Travel Italy eSIM | TIM, Vodafone & WindTre Coverage
Roami
Roami is a global eSIM carrier focused on travel connectivity. This guide is compiled from network data, official carrier and manufacturer documentation, and traveler inquiries.
📑 Table of Contents
The deciding question is simple — which carrier should your Italy eSIM connect to? The four national networks are not interchangeable. On Ookla’s 1H 2025 Italy report, Vodafone was named the Best Mobile Network and Best 5G Network, with a Speedtest Connectivity Score of 75.95. WINDTRE posted the highest 5G availability at 74.8 percent. TIM led the video streaming experience at 76.53. Iliad offered the best headline value and the highest user rating at 3.34. Which one is best depends entirely on where you are going, so the best eSIM carrier for Italy is a routing decision, not a brand decision. This is the Italy version of the talk we give friends the night before they fly, stripped of jargon.
Quick answer: Pick TIM for the widest footprint, WINDTRE for the lowest cost per gigabyte, and install your eSIM before departure either way. The sections that follow — Italy speeds, prices, registration rules — unpack that split in detail.
The best carrier still leans on the profile install behind it — if either part feels shaky, begin with eSIM compatibility tool and eSIM activation guide. Then come back for the network verdicts.
The one-paragraph answer: Staying in Rome, Milan, Florence or Venice? Vodafone and TIM run the fastest and most consistent 5G in the cities. Ferrying to Capri or driving the Amalfi cliffs? TIM’s 700 MHz low band reaches where the others fade. Want the cheapest plan? Iliad lands around EUR 9.99 for 150 GB but is less predictable in the mountains. Want to buy straight from an Italian carrier as a visitor? Expect a passport, a possible tax code, and often a physical SIM rather than a clean remote eSIM. Or skip the paperwork: no-charge test eSIM tests the networks at no cost before you compare Italy eSIM plans.
Which carriers host your eSIM in Italy?
This page compares the four networks on reach, speed and price, and walks through the APN and installation steps. The other half of the question — whether a visitor can walk into a shop and leave with a local eSIM, and what paperwork stands in the way — sits in what the counter asks for before it sells you one.
TIM, Vodafone, WINDTRE and Iliad, compared for visitors
| TIM | Vodafone | WINDTRE | Iliad | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepaid eSIM for travelers | Tourist plan is physical SIM only; standard eSIM at a store | eSIM on plans at a store counter | Tourist Pass Digital can be an eSIM bought online, picked up in store | eSIM supported, via store or self service kiosk |
| Where it leads | Best rural and mountain reach, strong video score | Best overall network and fastest speed score | Highest 5G availability, large tower footprint | Cheapest high data plans, top user rating |
| Cheapest way in | TIM Tourist: EUR 24.99 all in for 200 GB | Dolce Vita Start: EUR 14.95 per month | Tourist Pass Digital: EUR 25 headline | Giga 150: about EUR 9.99 per month for 150 GB |
| Getting connected on arrival | ★★ — passport plus possible tax code, in store | ★★ — passport, staff set up the eSIM | ★★★ — buy online, eSIM issued, collect on arrival | ★★ — passport, Simbox kiosk or store |
Where the registration wall appears: Italy’s carriers do sell eSIMs, but a clean, walk-up, fully remote prepaid eSIM for a foreign visitor is the exception rather than the rule. TIM’s tourist product is a physical SIM, Vodafone and TIM issue eSIM at a counter, WINDTRE comes closest to remote yet still needs collection on arrival, and Iliad demands an in-person step. The cause is registration — every Italian SIM is tied to a verified identity, and the checks assume Italian residency.
TIM vs Vodafone: which Italy carrier is faster?
