Which carriers matter, what buying a SIM involves, and when an eSIM is the smarter move.
Reliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.
One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.
Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.
If you might want a longer or non-tourist plan, get a codice fiscale free from the Agenzia delle Entrate early on: a PDF or the official email is usually accepted rather than the plastic card. Passport registration is mandatory even at airport kiosks, so budget 5 to 10 minutes of paperwork. Some MVNOs such as Very Mobile require an Italian tax code and delivery to an Italian postal address, so they are not a tourist route, and EU roaming allowances are a capped sub-allowance rather than the full domestic bundle.
The old incumbent, with the best rural and mountain coverage.
Fastest 5G in cities and the best English-language support. Also the strongest network on Sardinia.
The largest network by tower count, with high-value bundles. Strong on Sardinia too.
The price disruptor, with transparent low-cost high-data plans. Few staffed stores, but its self-service Simbox kiosks issue a SIM in minutes.
Anonymous SIMs are illegal in Italy, so every line must be linked to an identity: non-EU citizens need a passport, EU citizens can use a national ID card. Short tourist packs generally activate on a passport alone, while standard or monthly plans usually also require a codice fiscale (Italian tax code), which foreign citizens can obtain free from the Agenzia delle Entrate.
Mild. Kiosks at Fiumicino, Malpensa, Venice and Naples charge a reasonable EUR 15 to 30 for around 30 GB over 30 days, but expect 15 to 30 minute queues at peak arrival times and unclear pricing until you reach the counter. The friction, not the markup, is the reason to buy elsewhere.
Guac eSIM covers Italy with data plans starting from $1.50 per GB and instant activation, so your phone is online the moment you land. Airalo and Holafly are popular alternatives.
SIM cards and eSIM in Italy