I realize that there are many threads about cell phone use in Italy, but I can't seem to find what I'm looking for.
We purchased a GSM phone for a trip to Italy last year. We have to add minutes to the phone before May 2nd or the phone will expire. We are going back to Italy this year, but not until June so I want to have the phone re-charged and ready to go. I tried going to TIM on-line, but they require a unique Italian "fiscal code" (sounds like our SSN) in order to register. Does anyone have information on adding minutes to a TIM phone from the US?
Thanks!

If you go to www.prepaidgsm.net guess what...in the operators section of italian prepaid sims there are instructions (in English) of how to get an Italian fiscal code which anybody in the world is eligible to get! I know, I have one and got it there.

Thanks for your post, xyz123. I followed the link you provided and was able to get my "codice fiscale", which enabled me to register at the TIM site. Now the problem is that when I actually go to purchase minutes it seems that the registration information doesn't agree with my credit card billing information, so I can't complete the transaction. How were you able to get around this issue?
Thanks again for your help.

One correction. The phone doesn't expire. What expires is your account. You risk loosing the unused minutes and the telephone number itself.
I wouldn't worry too much. I don't know the TIM portfolio but in my operator a SIM costs 5 euros, with 2.5 euros of airtime.

Lobo_mau - Thank you for the clarification. I realize that I described the situation inaccurately. If our account expires, we will have to acquire a new SIM card and the price for that is at least $80-85. We'd much rather put those funds toward actual minutes. Thanks for the information.

Curious whether you were able to get your phone recharged. Can probably help you if needed. ulissiathotmaildotcom

You say you wuold need a new sim card for $80???? Sim cards do not cost $80 unless you are (fillin whatever blank you want) enough to use a rip off joint such as telestial which triples the price for the foreign sim cards they sell for "convenience."

May be there are fancy SIMs. A SIM in my operator costs 5 euros including 2.5 euros of airtime

I've bought SIM cards with a new phone number in the US, the West Indies and Italy and never paid more than $25, including some call time.

I'm curious about being able to recharge my TIM also. Mine will expire in early Oct., but I won't be back in Italy until mid Oct. It would be great to be able to recharge it from home.