Italy’s wholesale tier resells TIM, Vodafone and WINDTRE capacity under cheaper labels, and it is where a visitor finds simpler prepaid data.
| Virtual brand | Host network | eSIM support | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fastweb Mobile | Own network plus Vodafone sharing | eSIM supported | City stays and Milan focused trips |
| Kena Mobile | TIM | Prepaid eSIM | Budget travelers who want TIM reach cheaply |
| ho. Mobile | Vodafone | Prepaid eSIM | Short urban stays on the Vodafone network |
| Very Mobile | WINDTRE | Prepaid eSIM | Cheapest entry on the WINDTRE footprint |
| PosteMobile | Vindirect plus Vodafone | eSIM supported | Visitors already using Poste Italiane services |
Two cautions. First, these budget brands cap data speeds and deprioritize during congestion, which is exactly when a packed Venice piazza or a Rome Termini platform hurts most. Second, a plan bought from any of these brands is tied to one network. You get TIM’s towers on Kena and nobody else’s, which matters the moment you leave the city or drop into a valley.
TIM vs Vodafone: which is better in Italy?
| Direct from an Italy carrier | Travel eSIM on an Italian network | |
|---|---|---|
| What you need | Passport; many routes also want a codice fiscale; tourist plans sometimes physical SIM only | A compatible, unlocked phone |
| How the profile arrives | In store setup, or a carrier issued QR code after identity checks | QR code or app install immediately after checkout |
| Typical 200 GB cost | TIM Tourist about EUR 24.99 all in; WINDTRE about EUR 25; Vodafone per month tiers | A single upfront price, no SIM fee, no tax code |
| Network access | One carrier | Automatic switching between TIM, Vodafone, WINDTRE and Iliad |
| Best for | Stays of a month or more, or anyone who needs an Italian phone number | Trips of one to three weeks, and anyone who wants to be online on landing |
For a typical Italian holiday the cheaper route is a travel eSIM. A local prepaid plan is cheap per gigabyte but adds a passport appointment, a possible tax code, and a SIM fee, and it locks you to one network. Where the carrier wins is longevity and voice: a real Italian number, unlimited domestic calling, and a plan that still works in month six.
A multi network eSIM profile is the practical middle path: Roami’s Italy eSIM keeps the convenience of instant delivery, switches automatically between TIM, Vodafone, WINDTRE and Iliad, and still lands you on TIM in the Amalfi gorges and Vodafone in Milan without buying twice.
Is your phone compatible with an Italy eSIM carrier?
Three things decide whether your phone works on an Italian carrier: its bands, its lock status, and a short list of device specific quirks. All three are covered below.
Will my phone work with an Italy eSIM?
Italian carriers build 5G on specific bands, notably n78 at 3500 MHz for capacity, n1 at 2100 MHz, and n28 at 700 MHz for reach into stone buildings and valleys. Their 4G uses B1, B3, B7, B8, B20 at 800 MHz and B28 at 700 MHz. Plenty of international handsets, including several iPhone regional variants, ship without the low band n28. Those phones still work: they fall back to LTE once you leave dense urban areas, which is fine downtown and frustrating in a cliff village.
Band tables are not worth memorising before a trip. What actually works is checking the specific model number against the device compatibility list. If the mechanics matter more than the carrier list, read what happens when a phone loads an eSIM profile.
Is your phone eSIM-ready for Italy?
A locked phone is the most common reason an Italy eSIM install simply fails. Italy has its own rules here. Under Italian SIM locking law, carriers must disclose any subsidy, a subscriber can obtain an unlock code after nine months by paying half the listed subsidy, and the lock must be removed within eighteen months. Across the EU more broadly, SIM unlocking must be performed free of charge once any commitment period ends.
Check it: iPhone, go to Settings, General, About, Carrier Lock. If the screen reports “No SIM restrictions”, the phone is unlocked for any profile. When the screen reports “SIM locked”, outside profiles are blocked until the lock is lifted.
Fix it: ask the operator holding the lock to remove it. Devices that are paid off are normally cleared within hours, and there is no fee under EU and most home carrier rules. Only then try installing your Italy eSIM.
If you bought a used phone, or a phone on a plan, assume it may be locked and check before you fly.
