Internet in Italy for travellers: which eSIM to choose
For Italy we sell plans by the GB, with no daily cap, and an unlimited GB plan with 3 GB a day. Here are the numbers to help you choose, at today’s prices.
Which plan suits you, by number of days
| Trip | By the GB | Unlimited GB |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | 1 GB · €3.95 | €9.95 |
| 7 days | 10 GB · €10.95 | €19.95 |
| 15 days | 20 GB · €17.95 | €36.95 |
| 30 days | 50 GB · €34.95 | €64.95 |
Prices include VAT and are the same as on the Italy page. Validity: the 1 GB plan, 7 days; 3 to 50 GB, 30 days.
A weekend break in Rome or Milan is covered by the small plan if your accommodation has wifi. For two weeks travelling around the country, look at the 20 GB plans. And if you’re not sure, work it out in two minutes.
When unlimited is worth it, and when it isn’t
A week of unlimited GB costs €19.95. For less money you get 20 GB (€17.95), almost 3 GB a day, and whatever you don’t use one day carries over to the next.
- City sightseeing: a plan by the GB. Maps, messaging, photos and social media fit comfortably into 10 GB for a week.
- Video, music all day or sharing data with another phone: unlimited. Every day you get the full 3 GB at top speed again.
- A month: 50 GB for €34.95 against €64.95 for unlimited.
What unlimited includes, exactly
3 GB a day at full speed and, once you’ve used them, 1 Mbps until the next day.
At 1 Mbps, messaging, maps and browsing still work; high-quality video doesn’t. It’s written on the plan card, next to the price: how “unlimited” plans work, and why we’d rather tell you before we charge you.
Where your traffic goes out
In Italy, your traffic goes out through France, the Netherlands or the UK, depending on the connection.
In other words, websites won’t always see you in Italy. For maps, messaging, social media and video, nothing changes; what may change is the language a site greets you in, a search engine’s local results, or an extra security check from your bank. We say so here, and it’s on the destination page before you buy.
The network is 5G, with whatever coverage each area has.
How to activate it
- Install it at home, on wifi. It doesn’t use data or start counting the days.
- When you arrive, turn on data roaming for the eSIM line.
- The days start with your first connection to an Italian network.
The steps for each phone model are in the installation guide, and the compatibility checker tells you whether your phone supports eSIM.
Frequently asked questions about internet in Italy
Do I keep my usual number and WhatsApp?
Yes. The eSIM is data-only: your SIM stays in the phone with your number, and WhatsApp works as normal.
What if I’m also visiting other countries in Europe?
This plan is for Italy only. For several countries there’s the Europe eSIM, with its list of countries on its page.
How many GB will I use in a week?
It depends on what you do, not on the country. The data calculator gives you a range based on your habits.
What happens when I use up the day’s 3 GB on the unlimited plan?
It drops to 1 Mbps until the next day; it doesn’t cut off.
Can I top up halfway through the trip?
There’s no top-up on the website at the moment: you would need to buy another plan. That’s why it pays to choose with some margin.
Our pick for a week in Italy
The 10 GB plan for €10.95, valid for 30 days. For video or sharing data, the 7-day unlimited plan for €19.95.