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SIM card : can I buy one in Amsterdam that will also work in Italy?

As I have a long flight connection time in Amsterdam, I wondered if anyone knows if a SIM card bought there will also work in Italy ?
It occurred to me that I could spend a bit of my wait time in AMS setting up a new sim card and phone plan, if there is.
Hopefully there is a phone shop in the transit area in AMS.
I know all the roaming rules are different now since I was last in Europe, but I’m unclear about using SIM cards between countries.
If not, I’ll just get one when I arrive in Italy.
Just trying to make good use of time in the airport!
Thank you.

Posted by
9462 posts

Yes.

The EU introduced free roaming among member countries a few years ago, so you won't pay any more to use a SIM in Italy that you bought in the Netherlands than if you had bought it in Italy.

Posted by
2274 posts

Well, it should work - different providers of SIM cards provide different carry forward data amounts outside the country in which you purchased it, so you'll want to check that.

If I were you I'd wait until you arrive in Italy and go to either a TIM or Vodafone shop and get your SIM card there - just google to find a store(s) close to your hotel. Check through here for what should be the lastest - https://prepaid-data-sim-card.fandom.com/wiki/Italy

Posted by
5687 posts

I have been to Amsterdam a few times, but not for a few years. I don't know if there is a place to buy a SIM at the airport or not - I'd guess so.

Curiously, though, I have been using a Dutch Vodafone SIM card for years, since 2017 - and never used it in the Netherlands. I bought it on eBay (can't anymore I guess). I have kept it alive ever since and used it on several trips - twice in Italy, also Slovenia, France, Spain, and Portugal. I don't need need to make local calls in Europe with it - I mostly want it for the mobile data, and it has worked great for that. I can top it up online on their website.

Posted by
9462 posts

If it's anything like CDG, you won't need an actual phone store — in French airports and train stations, you can always buy SIM cards in press stores, which have the brand name Relay in France. My guess is that AMS has the same kind of stores (maybe not the same brand, of course) also selling everything including SIM cards.

Posted by
6231 posts

You can also get an eSIM data plan that will cover multiple countries. It's easier than having to insert your SIM card, and you can switch back and forth between the eSIM and your regular phone in a few seconds. There are several recent posts about this if you scroll through the Technology Tips forum.

Posted by
2274 posts

I have yet to find an eSIM card that isn't priced at twice the price of a physical SIM card - twice the price with half the data and minutes.

Posted by
3067 posts

Thank you.
I’ll see what’s available at AMS, then if it doesn’t suit me, I’ll get one in Italy.

Posted by
8094 posts

We have T Mobile, and they have relatively inexpensive European plans--including everything. The phone works just like it does at home--including getting Medicare spam calls. Our 3 1/2 year old granddaughter used her mother's speed dial @ 3:00 a.m. to call our home phone--and it rang in Budapest and woke us up.

We cancel the T Mobile international plan upon arriving home. No SIMS cards needed. T Mobile is owned by Deutsch Telecom.

Posted by
11056 posts

Yes your SIM card should work all ove Europe. Ours did.Bought in UK and used it in Italy too.

Posted by
5687 posts

These Vodafone prepaid SIMs also seem to cover roaming in Switzerland as well, so even some non-EU countries are covered.