Italy IMEI and EID checks
| Device | Symptom | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland China iPhone models | No Add eSIM option at all, the hardware is disabled in that market | Not fixable; use a physical SIM or another device |
| Carrier purchased phone from the US, Canada or Japan | SIM not allowed on an Italian profile | Unlock through the home carrier before travel |
| International handsets without n28 or n1 | Fast in cities, LTE only in rural areas | Expected behavior; see the region notes below |
| Dual SIM users | eSIM installed but no data | Set the eSIM as the line used for mobile data |
Anything beyond this is device specific rather than carrier specific. Check your handset in the eSIM compatibility quiz before you pay for anything.
What tourist data plans cost in Italy
Four routes exist, and they differ more in paperwork than in price: TIM for the widest reach, Vodafone for city speed, WINDTRE for 5G availability, and Iliad for price. Each route, step by step.
Can you buy an Italy eSIM from TIM?
TIM is the old incumbent and the safest choice when you will spend time outside tourist centres, but its tourist product is deliberately simple.
TIM’s TIM Tourist plan is physical SIM only. It gives 200 GB of 5G data in Italy, 23 GB usable across the EU, unlimited domestic minutes plus 100 international minutes, for 30 days. The published total is EUR 24.99, made of a EUR 14.99 plan plus a EUR 10 SIM, with free activation. You buy it at a TIM store, a Rome Fiumicino or Milan Malpensa airport counter, or a tabacchi, with your passport. TIM does support eSIM on its standard plans, but activating one as a foreign visitor normally means a store visit and an identity check rather than a remote QR code.
Can visitors get a Vodafone Italy eSIM?
Vodafone Italy is the fastest network in the big cities and the easiest for English language support, and it does support eSIM on its plans.
Vodafone’s visitor product is the Dolce Vita range. Dolce Vita Start gives 100 GB of 5G, 25 GB of EU data and 200 minutes for EUR 14.95 per month. Dolce Vita Ultra gives 300 GB, 41 GB EU and the same minutes for EUR 24.95 per month. Vodafone advertises zero activation fee, though it does not always publish a separate SIM card charge, so confirm the full total at the counter. The eSIM is issued in store after your passport is scanned, and staff handle the setup.
Does WINDTRE sell a prepaid eSIM to visitors?
WINDTRE is the only one of the four that sells a tourist plan online with an eSIM option, which makes it the most visitor friendly on paper.
The Tourist Pass Digital gives 200 GB of 5G, 23 GB of EU data, unlimited Italian minutes and 100 minutes to 53 countries, for 30 days. The headline price is EUR 25, but the same official page’s fine print adds a EUR 10 SIM cost and a small iMessage related amount, so budget up to about EUR 35. You buy it online before you fly and collect the eSIM or SIM at a WINDTRE store or airport kiosk on arrival. It is reserved for new foreign customers without an Italian tax code, and it cannot be renewed on the same line.
Is Iliad eSIM available to tourists?
Iliad is the price disruptor, with transparent low cost high data plans, but it has the fewest staffed stores and the weakest rural predictability.
Iliad’s Giga 150 plan gives 150 GB of 5G, unlimited calls and EU roaming under fair use for about EUR 9.99 per month. Iliad supports eSIM, and because it runs a network of self service Simbox vending machines in shopping centres, you can issue a card or eSIM against your ID document in minutes. The trade off is less predictable coverage once you leave the main transport corridors, and customer support that is mostly digital.
Who runs mobile networks in Italy?
| Carrier | Plan | Data in Italy | EU data | Voice | Validity | Upfront price EUR | eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIM | TIM Tourist | 200 GB 5G | 23 GB | Unlimited IT plus 100 intl min | 30 days | 24.99 | Physical SIM only |
| Vodafone | Dolce Vita Start | 100 GB 5G | 25 GB | 200 min IT and 40 countries | 30 days | 14.95 per month | In store |
| Vodafone | Dolce Vita Ultra | 300 GB 5G | 41 GB | 200 min IT and 40 countries | 30 days | 24.95 per month | In store |
| WINDTRE | Tourist Pass Digital | 200 GB 5G | 23 GB | Unlimited IT plus 100 min to 53 countries | 30 days | 25 headline, 10 SIM in fine print | Online, collect on arrival |
| Iliad | Giga 150 | 150 GB 5G | Fair use EU | Unlimited calls | Monthly | about 9.99 | eSIM or SIM, self service |
Prices and terms shift often, so treat the table as a snapshot taken in 2026 and confirm the final amount before you pay.
