Do I need a Schufa credit check to get a prepaid SIM in Germany?

No. Prepaid means you pay upfront — no credit is extended, so no Schufa check is required. Schufa is only checked for postpaid contracts (Laufzeitvertrag), which also typically require a German bank account and registered address.

Do I need an Anmeldung (registered address) to get a prepaid SIM?

No official Anmeldung (residential registration) is required for prepaid. Section 172 TKG requires an address, but not an officially registered one. A hotel or temporary address is sufficient. Some online sign-up forms request a German postal format — if that is a barrier, activate in a physical mobile phone store.

How much does number porting cost in Germany?

Number porting has been free by law since 1 December 2021 (section 59 TKG 2021). You request the port from your new provider; the switch normally takes one business day.

What documents do I need to activate a SIM card in Germany?

Under section 172 TKG, providers accept a passport, EU identity card, or German residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel). A driving licence is explicitly not accepted. Verification can be done in-store (most reliable for foreign passports), via PostIdent or via VideoIdent (VideoIdent may reject non-EU passports).

What is the difference between an eSIM and a physical SIM card?

An eSIM is a permanently embedded, digitally programmable SIM. You activate it by scanning a QR code rather than inserting a card. This allows Dual SIM use (foreign card plus German eSIM simultaneously) and instant activation without waiting for post. Your device must be eSIM-compatible. The identity requirement under section 172 TKG applies to eSIM just as to physical SIM cards.

Does EU roaming apply in Turkey?

No. The EU Roaming Regulation (EU) 2022/612 ('Roam like at home', valid until 30 June 2032) applies in the European Economic Area: EU27 plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Turkey, the United Kingdom and Switzerland are not in the EEA — separate roaming charges apply for those countries. Check your provider's roaming conditions before travelling.

Mobile Guide for Newcomers in Germany

eSIM and SIM Card in Germany
2026: Newcomer Guide

As a newcomer in Germany you can get connected on day one with a prepaid SIM or eSIM — no Schufa check, no Anmeldung required. You only need your passport or residence permit for identity verification under section 172 TKG. Number porting has been free since 1 December 2021 (section 59 TKG).

Scope of this page: eSIM and prepaid from a newcomer day-1 perspective (no Schufa, no Anmeldung). For a general mobile tariff comparison see the Mobile Compare Guide. For home internet see our DSL comparison.

Key Takeaways

Prepaid SIM requires no Schufa and no Anmeldung — only a passport, EU ID card or residence permit (section 172 TKG); a driving licence is not accepted.
eSIM activates digitally via QR code; your device must be eSIM-compatible.
Number porting is free by law since 1 December 2021 (section 59 TKG) and normally completes within one business day.
EU roaming applies under Regulation (EU) 2022/612 free of charge until 30 June 2032 in the EEA (EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) — Turkey and the UK are not included.

meinetarife24 Editorial Team

Last updated:June 30, 2026

Section 172 TKG: Activation Compare tariffs

eSIM, Prepaid and Postpaid: What is what?

Three terms come up immediately when you want to get a SIM card in Germany. Understanding them determines whether you need a Schufa credit history and a German bank account — or not.

Key terms explained: Prepaid = pay-as-you-go, no contract. Postpaid / Laufzeitvertrag = monthly bill, usually 24-month contract. eSIM = embedded SIM, activated digitally. Rufnummernmitnahme = number porting. Roaming = using your German SIM abroad. Anmeldung = official residential registration at the town hall.

eSIM vs Prepaid vs Postpaid (Laufzeitvertrag) at a glance

Feature	eSIM (prepaid)	Physical Prepaid SIM	Postpaid / Contract
Billing	Pay upfront	Pay upfront	Monthly invoice
Schufa check	No	No	Yes
Anmeldung needed?	No (address suffices)	No (address suffices)	Often yes
Activation	Digital via QR code; eSIM device required	In-store / PostIdent / VideoIdent	Usually VideoIdent + bank details
Contract length	None	None	Usually 24 months
German bank account	No	No	Yes

Activating a SIM as a Newcomer: Section 172 TKG

Every mobile provider in Germany must verify the identity of every customer before activating a SIM — including prepaid — under section 172 TKG 2021. This has been mandatory since 2017 to prevent anonymous SIM misuse. For you as a newcomer this means: a valid identity document is enough. No Schufa, no Anmeldung.

