Use Your Phone Abroad Without Roaming Charges

Living in Sicily, with its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and Mediterranean charm, offers an experience like no other. From pristine beaches and rolling vineyards to rugged mountains and ancient ruins, the island’s natural beauty and cultural heritage are truly unparalleled. 

Yet, as many expats and long-term travelers will attest, adjusting to life in a foreign country often comes with its own set of challenges—one of the most significant being maintaining communication with family, friends, and businesses back home.

For those planning to move abroad, one major concern is how to stay connected without incurring hefty roaming charges. This issue is particularly relevant for U.S. citizens traveling to or living in Europe. 

Thankfully, there are now cost-effective solutions that allow you to keep your U.S. phone number while enjoying affordable local rates abroad.

In this blog, we’ll share how we managed to stay connected in Sicily without breaking the bank. We’ll explore the practical solutions we discovered to keep both our U.S. and local numbers functional while avoiding expensive roaming fees. Let’s drive in!

💠The Challenge of Keeping U.S. Numbers Abroad

When we decided to relocate to Sicily, one of the biggest hurdles we faced was how to keep our U.S. phone numbers without paying exorbitant roaming fees. Having a reliable phone number is essential for managing two-factor authentication for online banking, shopping, and other essential services. 

The idea of managing multiple phone numbers or using costly international roaming plans was not an option.

After much research, we discovered a solution that allowed us to retain our U.S. numbers and avoid expensive roaming charges: eSIM technology. 

💠Understanding eSIM Technology

eSIMs (Embedded SIMs) are digital SIM cards that eliminate the need for physical SIM cards. This technology enables you to activate multiple carrier plans on a single device without needing to swap out SIM cards. 

This makes it incredibly convenient for frequent travelers, expats, or anyone who moves between countries, as it provides the flexibility to switch carriers and maintain connectivity without the hassle of physically changing SIM cards.

For us, using eSIMs was the perfect solution to maintaining our U.S. numbers while taking advantage of affordable local rates in Sicily.

💠Switching to Mint Mobile for U.S. Service

Before moving to Sicily, we were on T-Mobile’s Plus 55 plan, which cost us $50 per line (or $100 for two phones) per month. While this plan provided decent coverage, we realized that with the move to Sicily, we would no longer need the extensive domestic coverage offered by T-Mobile.

We then discovered that T-Mobile had acquired Mint Mobile, a carrier that operates on T-Mobile’s network but at a significantly lower price point. Mint Mobile offers the same coverage for just $15 per month per line—70% less than what we were paying with T-Mobile. This was a game changer, saving us around $840 annually.

One important note: to switch to Mint Mobile, your phone must be fully paid off. Be sure to verify with your carrier that your phone is unlocked and can be used with different networks rather than simply waiving future payments while keeping you locked into their system.

💠Getting an Italian Number with eSIMs

While Mint Mobile worked for our U.S. numbers, we still needed to find a solution to get an Italian number once we arrived in Sicily. Croce’s phone only supports eSIMs, while my phone supports both physical SIM cards and eSIMs, making the process relatively simple.

We considered using Airalo, an online service that provides eSIM plans for different regions around the world. Airalo allows you to purchase a regional or country-specific eSIM plan, which is activated digitally via their app. This provides a cost-effective solution for staying connected in Sicily.

Additionally, another choice is Ho Mobile, a popular Italian provider known for its reliable service and affordable plans. Ho Mobile offers eSIM options that allow us to easily switch between U.S. and Italian numbers without having to physically swap SIM cards.

💠How It All Works: Managing Both U.S. and Italian Numbers

With our Mint Mobile plan in place for U.S. service and our Ho Mobile eSIM for local service in Sicily, we now have the flexibility to toggle between our U.S. and Italian numbers as needed. 

👉Here’s how we manage this dual SIM setup:

• Mint Mobile for U.S. Service: Upon arrival in Italy, we activated an international roaming pass with Mint Mobile for immediate use. This allowed us to stay connected and call family members who were picking us up from the airport, ensuring a smooth arrival.
• Switch to Ho Mobile for Local Use: Once settled, we switched to our Italian eSIM plan from Ho Mobile for everyday communication and data usage. Ho Mobile offers excellent coverage in Sicily and is a cost-effective option for local calls and internet.
• Toggle Between U.S. and Italian Numbers: Most modern smartphones allow multiple SIM cards (either physical or eSIM). This means we can easily toggle between our U.S. number for banking, authentication, and personal calls and our Italian number for local services.
• Wi-Fi Calling for Free U.S. Calls: With Wi-Fi calling enabled, we can make and receive calls from our U.S. number while connected to Wi-Fi. This feature is especially useful for avoiding international calling charges and keeping in touch with family and friends back home for free.

💠A Cost-Effective Solution

For us, the financial savings have been substantial. Here’s a breakdown of our monthly costs:

• Mint Mobile (U.S. Service): $30 per month for two lines
• Ho Mobile (Italian Service): €16 per month for two lines
• Total Monthly Cost: $47.66 (including exchange rates)

At just $47.66 per month, we have unlimited service for both our U.S. and Italian numbers. This is an incredible value, especially compared to traditional international roaming charges, which can quickly run into hundreds of dollars each month.

Using eSIM technology is the most efficient and cost-effective way to stay connected while living or traveling abroad. Whether you’re relocating, vacationing, or simply spending time in a foreign country, eSIMs allow you to keep your U.S. phone number without paying expensive roaming fees. By combining services like Mint Mobile and Ho Mobile, you can enjoy seamless connectivity in both the U.S. and Italy for a fraction of the cost.

For those preparing for life abroad or planning international travel, eSIMs offer a simple and affordable solution. With a little research and the right plan, you can stay connected with ease—no matter where in the world you are.