How to Get a SIM Card in Italy (2026)

Where to buy, which carriers, what documents you need, and the tourist plans that give you 100GB for €10.

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Where to buy

Walk into any TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, or Iliad store. They're in every city center, every shopping mall, and at every major airport. Airport shops are slightly more expensive but convenient if you land before city stores open.

What you need

Passport (mandatory by Italian law — no ID, no SIM). A credit or debit card. About 15 minutes for activation and setup. The store employee will cut the SIM to your phone size and activate it.

Best plans for tourists (2026 prices)

TIM Tourist Plan: ~€30 for 30 days. 200GB data, 600 minutes EU calls. Solid coverage everywhere including rural areas.

Vodafone Holiday: ~€30 for 28 days. 100GB, unlimited calls. Good urban coverage.

Iliad: €9.99/month. 150GB data, unlimited calls. The budget champion. Coverage is excellent in cities, weaker in remote rural areas. Available from vending machines in malls and Iliad stores — no staff interaction needed.

WindTre: Various tourist offers, usually €15-25 for 30 days with 50-100GB.

Physical SIM vs eSIM

If your phone supports eSIM (iPhone XS or later, most Samsung Galaxy S20+), consider an eSIM instead — see our eSIM guide. No store visit required, instant activation, keeps your home SIM in the other slot for texts and calls.

💡 Iliad from a vending machine is the pro move if you're budget-conscious. €9.99, no human interaction, takes 5 minutes. Find machines in shopping centers (listed on iliad.it). You still need to scan your passport at the machine — bring it.

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