Where to purchase an Italy eSIM
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Passport | Mandatory for every prepaid SIM and eSIM in Italy |
| Codice fiscale | Needed for standard and monthly plans; airport and carrier stores generate one from your passport |
| IMEI | Dial *#06# to confirm the device |
| EID | Also on the *#06# screen; the eSIM identifier |
| Unlocked phone | Required for any non resident eSIM or SIM |
| A card that works in Italy | Some carrier checkouts reject foreign billing addresses |
| Wi-Fi | Install the profile before you fly, not at the airport |
New customers can apply code WEB20 for 20% off when they get an Italy eSIM plan, or claim a free Italy trial eSIM first to test the networks at no cost.
How TIM, Vodafone, WINDTRE and Iliad compare on speed
This section answers two things: real performance where you will be, and which kind of trip you are planning. The numbers below settle performance, and the trip table settles which operator fits your route.
Which carrier is fastest?
All figures below come from Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence data for Italy 1H 2025 (collection period January to June 2025) and are national level measurements across the five carriers Ookla scored.
| Metric | Vodafone | WINDTRE | Fastweb | TIM | Iliad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speedtest Connectivity Score | 75.95 (best) | 74.84 | 74.47 | 72.15 | 70.64 |
| Speed Score | 65.73 (fastest) | 65.23 | 64.17 | 58.66 | 55.97 |
| Consistency Score | 89.2 | 89.2 | 87.3 | 85.3 | 88.8 |
| 5G Availability | 49.2 | 74.8 (highest) | 71.6 | 68.9 | 68.6 |
| Video Streaming Score | 76.49 | 74.68 | 75.15 | 76.53 (best) | 74.95 |
| Game Score | 84.62 (best) | 83.78 | 83.87 | 84.45 | 80.33 |
| 5 Star Rating | 3.23 | 3.11 | 2.95 | 2.76 | 3.34 (highest) |
Source: Ookla Speedtest Connectivity Report, Italy 1H 2025, available at https://www.ookla.com/research/reports/italy-speedtest-connectivity-report-h1-2025.
Where no data was published the cell is blank, with no estimated value inserted. Two things worth noticing: Vodafone wins on the composite Connectivity Score and raw Speed Score yet trails badly on 5G Availability at 49.2 percent, because its 5G is concentrated in cities rather than blanket coverage. WINDTRE wins availability but sits mid pack on speed. TIM’s quiet strength is the video score, the metric that matters most for streaming and video calls. Iliad takes the highest user rating at 3.34 despite the lowest consistency among the four majors, which tells you how much travelers value its price.
For context on the country as a whole, DataReportal’s Digital 2025 Italy report puts the national median mobile download at about 85.39 Mbps at the end of 2025, and Cable.co.uk prices 1 GB of Italian mobile data at roughly USD 0.09, second cheapest in the world. Italy is a genuinely cheap place to buy data once you are on a local network.
