Do I need an eSIM in Italy if I have EU roaming?

EU roaming is possible, but many German plans limit the data you can use abroad or slow the speed after a set allowance. If you navigate a lot in Italy, book tickets online or upload photos, you benefit from an eSIM of your own with full data speed on the TIM network.

Does the eSIM also work in remote regions such as the Dolomites or Sicily?

Yes. TIM covers 98% of the Italian population, including tourist regions such as the Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast, Sardinia and Sicily. In very remote mountain valleys reception can be weaker, but in all the usual travel regions you get a stable 4G signal.

How much data do I need for a trip to Italy?

For a one-week city trip with navigation, restaurant searches and social media, we recommend 3–5 GB. If you stream heavily, make video calls or plan longer road trips, a 10 GB plan or an unlimited plan is the better fit.

Do I have to register an eSIM in Italy?

No. Unlike local SIM cards, which in Italy occasionally require an identity document, a Reisechip eSIM needs no separate registration with Italian authorities. You simply install it with a QR code before you leave.

Can I use the eSIM on a trip through several cities in Italy?

Yes, absolutely. The eSIM works across all of Italy, whether you start in Rome, travel on through Florence and Bologna to Venice or head along the west coast towards Naples. The TIM network goes with you everywhere with a stable 4G or 5G signal.

How much does an eSIM for Italy cost?

eSIM data plans for Italy start at €0.99. You pay once for the data you choose — no contract, no monthly fee and no surprise roaming bill. Bigger data packs and longer validity cost more.

Which mobile networks does the eSIM use in Italy?

In Italy the eSIM connects automatically to local networks such as TIM, Vodafone Italia, WindTre, Iliad, on 4G/LTE and on 5G where it is available. Coverage in populated areas is around 98% of the population. Your phone always picks the strongest network nearby.

Will I keep my German phone number with an eSIM in Italy?

Yes. Your German SIM and number stay active, and the travel eSIM runs alongside it as a data-only plan. You stay reachable on WhatsApp, iMessage or over Wi-Fi while browsing on the local network. Normal calls and texts still go through your German number, where roaming charges may apply.

Can I top up or extend my Italy data plan?

Yes. When your data runs out or the plan expires, just buy another pack. The eSIM profile already on your phone stays in place, so there is nothing to reinstall and you stay online without a break.

Can I use the eSIM as a Wi-Fi hotspot in Italy?

Yes. You can share the connection with a laptop, tablet or a travel companion through your phone's personal hotspot. Hotspot use comes out of the same data allowance, so choose a slightly larger pack if you plan to tether.

Should I install the eSIM before I leave or after I arrive?

Install it at home over Wi-Fi before you travel. The data plan switches on automatically when your phone joins a network in Italy, so you are online the moment you land instead of hunting for airport Wi-Fi.

Will the eSIM work on my phone?

It works on any eSIM-capable phone, including iPhone XS and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later and Google Pixel 3 and later. The phone must also be unlocked (not tied to one network). To check yours, look for "Add eSIM" under Mobile Data or Connections in your settings.

eSIM plans for Italy

Instant delivery

Italy: your travel eSIM from €0.99 works as soon as you land and connects to TIM, Vodafone Italia, WindTre, Iliad (4G/LTE where available), network coverage 98% of the population. Install it by QR code before you leave Germany — no roaming charges, no SIM swap.

Your selection

Select a plan

Payment methods

Instant email delivery
30-day refund on unused eSIMs
Support in English
Visa · Mastercard · Maestro · Apple Pay · PayPal

eSIM for Italy at a glance

Price from: €0.99
Local networks: TIM, Vodafone Italia, WindTre, Iliad
Technology: 4G/LTE & 5G
Network coverage: 98% of the population
Activation: QR code — install before you leave
Suggested data: 1–3 GB light use · 5 GB with social media · 10 GB+ streaming

All eSIM plans for Italy

Data	Validity	Price
Unlimited	1 day	€0.99
Unlimited	3 days	€3.49
Unlimited	5 days	€5.99
Unlimited	7 days	€7.99
Unlimited	10 days	€10.99
Unlimited	15 days	€15.99
Unlimited	30 days	€30.99
1 GB	7 days	€1.99
2 GB	15 days	€2.49
3 GB	30 days	€2.99
5 GB	30 days	€3.99
10 GB	30 days	€6.49
20 GB	30 days	€10.99
50 GB	30 days	€23.49

Italy seduces with its artistic treasures, la dolce vita and a cuisine that has no equal. Whether you are threading through the queues at the Colosseum in Rome, looking for the right vaporetto stop in Venice's narrow lanes or exploring the winding Amalfi Coast with Google Maps, reliable mobile data is essential. With a Reisechip eSIM you use TIM's fast network and are online as soon as you land. No SIM swap at the airport and no hidden roaming costs: just scan the QR code in advance and travel relaxed.

Flight time from Germany

about 1.5–2 hours

Time zone

UTC+1 (same as CET)

Best time to travel

June–September

Plug type

Type C/F/L (no adapter needed)

Why get an eSIM for Italy?

Although EU roaming technically works in Italy, many German mobile providers cap your data abroad or slow the speed after a few gigabytes. In Italy especially, where you navigate a lot, check restaurant reviews and book tickets for the Colosseum or the Uffizi online in advance, that is quickly not enough. With a Reisechip eSIM you use the TIM network with its 98% coverage, including 5G in the big cities. Whether in Sicily, the Dolomites or Cinque Terre, reception is stable. It is especially handy that you need no physical SIM card and your German number stays active for calls and messages. You set up the eSIM at home, and once you arrive in Italy you can get going straight away.

What is network coverage like in Italy?

Network operator

TIM

+ Vodafone Italia

Technology

4G/LTE & 5G

Coverage

98% of the population

How do I install an eSIM for Italy?

1
Buy a plan
Pick the data plan for Italy that fits your trip and check out.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email with your QR code and scan it with your phone's camera while you are still in Germany.
3
Add the eSIM
Follow the steps on your phone to add the eSIM as a data plan. Your German SIM stays in place.
4
Go online
Switch on the eSIM when you land in Italy and you are online straight away.

1
Buy a plan
Pick the data plan for Italy that fits your trip and check out.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email with your QR code and scan it with your phone's camera while you are still in Germany.
3
Add the eSIM
Follow the steps on your phone to add the eSIM as a data plan. Your German SIM stays in place.
4
Go online
Switch on the eSIM when you land in Italy and you are online straight away.

Which eSIM plan suits me?

Holiday

Away for 1–2 weeks? A 3–5 GB plan covers maps, photos and messages.

Business trip

For video calls and email on the go, choose at least 5 GB or an unlimited plan.

Backpacking

On longer trips, a 10 GB+ plan or a regional plan for several countries pays off.

Family

With several devices, pick a plan with hotspot support and enough data for everyone.

eSIM vs. local SIM vs. Wi-Fi hotspot — what works best for Italy?

	eSIM	Local SIM card	Wi-Fi hotspot
Activation	Instant (QR code)	Buy on arrival	Pick-up or delivery
Setup	2 minutes	SIM swap needed	Extra device
Price	From €0.99	€5–30	€5–15 per day
Network	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE
Devices	1 smartphone	1 smartphone	Up to 5 devices
Flexibility	Top up any time	Fixed allowance	Daily rental
Best for	Most travellers	Long stays	Groups and families

eSIM for Italy: frequently asked questions

Explore all destinations

See all destinations