Best eSIM for Italy Travel in 2026
When arriving in Italy after a long journey, the last thing you want to do is get in line for a SIM card. To save time, you’ll want the best eSIM for Italy. Check out the top options in this guide.
Written by Kit Copson (Writer, Briefing Editor)
Reviewed by Sandra Pattison (Editor, Writer)
Facts checked by Eugenie Tiu (Editorial Assistant)
Last Updated:
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: These Are the Best eSIM for Italy
- Saily — A security-focused eSIM with features such as virtual location, an ad blocker and web protection. Try Saily today and get a 5% discount.
- Airalo — An eSIM with broad Europe coverage and a call-and-text global plan.
- Holafly — A provider specializing in unlimited data options.
- Nomad — Offers plans with up to 50GB and a free trial for Italy.
- Roamless — The best pay-as-you-go Italy eSIM with a free trial.
Facts & Expert Analysis About Italy eSIM Plans:
- eSIM Benefits: You can manage your travel eSIM plan via an app for convenience. eSIMs are also cheaper than an international roaming plan, and the prepayment pricing model is better for budgeting. Plus, there are no contracts involved.
- Plan types: Various eSIM plans are available for Italy, including fixed plans with a set number of gigabytes, unlimited plans and pay-as-you-go plans.
- Compatibility: It’s essential to confirm that your device is eSIM compatible before you buy a travel eSIM plan for Italy. Most modern phones are, but there are exceptions.
Whether marveling at the Colosseum or soaking up sights from a gondola, you’ll no doubt want to WhatsApp home about it. Perhaps you even plan on keeping Google Maps open in case you get lost in Venice’s winding lanes. To stay connected without paying a fortune for roaming or fumbling with a physical SIM, you can get the best eSIM for Italy.
Check out my guide to the best eSIMs for international travel for more options.
Cloudwards’ Choice: Saily
Cloudwards’ Choice: Saily
I chose Saily for traveling in Italy because it’s the whole package, with reasonable pricing, the best customer support I’ve experienced so far and extra security features. I recently had a flawless experience with Saily, streaming music and YouTube videos and using WhatsApp effortlessly while on a long train journey in Europe.
The 5 Best Italy eSIM Providers With Data Plans
| eSIM: | Starting Price (Italy) | Free eSIM Trial (Italy) | Europe Regional Plan Coverage | 5G/4G Support (Italy)* | Data Allowance (Italy) | Calls and Texts (Italy) | Unlimited Plans (Italy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $3.99 | 35 countries | 1GB-20GB | ||||
 | $4 | 42 countries | 1GB-50GB | * | |||
 | $3.90 | 33 countries | Unlimited | ||||
 | $4 | 35 & 36 countries | 1GB-50GB | ||||
 | $2.45 (pay-as-you-go), $3.95 (fixed) | 37 countries | 1GB-20GB | In-app calls (outgoing only) |
*Even if 4G or 5G speeds are supported, they may drop to 3G if the network is congested or you’re off the beaten track.
1. Saily — Best eSIM for Italy
Saily is Nord Security’s eSIM service, so it’s no wonder it’s so security-focused. I recommend Saily if you head overseas often or are concerned about your online privacy while traveling.
Hands-On Testing
Saily has always worked for me without issues. I’ve never had a bad experience with its customer support either, with agents offering quick, high-quality responses. They always get back to me right away. I go into more detail in my Saily review.
Pricing & Value
I’d describe Saily’s Italy plans, which start at $3.99 for 1GB, as reasonable price-wise, especially considering the security extras you get. That said, its Italy fixed plans (not including unlimited plans) go up to only 20GB, while some competitors offer up to 50GB, making Saily more ideal for light data use.
| Plan | 1GB (7 Days) | 3GB (30 Days) | 5GB (30 Days) | 10GB (30 Days) | 20GB (30 Days) | Unlimited Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | $3.99 | $8.99 | $12.99 | $20.99 | $28.99 | $18.99-$71.99 (5-30 days) |
2. Airalo — Best Italy eSIM With a Phone Number
Airalo partners with Vodafone, TIM, Wind Tre and Iliad in Italy to provide both fixed and unlimited plans. If you plan to travel to nearby countries as well, the 42-country Europe plan might be the best option.
Hands-On Testing
Airalo checks out as a reliable service, and it has made huge strides with customer support. Its agents used to be quite slow to respond, but I typically receive responses within seconds now.
Pricing & Value
Airalo’s three-day plans (1GB and 3GB) are relatively expensive at $4 and $7.50, respectively. You’ll save money with a package with longer validity. Learn more in my Airalo review.
| Plan | 3 Days | 30 Days | Unlimited Range | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 1GB: $4 3GB: $7.50 | 3GB: $8.50 5GB: $12 10GB: $19.50 | 5GB: $12.50 10GB: $20 20GB: $27.50 | 5GB: $13 10GB: $20.50 20GB: $28.50 50GB: $36 | $11.50-$72.50 (3-30 days) |
3. Holafly — User-Friendly Italy eSIM With Unlimited Data Plans
Spanish provider Holafly is ideal if you want to make sure you don’t run out of data during your trip. However, like all unlimited plans, network fair usage policies may apply. This means you could see a drop in speed if you exceed the network’s daily high-speed data usage quota.
