The requirement for purchasing a cell phone plan is to have a passport, codice fiscale and an unlocked cellphone. Since it can take over a week to get a codice fiscale issued, here are a few options to have critical, Italian cellphone service upon arrival divided up by without a codice fiscale and with a codice fiscale.
1. Without a Codice Fiscale: Use an International Plan from Your U.S. Carrier (Short-Term Option). Most major U.S. carriers offer international roaming plans that allow you to use your phone as soon as you land:
AT&T – “International Day Pass” ($10/day)
Verizon – “TravelPass” ($10/day)
T-Mobile – Free international data (low speeds) or $5/day for high-speed
2. Purchase a short-term eSIM plan valid for about a week with approximately 2 to 5 GB of data, here are the options from Airalo and Holafly:
Airalo eSIM Plans for Italy
Airalo offers the “Mamma Mia” eSIM for Italy with the following plans:
- 2 GB: Valid for 7 days at $8 USD.
- 3 GB: Valid for 30 days at $11 USD.
- 5 GB: Valid for 30 days at $16 USD.
These plans provide flexibility depending on your data needs and duration of stay.
Holafly eSIM Plans for Italy
Holafly offers unlimited data eSIM plans for Italy with the following durations:
- 5 days: Unlimited data at $19 USD.
- 7 days: Unlimited data at $27 USD.
3. With a Codice Fiscale: Italian SIM and cellphone plan offers are varied and dynamic. Here’s a brief comparison of some of the monthly cell phone plans from TIM, Vodafone, and WindTre:
| Provider | Name | Monthly Cost | Data | SMS | Calls | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIM | TIM 5G Power Smart | €14,99 | 50 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | TIM 5G Power Smart |
| Vodafone | Vodafone 50 Giga in 5G | €14,99 | 50 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | Vodafone 50 Giga in 5G |
| WindTre | Full 5G Summer | €14,99 | 100 GB | 200 | Unlimited | WindTre Full 5G Summer |
Choosing Between Prepaid and Contract Plans:
- Prepaid Plans: These are flexible and don’t require long-term commitments, making them ideal for newcomers. They typically include data, calls, and texts.
- Contract Plans: Often offering better rates, these plans may require a Codice Fiscale and a local bank account for monthly payments. Be cautious, as these contracts might not have military clauses allowing for early termination without penalties.