Italy eSIM advice by traveler type
| The trip | Best-fit carrier | Why | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| City break, Rome Milan Florence Venice | Vodafone or TIM | Both excellent downtown; Vodafone fastest, TIM most consistent | Rome metro tunnels have weak signal on every carrier |
| Amalfi Coast cliff towns | TIM | 700 MHz n28 reaches deep into limestone gorges | Vodafone and WINDTRE weaker in the ravines |
| Ferry hopping Naples Capri Sorrento | TIM | Strong maritime line of sight from hilltop sites | Iliad drops most often mid crossing |
| Skiing the Dolomites | TIM | Best low band rural reach | Above the tree line there is no signal at all |
| Budget long stay | Iliad | Cheapest 150 GB at about EUR 9.99 | Less predictable once you leave the corridors |
| Best 5G everywhere | WINDTRE | 74.8 percent on 5G most of the time | Lower raw speed than Vodafone |
| Gaming and video calls | Vodafone or TIM | Top game and video scores | None major in cities |
| Multi country Europe | A Europe travel eSIM | EU roaming built in | A local SIM roams but with a capped allowance |
Where TIM’s 700 MHz beats Vodafone, region by region
Italian 5G clusters around the metropolitan areas, thins along secondary roads and stops above the tree line. The route-by-route picture:
| Region | Reality on the ground | Best carrier | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rome and Lazio | Cities are the strongest part of the map, 5G on every major network | TIM or Vodafone | Rome metro tunnels have poor signal on all carriers |
| Milan Turin and the north | Dense urban 5G, strong across the Po valley | WINDTRE or Vodafone | None major |
| Naples Amalfi and the south | Urban coverage dependable; cliff villages need low band | TIM on n28 | Positano and Ravello gorges; ferries drop mid crossing |
| Sicily and Sardinia | Reliable on the main islands and resorts; interiors patchy | TIM or Vodafone | Ferry arrival gaps; inland Sardinia is thin |
| Alps and Dolomites | Ski resorts and valley roads fine; high altitude not | TIM | Above the tree line there is no signal |
| Venice and the lagoon | Dense urban, congested at peak season | Vodafone | Summer crowds overload cells; acqua alta disrupts footing, not signal |
Planning a route that leaves Italy? Start with the France eSIM guide, compare the Switzerland eSIM guide, or look at the Greece eSIM page. If your itinerary crosses borders more than once, a Europe eSIM saves you buying twice.
Automatic switching between operators is what makes this practical. A profile that can move between TIM, Vodafone and WINDTRE covers the regional gaps that any single carrier plan cannot, and Roami’s Italy eSIM does exactly this without a passport appointment.
How do I set the APN for an Italian SIM?
You will probably never open the APN screen, but it explains most sudden data failures. The table below lists every operator value, the situations that require typing them in, and where to find the screen.
APN values for TIM, Vodafone and WINDTRE eSIMs
You will only need these if you bought a SIM or eSIM directly from an Italian carrier. If the profile comes from a travel eSIM it already holds the Italian APN.
| Carrier | APN | Username | Password |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIM | ibox.tim.it |
blank | blank |
| Vodafone | mobile.vodafone.it |
blank | blank |
| WINDTRE | internet.it |
blank | blank |
| Iliad | iliad |
blank | blank |
Leave username and password empty. If a carrier requires values, the activation instructions that came with your profile will state them.
Italy carrier APN values
Automatic configuration covers most Italian profiles; these are the cases that still need the values above typed in.
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An older handset that does not pick up carrier settings automatically
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A profile installed with a manual activation code instead of a QR scan
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A carrier issued prepaid eSIM where automatic configuration did not run
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A hotspot that connects but will not share data, which on Android needs
dunadded to the APN type -
Almost never on a travel eSIM, which is the point of a managed profile
When to type in an Italy APN by hand
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iPhone: Settings, Cellular, tap the eSIM line, Cellular Data Network, enter the APN
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Android: Settings, Connections, Mobile Networks, Access Point Names, add a new APN
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iPhone hotspot: in the same Cellular Data Network screen, also fill Personal Hotspot with the same APN or the hotspot option may disappear
After saving, restart the phone. Should data still fail, verify the selected data line is the Italian profile and not your home card.
Getting your Italy eSIM installed and working
One run through this section gets you from a clean install to working data and covers the failure patterns Italian networks actually produce, ordered by when you’ll hit them.