Hands-On Testing
I experienced 4G speeds with Holafly and had no issues buying or installing my plan. The customer support team has always been friendly and efficient. Check out my full Holafly review for more details.
Pricing & Value
Unlimited plans are more expensive than fixed plans, so even a trip lasting just a few days can start to look quite pricey. The trade-off is not having to think about topping up your data.
You can choose any number of days up to 90. This table shows a few common validity periods.
| Plan | 1 Day | 5 Days | 10 Days | 15 Days | 30 Days | 90 Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | $3.90 | $19.50 | $36.90 | $50.90 | $74.90 | $139.90 |
4. Nomad — Best Free Trial eSIM for Italy
Nomad is a great choice for travelers who want a test run before committing to a mobile data plan, and it has a decent selection of fixed plans. However, its selection of unlimited plans is small. Find out more about the service in my Nomad review.
Hands-On Testing
Nomad’s human support team responded to my query in around five minutes. Though some competitors have replied faster, Nomad’s response time is still within my “green light” zone.
Pricing & Value
Many of Nomad’s fixed plans are cheaper than those offered by competitors like Saily and Airalo. The 50GB plan is in line with the competition, though ($36 for Airalo, $35 for Nomad).
| Plan | 1GB (7 Days) | 3GB (30 Days) | 5GB (30 Days) | 10GB (30 Days) | 20GB (30 Days) | 50GB (30 Days) | Unlimited Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | $4 | $6.50 | $9.50 | $15 | $20 | $35 | $11-$31 (3-10 days) |
5. Roamless — Best Pay-As-You-Go Italy eSIM
Roamless’ pay-as-you-go plan pages feature a dollar-to-gigabyte converter. You can use this to determine how much you’ll need to pay to get the amount of data you expect to use on your trip. For example, adding $25 will get you 10.2GB for Italy.
Hands-On Testing
The Roamless app is very simple, with a new live chat button if you need assistance. The chat button is a welcome recent addition, and I haven’t had any issues with it.
Pricing & Value
Roamless’ fixed plans are on the cheaper side, and you get 500MB free when you sign up. However, the pay-as-you-go plans can be a bit pricier, as shown below. Click over to my Roamless review for more on this provider.
You can add as many funds as you like on the pay-as-you-go plan. I’ve included a few examples to compare the two plan types.
| Plan | 1GB | 2GB | 3GB | 5GB | 10GB | 20GB | 50GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy Pay-As-You-Go | $2.45 | $4.90 | $7.35 | $12.25 | $24.50 | $49 | $122.50 |
| Italy Fixed | $3.95 | $5.95 | $7.45 | $10.95 | $17.45 | $24.95 | N/A |
Why Use an eSIM in Italy
Using an eSIM instead of a physical SIM card in Italy is safer (reduced risk of SIM-swapping), more practical and more environmentally friendly (no plastic packaging). An eSIM helps you keep roaming costs down and avoid the surprise fees of an international roaming plan.
How to Activate an Italy eSIM
Part of the setup process is making sure your eSIM can activate when you touch down in Italy. Here’s how:
- Double-check that your device is eSIM-compatible.
- Buy an eSIM plan for Italy via the provider’s app or website.
- Follow the provider’s installation instructions.
- When you’re ready to use the data, go into your phone’s cellular settings on iOS or network and internet settings on Android.
- Go to the SIM area. Confirm that the eSIM is enabled as the data source.
- Turn on data roaming.
- If you’re in Italy, your plan should automatically connect you to a local network.
Methodology: How We Tested the Best Italy Mobile eSIM Plans
When reviewing an eSIM provider, I always buy a plan and try it out myself. This gives me an idea of how smooth the service is, from purchasing a plan to navigating the app and seeking help. I also consider these key metrics:
- Unique features: It’s hard to be unique in the eSIM industry, so I look for standout features that add value. This may include advanced security settings, special plan types, free trials or travel perks.
- Pricing: I compare each provider’s pricing to that of competitors to make sure it’s not too outside the norm. If it’s more expensive than usual, I explore why that might be.
- Customer support: I check how long it takes to get a response to queries, as efficient customer support is essential if you’re having difficulties with your plan.
- User-friendliness: Streamlined apps that are easy to navigate make all the difference, especially if you’re a beginner.
Final Thoughts
eSIM compatibility is a major pro for travelers, whether they’re headed to Italy, multiple European countries or elsewhere in the world. It means no fiddling around with or losing physical SIMs, or blowing part of your budget on expensive roaming fees. My top eSIM recommendation for Italian travel is Saily.
Have you decided on an eSIM for Italy? If so, which one and why? Drop a comment below. Thanks for reading.
FAQ: Best eSIM Card for Italy
Saily, which specializes in security, is the best and most well-rounded eSIM for Italy.
Both work well, but Airalo, which has a broader range of Italy plans, is better for Italy.
Using an eSIM in Italy is typically cheaper than using an international roaming plan.