eSIM Cards
It’s 2025 — no one should still be paying daily roaming fees to post a selfie in Rome. With the right eSIM, you can land in Italy, turn on your phone, and start exploring — no kiosk stops, no setup delays. Here are the best eSIMs to make that happen.
Don't think that just because you're a foreigner in Italy, then you have to pay excessive roaming fees just to connect to the internet or that you should give up and travel disconnected. We'll tell you more about the best alternative, eSIM for Italy, a new way to travel around Italy without losing contact with your friends and family.
But you may be wondering what an eSIM is. It is very simple to understand; it’s a SIM card that works digitally and doesn’t depend on external chips or devices to be able to use it, like, for example, the Pocket WiFi or the traditional physical SIM card that we all know.
In addition, with the eSIM, you won’t have to pay additional costs, and the best thing is that you don’t need to be an expert traveler to use it because, in this article, we will explain everything: how they work, which providers are on the market, and a comparison of their plans and prices so that your trip to Italy is perfect.
Buy an Italy eSIM online
Italy is a beautiful country, and it would be a shame to run out of internet when you taste the best pizza on the planet. The best way to avoid this is with an eSIM card, but before you use it, we encourage you to check the following minimum requirements.
When planning a trip to Italy, getting mobile data that actually works — without overpaying or wasting time — can feel like a challenge. But with the rise of eSIM technology, travelers now have smarter options.
Italy is well-covered by several top-tier eSIM providers, each with its own strengths depending on how you travel, how much data you need, and how much flexibility you want. Here’s a detailed look at the six best options for 2025, starting with the two most well-known players in the space.
Holafly has quickly become a favorite among international travelers, thanks to its standout offer: unlimited data. With coverage in over 220 destinations and more than a million users worldwide, it’s especially popular with people who don’t want to stress about how much data they’re using on the road.
If you're heading to Italy and want to stream, hotspot, or stay constantly connected, Holafly is one of the few providers that offers true unlimited data with no speed throttling. Pricing for Italy starts at around $6.90 per day, and while that’s higher than data-capped plans, it offers total peace of mind.
You don’t need to monitor your usage or worry about running out of data in the middle of navigating Florence or uploading a video from the Amalfi Coast. Setup is quick, support is responsive, and activation only takes a few minutes.
The only real downside is that Holafly’s unlimited data doesn’t come with a phone number or SMS support — it’s data only — but for most travelers, that’s not a dealbreaker. If you want an easy, seamless experience and don’t mind paying a little more for it, Holafly is hard to beat.
On the more budget-friendly end, Airalo is the go-to choice for cost-conscious travelers who don’t need unlimited data. It’s currently the world’s most popular eSIM marketplace, used by more than 10 million people in over 200 countries.
For Italy, Airalo offers highly flexible plans starting at just $4.50 USD for 1GB, all the way up to 20GB packages that last for 30 days. This is ideal if you're only in Italy for a short trip or mostly relying on hotel Wi-Fi but still want mobile data for maps, bookings, and the occasional WhatsApp message.
Airalo is easy to install, and their app makes plan management simple. The catch? Their plans are strictly data-only and capped — so once you run out of data, you either top up or go offline. There’s also no unlimited option, which means it's not the best fit if you use your phone heavily or plan to tether.
For travelers who want a middle ground between affordability and performance, Nomad stands out. Though not as widely known as Holafly or Airalo, Nomad offers some of the best value mid-range plans in Italy, such as 10GB for around €19 with a 30-day validity.
It’s great for users who don’t need unlimited data but want more breathing room than a 1–2GB plan provides. The mobile app is well-designed, activation is quick, and the service tends to be reliable even in smaller towns. That said, Nomad’s support isn’t quite as strong as the top players, and you’ll want to ensure your device is compatible before buying, as some users report setup hiccups.
Jetpac is one of the underrated names on the list, but for high data users, it delivers serious value. A standout offer includes 40GB of data in Italy for just $28—which breaks down to roughly $0.70 per gigabyte.
For remote workers, content creators, or anyone who needs frequent data access without hitting “unlimited” pricing levels, Jetpac fills that gap. It doesn’t offer calling features or SMS, and the app experience is a bit more stripped down than competitors.
For those who prioritize speed and want access to the latest tech, Ubigi is worth considering. It’s one of the few providers offering 5G network access in Italy through its eSIM plans. You can get unlimited data for a week at around €19, which makes it a good option for short, high-data trips.
Setup is fast, and the network experience is strong in most urban areas. Where Ubigi falls short is flexibility — their pricing doesn’t scale well for longer trips, and their plan variety is limited compared to providers like Holafly, Airalo or Nomad.