Adding an Italy eSIM to your device
| # | Check | What good looks like |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phone is not carrier locked | Carrier Lock in About shows No SIM restrictions |
| 2 | Phone supports eSIM | *#06# shows an EID, or the compatibility lookup tool confirms your model |
| 3 | QR code and activation code saved | Screenshot stored on the phone and in cloud storage |
| 4 | Profile installed before departure | Install on Wi-Fi at home; the profile connects when you land |
| 5 | Data line and roaming set | eSIM selected for mobile data, data roaming on |
Do step 4 at home. Fiumicino and Malpensa arrivals halls have congested Wi-Fi exactly when you need it most, and a profile you install on the ground competes with everyone else’s.
How a TIM, Vodafone, WINDTRE or Iliad profile arrives
Our step-by-step activation guide covers the standard Add eSIM, QR scan and data-line sequence. Italian carriers diverge in how the profile is issued:
| Carrier | How a visitor gets the eSIM |
|---|---|
| TIM | Tourist plan is physical SIM only; standard eSIM activated in store with passport |
| Vodafone | eSIM on plans at a store counter after identity checks |
| WINDTRE | Tourist Pass Digital can be an eSIM bought online, collected on arrival |
| Iliad | eSIM supported, issued at a store or Simbox kiosk against ID |
| Travel eSIM | Installed by QR code, the same profile roams onto whichever of TIM, Vodafone, WINDTRE or Iliad is strongest |
No connection? Four repairs for an Italy eSIM
General activation errors, a profile that will not download, a scan that fails, an eSIM that installs but never registers, are covered in our eSIM problem-solving guide. The four patterns below are the Italy specific ones.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Installed but stuck on slow GPRS inside a historic centre | Thick stone walls block mid band 5G and 4G | Switch network selection manually to TIM, whose 700 MHz n28 penetrates buildings |
| No signal mid ferry between Naples and Capri or Sorrento | Expected on open water, worst on Iliad | Download offline maps before boarding; accept the gap or use TIM |
| SIM not allowed on a phone locked to a non EU carrier | Device is carrier locked | Unlock through the home carrier before travel; no Italian eSIM will help |
| Data works but hotspot fails | APN type missing dun on Android, or empty Personal Hotspot on iPhone | Add dun to APN type, or fill the Personal Hotspot APN on iPhone, then restart |
Which carrier should you pick: TIM vs Vodafone?
| Information | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Order or account number | Confirmation email |
| Phone model and OS version | Settings, About |
| EID | *#06# |
| Screenshot of the error | Take it before the screen changes |
| Current APN settings | Settings, Cellular Data Network |
| Data roaming status | Settings, Cellular, your eSIM line |
| Steps already tried | Keep a short list |
Traveller questions about Italy eSIMs
Local SIM versus visitor eSIM in Italy
Direct means one network, carrier issued provisioning, and often a passport plus tax code; in exchange you get a real Italian number and unlimited domestic calling. A travel eSIM means instant delivery, no paperwork, automatic switching between TIM, Vodafone, WINDTRE and Iliad, and a fixed upfront price. Short trip: travel eSIM. Long stays in Italy change the math: a carrier-direct SIM makes more sense.
Can you buy Vodafone’s tourist eSIM?
Yes, on its plans, but at a store counter rather than remotely. Vodafone’s Dolce Vita visitor range starts at EUR 14.95 per month for 100 GB, issued as an eSIM after your passport is scanned in store. If you want the Vodafone network without the appointment, a travel eSIM that rides Vodafone is the faster route.
TIM vs Vodafone 5G: which is better in Italy?
For availability, yes. WINDTRE led Ookla’s 1H 2025 Italy report with 74.8 percent 5G availability, against TIM’s 68.9 percent. For rural and mountain reach, TIM is still the stronger pick because of its 700 MHz low band. Choose WINDTRE for being on 5G as often as possible in towns, TIM for signal where the terrain is hard.
Rural coverage in Italy: TIM vs Vodafone
TIM, on the evidence and on the ground. Its low band n28 at 700 MHz propagates through limestone gorges and into mountain valleys where Vodafone’s capacity layered 5G and Iliad’s thinner network struggle. No carrier covers the high Dolomites above the tree line, so download offline maps regardless.
