch. You can only browse at fast speeds with 1 GB daily. Once you surpass 1 GB in a day, your unlimited browsing speed is throttled to 512kbps. This feels counterintuitive, but it’s a good tradeoff between affordability and speed. The unlimited plans cost $4 for 1 day, $5 for 3 days, $7 for 5 days, $10 for 7 days, and $13 for 10 days.
Like most eSIM providers, Nomad’s plans are data-only, with no phone numbers for calls and SMS. Activation is easy– you’ll pay for the plan online and scan the QR code sent to your email address, which takes you to the website or app to activate the eSIM. Turn on the eSIM profile when you arrive in Italy, and you’re good to go.
Read our full Nomad review.
Best eSIM for customer support
Saily is an excellent eSIM provider with robust coverage in Italy. You can choose from five plans, including $3.99 for 1 GB for 7 days, $8.99 for 3 GB for 30 days, $12.99 for 5 GB for 30 days, $20.99 for 10 GB for 30 days, or $28.99 for 20 GB for 30 days. These prices are similar to those of other eSIM providers.
It doesn’t take much to activate a Saily eSIM. You can buy the plan online and then scan the QR code sent to your email address to activate the eSIM– the activation takes place in the Saily app, which you must download on your iOS or Android device. Of course, you can activate the eSIM outside Italy, but it won’t work until you arrive in the country.
One of the best things about Saily is its 24/7 customer support. Its well-staffed and skilled support team is available to field your complaints. Like most providers, Saily offers data-only plans with no phone numbers for calls and SMS.
Read our full Saily review.
Best eSIM for user-friendliness
Jetpac is another eSIM provider offering stellar service for Italian visitors. You can choose from various data plans, including $6.50 for 3 GB for 7 days, $9 for 5 GB for 30 days, $14 for 10 GB for 30 days, $19 for 15 GB for 30 days, $25 for 20 GB for 30 days, $37 for 30 GB for 30 days, or $48 for 40 GB for 30 days.
Jetpac offers a plan that covers only Italy and a Europe plan covering 28 countries, including Italy. The latter is the smart choice if you plan to tour Europe and include Italy as one of your destinations. This eSIM provider has network-sharing agreements with Vodafone and Wind Tre, giving customers access to the same robust telecoms infrastructure Italian locals enjoy.
Activation works via the Jetpac app. You’ll pay for your plan and activate your eSIM via the iOS and Android app, which has an intuitive interface you’ll likely enjoy using. After activating the eSIM, you can always return to this app to monitor and top up your data balance.
The main drawback is Jetpac’s lack of an unlimited data plan.
Read our full Jetpac review.
Best eSIM for unlimited data
Holafly is another top-notch eSIM provider for Italian visitors. Unlike others with capped data plans, this provider’s best feature is its unlimited data packages. Holafly has no rigid pricing—the amount you’ll pay depends on the exact number of days you choose, ranging from $6 for 1 day to $37 for 10 days, $75 for 30 days, and $139 for 90 days.
Holafly’s plans are noticeably expensive but worth it, considering the unlimited data you’ll enjoy. You can browse as much as you want with unthrottled speed, unlike Nomad’s unlimited plan that caps your browsing speed after 1 GB of daily usage.
You can choose a Holafly plan that covers only Italy or one that covers 30+ European countries, including Italy. Both options cost the same, so it’s wise to choose the latter and enjoy unlimited data if you visit neighboring countries.
Holafly doesn’t offer a phone number for calls and SMS, but you can use WhatsApp, Skype, and other VoIP apps to call and text seamlessly via the internet. You can use your mobile phone as a hotspot, although sharing is capped at 500 MB daily. Holafly’s Italian coverage is powered by Iliad and Wind Tre, two major domestic mobile carriers. Use code TECHRADAR to get 5% off.
Read our full Holafly review.
Best eSIMs for Italy FAQs
What is an eSIM?
eSIM means embedded SIM. It is a type of SIM card directly embedded in a device, rather than the physical SIM cards you can swap or remove at will. It comprises software installed on a chip permanently embedded in a device instead of the integrated circuit on a plastic card that you can easily remove.
You can re-program an eSIM with new information anytime. In other words, you can add or remove SIM profiles without changing any physical component. Everything works via software configurations, which is more convenient than having multiple physical SIM cards.
Most new smartphones since 2018 are eSIM-compatible. There’s a clear global shift towards eSIMs, with eSIM device shipments expected to grow to 14 billion by 2030, compared to 350 million in 2021. Like most new technologies, eSIMs have become prominent in more developed countries and are gradually becoming popular in developing countries. At current growth rates, physical SIM cards could become a thing of the past in a few decades.
Why do I need an eSIM in Italy?
Italy is one of Europe’s most visited countries, with over 60 million annual tourists. Most tourists need data connection during their Italy stay, and an eSIM is the most convenient way to get it. Gone are the days of waiting in queues to buy a local SIM in every country you visit. You can now purchase and activate an Italy-enabled eSIM from anywhere and switch it on when you land in the country to enjoy data access.
Companies like Airalo, Nomad, and Holafly offer eSIMs that give anyone data access in Italy and many other countries. These providers have partnered with domestic carriers in different countries, so their eSIMs connect you to the same telecom infrastructure local carriers enjoy. For example, an Airalo eSIM connects users to 5G coverage from TIM, Italy’s largest telecoms carrier, and LTE coverage from Vodafone and Wind Tre.
How do I know if my device is eSIM-compatible?
Most new smartphones have eSIM slots. Some smartphones have ditched the physical SIM altogether and only support eSIMs. For example, Apple sells eSIM-only iPhones in the U.S., but in other countries, it sells iPhones compatible with both eSIMs and physical SIMs.
Checking eSIM compatibility for your smartphone is easy. Follow the below steps:
For iPhones
- Open the Settings app and click Cellular.
- Look for the Add eSIM button. If you see this button, your iPhone works with eSIMs. If you don’t see this button, your iPhone is not eSIM-compatible.
For Android phones
- Open the Settings app.
- Select About Phone.
- Look for SIM Status or a similar setting.
- Check for any mention of eSIM or Embedded SIM. If you see it, your Android device works with eSIMs. Otherwise, the device isn’t eSIM-compatible.
If you’re still unsure, check your smartphone manufacturer’s website for specifications. eSIM compatibility will likely be listed under your smartphone’s technical specifications.
Considerations for choosing an eSIM
1. Cost
Cost is the primary consideration when choosing an eSIM package. It’s necessary to find a package that doesn’t break the bank, striking a balance between affordability and useful features like speed and data allocation. Nomad is the most affordable option on this list but has tradeoffs like limited data or throttled speed on the unlimited plan.
If you want the best option and are willing to pay more, we recommend Holafly because of its unlimited data and robust speed.
2. Coverage
You need an eSIM provider that provides robust network coverage across Italy, not just in the city clusters like Rome and Milan. Fortunately, most providers on our list have network-sharing agreements with multiple domestic mobile carriers, giving users redundant, excellent network coverage.
3. Customer service
Customer support is an essential part of any eSIM package. You should be able to contact your provider’s support team via email, live chat, or telephone to file complaints and get them resolved. Fortunately, all eSIM providers on our list offer robust customer support.
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