Day-1 checklist for newcomers

Valid passport, EU identity card or German residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel)
Any address (hotel, temporary, friend) — no official Anmeldung needed
Cash or card for the starter pack — no German bank account needed
Go to a mobile phone store for the most reliable activation

Driving licence not accepted: Section 172 TKG explicitly does not permit driving licences as identity documents for SIM activation. Always bring your passport, EU ID card or residence permit.

Three ways to verify your identity

In-store

Staff verify your document in person. Works reliably with foreign passports. Recommended for newcomers on day one.

PostIdent

Identify at a Deutsche Post branch. Accepts passports and EU identity cards. SIM is activated after verification.

VideoIdent

Online video call. May reject non-EU passports. If VideoIdent fails, go in-store or use PostIdent instead.

Networks, Discounters and What to Compare

Germany has three physical mobile networks. All other providers — discounters and MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) — lease capacity on these networks. The regulator is the Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency).

Telekom (D1)

Largest network, best rural coverage. Discounters on D1: congstar, Aldi Talk.

Vodafone (D2)

Second network, strong coverage. Discounters: Otelo, FYVE.

O2 / Telefonica

Third network, competitively priced. Discounters: Blau.de, simyo.

Turkish-friendly prepaid brands

Providers such as ay yildiz, Ortel Mobile, Lebara and Lyca Mobile target the Turkish-speaking community and offer prepaid plans with competitive international rates to Turkey. All require the same identity verification under section 172 TKG.

Network coverage at your location

Check the coverage map for your home and workplace. In rural areas quality varies significantly between networks.

Annual prepaid packages

According to Stiftung Warentest, annual prepaid packages often offer better value than monthly top-ups. Unused credit is refunded at year end.

eSIM Setup, Number Porting and EU Roaming

Setting up an eSIM

Your provider sends a QR code or activation code by email. Scan it in your device settings under Mobile Data / SIM Management — the profile loads automatically. All three German networks support eSIM in 2026, as do many discounters and MVNOs.

Dual SIM advantage: Many smartphones support one physical SIM plus one eSIM simultaneously. Keep your Turkish or international SIM and add a German eSIM alongside it — useful for calls home without extra roaming charges.

Number porting: free since December 2021

Since 1 December 2021, number porting in Germany is free by law (section 59 TKG 2021). Request the port from your new provider — no prior cancellation of the old contract is required. The switch normally completes within one business day(per Bundesnetzagentur). Your old contract continues to run until its regular cancellation date, independently of the number port.

EU roaming: Regulation (EU) 2022/612

In the European Economic Area (EEA) — EU27 plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway — you use your German prepaid package at no extra charge under the "Roam like at home" principle, subject to fair-use limits. The current Regulation (EU) 2022/612 runs until 30 June 2032.

These countries are NOT in the EEA

Turkey, the United Kingdom and Switzerland are outside the EEA. Separate roaming charges apply for those destinations — amounts depend on your tariff. Check your provider before travelling.

For Visitors from Abroad: Travel eSIM vs German Prepaid

If family or friends visit from Turkey or other countries, they have two practical options for affordable calls and data in Germany.

International Travel eSIM

Purchased and activated abroad via an app before the trip
No section 172 TKG registration in Germany
Usually data only — no German phone number
Device must be eSIM-compatible

German Prepaid SIM (in-store)

Provides a German mobile number
Physical SIM — no eSIM-compatible device needed
Passport or residence permit required (section 172 TKG)
Activate in-store for foreign passports

Visitors who stay briefly often find an international travel eSIM the easiest option — buy and activate before departure. Those staying longer or needing a German number can pick up a prepaid SIM at a mobile phone store. For home internet options see our DSL comparison. If you are looking for personal finance products, our credit comparison and newcomer insurance guide cover the key products.

Compare Mobile and Prepaid Tariffs

Compare prepaid and mobile tariffs independently and find the right plan for you. Also see the mobile compare guide or our credit comparison for financial products.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and Methodology

How We Compare: all legal requirements, obligations and facts on this page have been verified against publicly accessible Tier-1 sources (as of June 2026). We only publish information substantiated in the sources listed below.

eSIM and SIM Card in Germany2026: Newcomer Guide