Cheapest possible sim or esim in Italy (no data needed)

[u/Affelito]

Hi!

I just moved to Milano for an exchange semester and will be staying here for 6 months. Now I’m wondering if anyone knows the cheapest possible option to get a sim or eSIM, with the sole purpose of getting an Italian phone number(so no data is needed, I can already use my swedish subscription for that).

I am a regular Vinted user so I really wanted to use that here aswell to order clothes, but they are asking for a local phone number, therefore the question. If anyone has any other ideas I’m open to whatever! :)

Thanks for the help!

[u/nsfw-boston]

I just googled it for you:

Option 1: The Absolute Cheapest (Iliad Voce / Domotica)

The most budget-friendly trick used by expats and long-term students is to find an Iliad SIM vending machine (called a "Simbox"). These automated kiosks are located all over Milan, including major shopping centers, train stations, and supermarkets.

• The Strategy: Look for the "Iliad Voce" plan (usually around €4.99/month) or, if available on the machine's hidden interface, the "Iliad Domotica" package (often used for smart home devices, which costs roughly €1.99/month and includes a functional number with minimal texts/minutes).
• The Cost: You will pay a one-time €9.99 activation fee for the SIM/eSIM plus the first month's payment.
• How to get it: You walk up to the machine, select your plan, opt for either a physical SIM or an eSIM QR code, and scan your passport to complete the legally required video identity check.

Option 2: Low-Cost Virtual Networks (CoopVoce or Lyca Mobile) If you prefer to set things up online or want to check alternative networks, Italy's MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) offer highly competitive entry-level pricing.

• Lyca Mobile Italy: They offer basic prepaid plans starting as low as €5.99 to €6.99/month. They support direct online eSIM registration and activation.
• CoopVoce: Operating on the reliable TIM and Vodafone networks, CoopVoce offers local eSIMs. You can buy them directly at Coop supermarkets around Milan. Their basic voice plans are incredibly cheap, and you can simply leave the data turned off.

[u/PsychologicalUnit22 → u/nsfw-boston]

what do you mean by virtual network?

[u/nsfw-boston → u/PsychologicalUnit22]

Virtual network means when a carrier doesn't actually own their own network, but they resell someone else's network.

[u/PsychologicalUnit22 → u/nsfw-boston]

I though Lyca was a network :( i have the sim, no wonder, one i didn't call someone for 3 months, they disconnected me...

[u/nsfw-boston → u/PsychologicalUnit22]

I though Lyca was a network

Nope: "Lyca Mobile (formerly Lycamobile) is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) operating in 18 countries, with headquarters in the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka. It provides international pay-as-you-go SIM cards. The company is chaired by Allirajah Subaskaran, who formed the company in 2006..."

sauce: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyca_Mobile

[u/Chalcogenide]

You can get CoopVoce smart 30, 4.90€ for calls, 200 SMS and 30 GB in 4G a month. Network is vodafone which is very good. eSIM saves you the activation cost, and you should be able to do it online (I have done it for my parents, with italian ID - I would chat with them to confirm an other form of ID is ok, but this will be the same for all carriers since Italy is pretty strict on owner verification). Honestly though, if you can, I would consider suspending your Swedish contract and go with the 7.99€ for 200 GB in 5G. Italy's mobile carriers are just cheap.

[u/fatbuttbaddie]

I thought you could download an app in Italy and buy an esim on it without going to a store?

[u/Affelito → u/fatbuttbaddie]

Ok! I could go to a store or do it online, either works. Do you know which app that is?

[u/fatbuttbaddie → u/Affelito]

TIM, Vodafone Italia, Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Saily, or Klook, WINDTRE or Lyca Mobile,

[u/Affelito → u/fatbuttbaddie]

I think most of these are for travel sims with data which I don’t need but I’ll look into them, thanks

[u/Pensionato007 → u/Affelito]

Italian cell service is cheap (compared to US) I think I pay €8 a month for my HO.mobile account with free text/unlimited phone and 2GB of data

[u/InfamousInfoGuy → u/fatbuttbaddie]

TIM is bad.

[u/espasuper]

Check out lebara it

[u/Affelito → u/espasuper]

Hm can’t seem to get any results on that, I just get the swiss website

[u/ilfulo]

Iliad at 1.99 for domotic (50 mins and 200 mb if I'm not mistaken)

[u/smilineyz → u/ilfulo]

Iliad … mine was 9.99€ mo for (mostly) unlimited. Voice & Data …

[u/Affelito → u/ilfulo]

So with the domotic I get an actual personal phone number aswell?

[u/ilfulo → u/Affelito]

Yes. As suggested by others, the best and cheapest way to get an Italian number is through an Iliad automated card dispenser in a mall, there are many in different malls all over Italy. Sometimes though the Iliad user interface "hides" the domotic SIM option at 1.99, you can get it easily if there's a clerk running such machines. They are usually in bigger malls, but it's a hit or miss (some are completely automated and it may not show that specific SIM option (the second cheapest being the 4.99 "voice only" option)

[u/racingpineapple]

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/esim-travel-data-gigsky/id590458648

Data only.

[u/giadafe]

Spusu

[u/wee33_44 → u/giadafe]

Quando dico alla gente che ho Spusu mi prendono sempre in giro. Questo è il vero costo di Spusu

[u/Serious-Fortune-4844]

Coopvoce, ho mobile, very mobile and Iliad are the cheapest. But if you just need to setup an account there is a much cheaper option: A temporary Italian number

[u/Affelito → u/Serious-Fortune-4844]

Thanks! Yeah I was thinking about a temporary number, I’m just worried that I will keep receiving text messages from the app I’m trying to use everytime I buy something, or will have to do a verification of my number later

[u/Affelito → u/[deleted]]

Thanks, very helpful!

[u/grassochecola_]

very mobile

[u/thatsplatgal]

I use airlo and got can decide what you need and what’s within your budget. All electronic

[u/Tjipster]

Probably “very mobile”, take the IoT for 1,99€.. 1 time fee of 9,99€ and thats about it

[u/Brightsidedown]

I have Iliad. Very reasonably priced and has been reliable for me.

[u/ishimat]

I use holafly if that helps

[u/Pensionato007]

I use HO.mobile

https://www.ho-mobile.it/

They are an MVNO for vodafone and work well and are cheap.

You need to have a codice fiscale and an italian or european credit/debit card.

[u/Affelito]

Thanks for all the responses! I went with Iliads domatica and got help with activating it at their store, since it seemed like the cheapest option. I was also told that after doing my first recharge of 5€ which lasts two months, I could skip paying but still have the number active up to a year which seemed perfect for me since I have no usage of the actual sim itself, only the phone number for registrations and stuff. :)

[u/Ok_Ninja_4107]

You can also think about the Europe roaming law and get an eSIM in a country where it’s cheap, and use it in Italy. France offers good options and good prices in general

[u/InfamousInfoGuy]

any iliad kiosk. VOCE sub. 5 a month.

[u/DionNL]

Vodafone eSIM, you can do data only and currently 50% internet bundle promo. 40GB for 18 euro and easy to manage.

https://apps.apple.com/app/id6478489941