Can tourists buy an italian sim card in italy? do they need documents?

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Tnchk

When we bought a Vodafone sim card in Italy a few months ago, they did ask for a passport, and made a copy of it. There were no restrictions on buying it, but they needed to see some sort of ID for their records.

worldsowide

Italian anti-terrorism laws require you to show a passport and allow the vendor to make a photocopy of it and keep it on file in order for you to purchase a SIM card. You are also limited to the number of SIM cards you are allowed to have in your name -- generally 5 is the maximum. Otherwise, there are no restrictions on your purchase of a SIM card.

Phone numbers are valid indefinitely as long as you add money to the cards at least once every 13 months. If not, the number expires. Be sure that if you are bringing a phone from North American that it has the proper frequency (known as a tri-band here) to work in Europe. Not all phones will. However, you can purchase phones quite cheaply here; in some places for 50 euro or less.

Just for your information, there are 4 Italian mobile companies: TIM, Vodaphone, Wind, and 3. Depending on the calls you are trying going to be making the prices vary. TIM has the best rates for call to and from a fixed line in Italy. 3 is the most expensive. internationally they have different plans. Do some research before you buy a SIM. One bonus: You pay to make calls but not to receive them so others can call you as much as they want and you don't get charged.

Last bit of info: If you phone or number gets lost or stolen, go to a store associated with you provider asap. They can block the number and get you a replacement SIM with all of your money on it for a small charge (I think it's 10 euro now). But do it before whoever took it uses up your credit!

Pinguino

worldsowide gave you the most correct reply: a document is mandatory since a couple of years ago, as an anti-terroristic measure.
Just some updates, since new laws passed this year: a sim card, being considered a "service", can't "expire" anymore. Although one mobile company, Wind, is still doing... and just after the new laws passed, a lot of Wind customers saw their sim card expired with no warning and just the company proposal to move the reamining credit on a new number, new sim card, paying a fee (and now this is as well anyway illegal...). Consumers associations are struggling in order to get Wind follow the rules.
So, just stay away from Wind, if I can suggest.

Genius Cook

You need to show an ID of some sort otherwise there is no problem in purchasing one.

LADY1980

When we buy a sim card, we must show a document and the fiscal code.
I think it is the same for the tourists. I don't know how a tourist can do with the fiscal code...I'll investigate!

Traveler

Sim card is easy in every country. Usually no documentation necessary. Works great. Just email the new # to your friends by email and your safety net is in place. Have fun.

freedom_mary90

no be quiet!!!I'm sure because i'm italian!!!ihiih...It's simple you go in a tabacchi and buy it!!
where are you going?and why?
hello mary!

smilies1998

Anyone can buy a sim card here and they are all prepare. The companies are vodaphone which I think is the best and is the one I have, Tim is the second best. Three and Wind which are both new and suck big time. The only thing is you may need some that speaks Italian to load the minutes because you have to call a number then enter the infor when they ask. and if you dont know itlaian it may make it hard to do.

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