Do I need an Italian tax code to buy a SIM?
For short tourist plans, usually no. Italy requires a passport for every prepaid line, but the tourist products from TIM, Vodafone and WINDTRE are designed to activate on a passport alone, and carrier or airport stores will generate a tax code from your passport if a standard plan needs one. Budget brands and monthly contracts are more likely to ask for the codice fiscale up front.
Handsets that struggle in Italy
It needs to be unlocked and eSIM capable. Check both in one pass with the eSIM compatibility checker, which covers EID support and the band question, including the n28 and n1 5G bands that many international handsets lack. If the install process is what puzzles you, how eSIM activation works walks through it.
Unlocking a carrier-locked phone for Italy
Ask the carrier it is locked to, usually your home carrier. Under EU rules SIM unlocking is free after any commitment period, and Italian law caps how long a lock can last. Paid off devices are usually cleared within hours. Check status at Settings, General, About, Carrier Lock before you fly.
The most affordable Italy plans
Iliad, at about EUR 9.99 per month for 150 GB with unlimited calls and EU roaming under fair use, no long term commitment. The trade off is less predictable coverage outside the main corridors and mostly digital support. Above the allowance Iliad follows a fair use policy rather than charging overage.
Can you run a home SIM and an Italy eSIM together?
Yes, and it is a sensible setup. Leave your home number for voice and verification, and route Italian data through the eSIM. In Settings, give data duty to the Italian profile and keep the home line for calls. Disable roaming on the home card so background data does not run up charges.
How much data should I preload for Italy?
Because you are crossing open water where the nearest mast is kilometres away, and the handoff between coastal cells drops. It is expected on every carrier and worst on Iliad. Download offline maps of Capri before you board, and do not rely on streaming during the crossing.
TIM eSIM plans for visitors
Not the tourist plan. TIM’s TIM Tourist product is a physical SIM, bought at a TIM store or airport counter with a passport for EUR 24.99 all in. TIM does sell eSIMs on its regular plans, yet getting one as a visitor usually involves a store visit and an identity check rather than a remote QR code.
The eSIM chip inside your phone that holds an Italian profile
An eSIM replaces the plastic card with a chip fixed inside the phone; the profile arrives over the air, the chip stores it, and the line behaves like any other. what eSIM activation is and how it works explains the SM-DP+ handshake and why each QR code is single-use.
More questions? View the full FAQ →
Sources behind our Italy eSIM carrier figures
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Every carrier-level number here traces to the Ookla Speedtest Connectivity Report for Italy, 1H 2025 — open the per-carrier report for Vodafone’s 75.95 Connectivity Score and 65.73 Speed Score, WINDTRE’s 74.8 percent 5G availability, TIM’s 76.53 video score and Iliad’s 3.34 user rating.
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The national median mobile download is drawn from the Ookla Speedtest Global Index — the Italy listing, refreshed each month.
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Italy’s roughly USD 0.09 average price per gigabyte comes from the Cable.co.uk worldwide data pricing survey — the global cost of 1GB table.
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Market context and the national median mobile speed are backed by DataReportal’s Digital 2025 Italy report — the country report.
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Plan prices, delivery methods and identification rules were taken from the operators themselves: Vodafone Italy, WINDTRE and Iliad. Spotted a figure that’s past its sell-by date? Our support team would like to know.
Third party measurements only. Real-world results vary with the handset, the band in use and how loaded the local cell is. Italy’s communications regulator, AGCOM, sets the licensing and coverage obligations behind these networks.
Get your Italy eSIM ready before you fly
One profile, four networks. Roami’s Italy eSIM rides TIM, Vodafone, WINDTRE and Iliad, hopping between them as you cross the country. Test the networks free with the Italy free trial eSIM, then unlock 20% off with code WEB20 on Italy eSIM plans.
New customers only, one code per order
