Getting data in Italy is straightforward. The three main options are: a local SIM card, an eSIM, or your home carrier’s international roaming plan. The right choice depends on how long you’re staying, what device you have, and how much data you need.
Option 1: EU roaming (for EU/UK residents)
If you’re from an EU country, your standard mobile contract likely includes roaming in Italy at no extra charge (EU roaming regulation). This is the simplest option for most European travellers - just use your existing SIM.
UK residents: Post-Brexit, UK carriers are no longer required to include EU roaming. Many still offer it as part of certain plans; check your specific tariff before travelling. Some carriers charge a daily roaming fee (typically £2–5/day).
Option 2: Local SIM card
Available at any phone shop, tobacconist (tabaccheria), or newsagent. The three main Italian carriers:
TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile): The largest network with the best rural coverage. Good for travelling outside cities. Prepaid plans from €10–20/month for 50–100GB.
Vodafone Italy: Strong coverage in cities and major tourist areas. Competitive data plans. Slightly higher prices than WindTre but good quality.
WindTre: The merged company (Wind + 3), now one of the larger Italian carriers. Good data deals; sometimes the cheapest option for tourists. Coverage slightly less complete than TIM in rural areas.
Buying: You’ll need a passport or ID card and an Italian tax code (codice fiscale) for some plans - but many prepaid tourist SIMs don’t require it. Staff at phone shops near the main train stations (Roma Termini, Napoli Centrale, Milano Centrale) deal with tourists regularly and can process an activation in 10–15 minutes.
Costs: Tourist prepaid data SIMs typically €10–25 for 15–30 days with 20–50GB of data.
Option 3: eSIM
For phones that support eSIM (most modern flagships from 2019 onwards - iPhone XS+, recent Android flagships), an eSIM is often the most convenient option:
Airalo: The largest eSIM marketplace. Italy eSIMs from ~€6/7 days (2GB) to ~€19/30 days (20GB). Activate before you travel; no physical SIM swap.
Holafly: Unlimited data plans; typically more expensive per day but no data monitoring required. Italy plans from ~€19/7 days.
Local carrier eSIMs: TIM and Vodafone Italy both offer eSIM activation in their stores - same plans as physical SIM.
What to know
Coverage: In cities and on main motorways, all three carriers provide 4G coverage. In mountain areas and remote Sardinia, TIM has the broadest coverage.
Data speeds: Italian 4G is fast in cities. 5G is available from all three carriers in major cities (Milan, Rome, Naples, Bologna, Turin).
Wi-Fi availability: Most accommodation provides WiFi. Many restaurants and cafes offer WiFi on request. Italian WiFi quality is variable but usually adequate. The reliance on WiFi without a local SIM becomes awkward when navigating unfamiliar areas.
Maps offline: Download Google Maps or Maps.me offline maps for Italy before arriving - this eliminates the data dependency for navigation.
Recommendation
- 1–3 days: Use existing roaming plan or just rely on WiFi; a local SIM isn’t worth the setup.
- 3–14 days: eSIM (Airalo or Holafly) is the most convenient if your phone supports it; otherwise a local SIM from a tabaccheria near your first station.
- 14+ days: Local SIM from TIM or WindTre for best value; eSIM from local carrier also works.
Where to buy
At the airport: TIM and Vodafone have kiosks at Rome Fiumicino (Terminal 3 arrivals), Milan Malpensa (Terminal 1), and Naples Capodichino. Prices are the same as in-town shops. Staff speak English. Activation takes approximately 10–15 minutes. This is the most convenient option - you have data immediately upon arrival.
At train stations: Phone shops and tabaccherie near Roma Termini, Milano Centrale, Firenze Santa Maria Novella, Venezia Santa Lucia, and Napoli Centrale all sell prepaid tourist SIMs. Competition between shops keeps prices honest.
In town: Any phone shop (look for TIM, Vodafone, or WindTre signage) or tabaccheria (tobacconist - they sell much more than tobacco, including SIM cards, bus tickets, and stamps). Smaller towns may only have one or two options; cities have shops on every major street.
Specific tourist plans (as of 2026)
TIM Tourist: Approximately €20 for 30 days, 50GB data, 200 minutes of calls within Italy and to EU countries. Available at TIM shops and airport kiosks. Requires passport. The most popular tourist SIM in Italy.
Vodafone Holiday: Approximately €25 for 30 days, 50GB data, unlimited calls within Italy. Available at Vodafone shops. Requires passport and sometimes a codice fiscale (the shop can generate one).
WindTre Tourist Pass: Approximately €15 for 30 days, 30GB data, 100 minutes of calls. The cheapest mainstream option. Available at WindTre shops. Requires passport.
Iliad (budget carrier): Approximately €8–10/month for 100–150GB data and unlimited calls. Iliad is a French-owned budget carrier with aggressive pricing. Available at Iliad Corner kiosks (in shopping centres and some train stations). Coverage uses the WindTre network. The best value for longer stays.
Plan your trip:
- Get an eSIM for Italy - no physical SIM swap needed
- Get travel insurance for your trip
- Search flights to Italy
Tethering and hotspots
All Italian prepaid plans allow tethering (using your phone as a WiFi hotspot for a laptop or tablet). This is not restricted. If you’re working remotely, a 50GB TIM or Vodafone plan provides a reliable backup connection for video calls and file transfers. Italian 4G speeds in cities are typically 30–100 Mbps - adequate for most work tasks.
For remote workers planning a longer stay: Italy Digital Nomad Visa guide covers the legal requirements for non-EU nationals, and best cities for remote work in Italy compares coworking infrastructure by city. For planning transport logistics on the ground: getting around Italy guide covers trains, buses, and navigating without a car. For packing alongside your SIM: Italy packing list covers adapters, voltage, and what else you’ll need.
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
See our itineraries for inspiration:
- One Week in Italy - seven days through Rome, Florence, and Venice
- 10 Days in Italy - the classic grand tour of Italy’s highlights
- 2 Weeks in Italy - the ultimate two-week Italian itinerary
- 3 Weeks in Italy - the north-to-south grand tour from Milan to Sicily
Plan Your Trip
✈️ Book your flights to Italy 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM 🚗 Rent a car