Finally, Roamless introduces an interesting twist: a pay-as-you-go model using reprogrammable eSIMs. Rather than buying a fixed data plan upfront, you load your account and pay only for what you use. This is ideal for travelers who visit multiple countries or have unpredictable data needs.
There’s no expiration on credit, and you’re not tied to one network. However, rates can fluctuate, and it's not ideal if you want clear, upfront pricing before your trip. Roamless is best for frequent travelers or digital nomads who want flexibility over simplicity.
| Provider | Plans available | Starting price | Key features |
 | Unlimited data (5-90 days) | From $6.90/day | Unlimited data, easy setup, 24/7 support |
 | 1GB–20GB (7–30 days) | From $4.50 | Budget-friendly, flexible plans, wide coverage |
 | 3GB–20GB (7–30 days) | $4 to $170 | Good value mid-range plans, reliable connection |
 | 1GB–50GB (15–30 days) | 3GB for $7 | High-data plans, great value per GB |
 | 10 GB (30 days) | 10GB for $22 | 5G speeds, fast setup, urban coverage |
 | Pay-as-you-go | Rates vary by usage | Flexible usage, no fixed plan, multi-country |
If you're planning to stay in Italy for a longer period or prefer to use a local mobile operator, you also have the option of purchasing a prepaid eSIM directly from Italian carriers. While these options typically require in-person activation, they can be a great alternative if you want a local number or bundled minutes for calls within Italy and the EU.
Here’s what you can expect from the three major providers: TIM, Vodafone, and Wind Tre.
TIM is one of Italy’s oldest and most reliable mobile operators. For tourists, it offers a 50GB data plan with 200 minutes (usable across Italy and the EU) for about €15. This plan is available as an eSIM, but you’ll need to visit a TIM store in person to complete your activation — even if you pre-purchase it online.
There are additional travel-focused options like Viaggio Pass, which includes connectivity across Europe, the US, Canada, and Brazil, and Viaggio Pass MONDO, which covers a broader international range.
Benefits of TIM’s eSIM:
How to activate: Purchase online or in-store, visit any TIM retail location, request eSIM activation, and scan the QR code provided. You’ll need to associate your personal information with the eSIM, and follow TIM’s setup instructions, which vary by device.
Vodafone is a major telecom brand across Europe and offers eSIMs for all compatible devices — not just wearables. While eSIM support is available, there is typically a €1 activation fee, and plans must be purchased alongside the eSIM request. Replacing your eSIM in case of loss or theft will cost about €10, and must be done at a physical store.
Benefits of Vodafone’s eSIM:
How to activate: Buy a compatible plan in-store and request eSIM activation. Scan the QR code you’re given, and the eSIM will be downloaded to your phone. Vodafone’s eSIM comes with a PIN and PUK just like a traditional SIM.
Wind Tre offers a Tourist Pass for visitors, which includes 20GB of data valid for 30 days, with 13.7GB available for EU roaming. All of their plans are available via eSIM, but activation must be done in person at a Wind Tre Business store.
Benefits of Wind Tre’s eSIM:
How to activate: Visit a Wind Tre store, request the Tourist Pass with eSIM, scan your QR code, and follow the installation guide for your device. You’ll need an internet connection to complete the setup.
When you have decided to buy your eSIM, you must know in depth the qualities that differentiate them from the traditional physical SIM. The virtual card is much easier to use, but to make all this clear, we set out a list where you can find the eSIM's main features.
When you are ready to buy your eSIM card, don’t forget to ask about the coverage offered by the plan you are choosing, sometimes a very cheap plan may not provide you with enough coverage, and this has to do with the plan and the previous roaming agreements that the eSIM company has with the domestic providers.
In Italy, the operators with the greatest coverage in the country are Telecom Italia, Vodafone, and Wind Tre.
First, make sure your phone supports eSIMs and is unlocked. Then, choose a provider, pick a data plan that matches your trip, and complete your purchase online. You’ll receive a QR code or installation link by email — just follow the steps to activate your eSIM and you’re ready to go.
Once installed and activated, your eSIM works just like a regular SIM — meaning it doesn’t require Wi-Fi to stay connected. But to install or activate an eSIM for the first time, you do need an internet connection. So it’s best to set it up before you leave home or while connected to your hotel or airport Wi-Fi.
It depends on what you need. If you're after affordable plans with data flexibility, Airalo might be a good choice—great for light to moderate data users, and you only pay for what you use. Holafly, on the other hand, offers unlimited data, which is perfect if you stream, hotspot, or stay online constantly.
For a full breakdown of both, see our head-to-head comparison: Holafly vs Airalo.
Our mission is simple: to make sure you never have to ask, “What’s the WiFi password?” again. All our tips come straight from personal experience — because we’d never recommend something we haven’t put to the test ourselves.
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