Whether you’re shopping in Milan, hiking Mt. Etna in Sicily, or sniffing out the best pizza in Napoli, it’s 2026 so you want to stay connected. An eSIM gives you access to the local data network across Italy (and sometimes more of Europe) so you can use internet on your phone just like you would at home. But there are a ton of eSIM companies out there! So here’s everything you need to find the best eSIM for Italy.
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What to look for in the best eSIM for Italy
Check out these super important things to consider when finding the best eSIM for Italy:
- Data packages. Do you need unlimited internet or are you an occasional/light user?
- Tethering/hotspot rules. Are you going to share internet access to a laptop or another device?
- Validity/amount of GBs. This varies significantly between eSIM companies and destinations.
- Price comparison. You always want the best value!
- Customer support: This includes refund policies and whether you can ahold of an agent (not a bot) 24/7.
- Travel style considerations: Are you staying at a Coliving as a digital nomad? Here for a few days on a stopover, or staying for a couple of weeks?
Best eSIMs for Italy (by category)
Here are the best eSIMs for Italy based on my own experience plus several companies’ unique features. Ultimately, the right one will depend on you and the details of your trip.
Saily — best Italy eSIM for price & security
Saily is one of the best-value eSIM options for Indonesia with flexible plans and security features you don’t get with other providers. Most Saily plans have a set number of days and GBs, though some unlimited options exist. There’s also Saily Ultra, a recurring subscription that includes 30 GB per month plus perks like NordVPN and airport lounge access.
I think what makes Saily the best eSIM for Italy is the built-in security features. Primarily, ad-blocking, web protection, and the option to set a virtual location (VPN). Bonus: The ad-blocker means your data will last longer because your phone isn’t loading a bunch of visuals.
Saily offers a 10% discount to my readers, so make sure you use NAOMI10 at checkout.
Holafly— best eSIM for Italy with unlimited data
Holafly is the best eSIM for Indonesia for unlimited internet access. It’s perfect if you use apps that suck data like Google Maps, TikTok, and Netflix. You can pay for as many days as you want, rather than choosing from 7, 14, or 30-day plans like many other providers. There’s sort of a daily limit where your speed will slow down once you hit a certain threshold. But tbh that has never happened to me, or at least wasn’t noticeable if it has.
Holafly offers 5% off to my readers. Use NAOMILAI in the promo box. They also have Holafly Plans, which is the unlimited monthly eSIM subscription I use.
aloSIM ranks as one of the top eSIMs for Italy in my mind because of its unique feature: an international phone number. The company is also Canadian, so maybe I’m a little biased.
It works with Hushed so you can text and call, while most other eSIMs currently only offer data. An aloSIM automatically gives you a free Hushed phone number and a bit of calling credit you can top-up later.
These days you can totally get away with only having data. But a fully functional phone is handy when you’re trying to call and make a last-minute reservation at Milan’s Verso Capitaneo. (Good luck.)
And you know I’ve got the discounts. aloSIM offers readers 15% off. Use the code RUNAWAY15.
Jetpac might be the best eSIM for Italy if you fly often. Its main perk is free lounge access when your flight is delayed. Technically you’ll hope you never have to use this perk, but it’s nice to know you’ll have a lounge waiting for you if there’s a delay. You can also bring a friend.
Milan (BGY, MXP, LIN), Rome (FCO, CIA), Florence (FLR), and tons of other airports around the country have lounges that are part of Jetpac’s LoungeKey and DragonPass network.
Jetpac offers 10% off any eSIM over 10 USD. Use RUNAWAY10 for the hookup. They also have two eSIM subscription options that differ quite a lot from Saily’s and Holafly’s.
Read more: The Best eSIM Subscription Models in 2026
Quick pro/con Italy eSIM comparison
| eSIM | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
|
Saily |
Affordable, strong security |
Data-only |
|
Holafly |
Unlimited data |
More expensive |
|
aloSIM |
Optional phone number |
Need Hushed for number |
|
Jetpac |
Lounge access |
Lounge access only for delays |
More eSIM options for your trip to Italy
I made this detailed spreadsheet for ya — pretty epic if I do say so myself. It has all the key info you need to compare 10+ major eSIM companies. There’s even a specific section for Italy. And a PDF version you can download below. But if you hate spreadsheets, here’s a short and simple list of other Italy eSIM options with good reviews:
FAQs about Italy eSIMs
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about finding the best eSIM for Italy.
Is an eSIM better than a physical SIM in Italy?
eSIMs are the easiest way to get data when travelling in Italy. Install it before you go, switch it on when you connect to airport Wi-Fi, and you’re online. You don’t have to worry about scams, navigating the language barrier, or haggling.
Airport stalls selling physical SIM cards usually hike the prices up. And then you have to keep your home SIM safe somewhere and those tiny little things are easy to lose.
An eSIM just makes the whole arrival experience smoother. And that convenience is kinda unbeatable if you ask me.
Read more: Overnight Ferry from Italy to Albania
Can I get one eSIM for travelling around Europe?
You sure can. Most eSIM companies do regional plans, and some even have global plans. So if you’re visiting Italy then island hopping in Greece before flying to Bucharest, there’s an eSIM for that.
Every company’s Europe package includes a slightly different collection of countries. So make sure you double check that all your locations will be covered before you buy!
Are eSIMs more secure than public Wi-Fi?
Yes, eSIMs are more secure than that random cafe Wi-Fi you joined for free. The added security is a big plus when accessing banking apps or sensitive accounts abroad.
Using an eSIM lets you avoid unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, which are more vulnerable to data interception, and instead rely on encrypted mobile data for a safer connection while traveling.
How do I activate my eSIM in Italy?
The eSIM activation process varies a bit for each provider. However, they all have step-by-step guides on their websites or in the app. I found it a bit confusing the first time I ever used an eSIM with Airalo. But it became easier to follow every time.
Some companies use QR codes some start the activation through the app. You’ll always have to adjust some of your phone settings, but they’ll walk you through it.
Lots of providers like Saily, Roamless, and Nomad only need you to download an eSIM once. Then you can just keep topping it up with different packages for other countries.
How can I tell if my phone is eSIM compatible?
Always make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before you pay for anything! That’s one every eSIM company has written into its policy — no refunds for non-compatible phone models. But they all have clear, extensive compatibility lists. For example: Saily, Holafly, ETravelSim, Jetpac, Roamless, Nomad.