Telekom (D1)
The Deutsche Telekom network leads on geographic coverage, particularly in villages and along regional rail lines. Prices sit at the upper end. Worth it if you spend time outside major cities.
Newcomer guide to Germany
Best Mobile Plans Germany 2026
A practical guide for newcomers and expats: compare prepaid SIM cards and mobile contracts from the major German networks, with verified April 2026 prices and Bundesnetzagentur coverage data.
Last updated: 22 May 2026 · meinetarife24 Editorial Team
5G ready
EU roaming included
No Anmeldung options
English support available
Quick answer: If you just arrived in Germany and want a SIM card today, the easiest path is a prepaid plan. Aldi Talk, Vodafone CallYa Digital and Congstar each offer 25 GB plans around 9.99 to 10 EUR per four weeks (verified April 2026). For people who want English customer service, Vodafone or Telekom are the practical choice. Contracts with subsidised phones come later, once you have an Anmeldung confirmation and a German bank account.
Key takeaways for newcomers
- Start with prepaid. Most newcomers can activate a SIM with passport alone, no Anmeldung required.
- Pick the right network. Telekom (D1) leads on rural coverage per Bundesnetzagentur 2026; Vodafone and O2 are competitive in cities.
- Match data to use. Around 5 to 10 GB covers most expats; the German average is 5 to 8 GB per SIM per month.
- English support matters. Vodafone and Telekom offer English apps and hotlines; discount brands run German-only.
- Switch later, keep your number. Number portability (Rufnummernmitnahme) is free by law under §59 TKG.
German terms you will see in contracts
Handyvertrag
Mobile phone contract
Prepaid
Pay as you go
Datenvolumen
Monthly data allowance
Allnet-Flat
Unlimited calls and SMS
Rufnummernmitnahme
Phone number portability
Netz
Network (Telekom, Vodafone, O2, 1&1)
Grundgebühr
Monthly base fee
Mindestlaufzeit
Minimum contract period
Tip for newcomers
Germany has four mobile network operators: Telekom, Vodafone, O2 (Telefonica) and 1&1, which became the fourth network after the 2019 spectrum auction. Discount providers like Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect and Congstar use one of those four networks. You can switch later and keep your German number for free, under §59 TKG.
Which mobile network should you pick in Germany?
The Bundesnetzagentur Mobilfunk-Monitor 2026 publishes coverage data for the four networks. The short version: city dwellers can pick on price, while people in rural areas should care more about which network actually has bars where they live.
Vodafone (D2)
Strong urban coverage with growing 5G in larger cities. Vodafone offers English-language support and a clean prepaid product called CallYa Digital.
O2 (Telefonica)
Usually the cheapest of the three established networks. Solid in cities, weaker in rural pockets. The hotline and most apps run in German.
1&1 (the new fourth network)
Operating its own network since 2019, with national roaming on O2 where the build is still in progress. Best matched to city residents who want lower prices on the 1&1 platform.
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Pick your data needs, the network you prefer, and how long you want to commit. The comparison runs over live operator offers in all four German networks.
Prepaid plans at a glance, verified April 2026
Prepaid pricing in Germany shifts every quarter. The figures below come from operator websites in April 2026. Always confirm the current price on the provider page before activating.
| Provider | Network | Sample plan | Price (April 2026) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldi Talk | Vodafone (D2) | Combi-Paket M, 25 GB | 9.99 EUR / 4 weeks | No Anmeldung needed for activation, German-only support. |
| Vodafone CallYa | Vodafone (D2) | CallYa Digital 25 GB | 9.99 EUR / 4 weeks | English app and chat available, supports eSIM. |
| Congstar Prepaid | Telekom (D1) | Allnet Flat 25 GB | 10.00 EUR / 4 weeks | Telekom network quality at a discount price. |
| Lidl Connect | Vodafone (D2) | Smart Tarif M | starting around 8 EUR / 4 weeks | Top up at any Lidl supermarket, German-only support. |
| Telekom MagentaMobil Prepaid | Telekom (D1) | Magenta Mobil Start M | starting around 10 EUR / 4 weeks | Best rural coverage per Bundesnetzagentur 2026, English support. |
Sources: Aldi Talk, Vodafone, Congstar, Lidl Connect and Telekom official German websites, cross-checked April 2026. Independent expat reviews from how-to-germany.com and liveingermany.de confirm the same range.
Can I get a SIM card before my Anmeldung?
Yes. The Anmeldung (your address registration at the local Bürgeramt) takes weeks to schedule in some cities. You do not need it to buy a prepaid SIM.
What providers actually need is identity verification. By German law (§111 TKG), every SIM card must be linked to a verified identity. There are three common ways to handle this:
- Video-Ident. A short video call with the provider. Passport in hand. Works from home with most prepaid brands.
- Post-Ident. Identity check at a Deutsche Post branch. Free and standard for SIMs sold in supermarkets like Aldi or Lidl.
- Shop-Ident. Walk into a Telekom, Vodafone or O2 store with your passport and walk out with an activated SIM.
Contracts with a subsidised phone are different. They usually require a SEPA-capable German bank account and proof of address. That is the moment you switch from prepaid to a contract, often months after arrival.
eSIM in Germany 2026
All four German networks now support eSIM. If your phone is compatible (most iPhones from XS onward and most Samsung Galaxy S models), you can activate via QR code in minutes.
For the first week or two after arrival, travel eSIMs from providers like Airalo or Holafly are convenient. They cost more per gigabyte than a domestic prepaid plan, but you can install them before your flight and skip the queue at the airport. Once you settle in, a German prepaid eSIM is usually cheaper.
Number portability also works with eSIM. Under §59 TKG, the Bundesnetzagentur confirms your German number can move between physical SIM and eSIM with no penalty.
English customer service, who actually answers in English?
Customer service language matters when something goes wrong with a contract. Here is the current state for major providers:
English available
- Telekom (MagentaMobil hotline and app)
- Vodafone Germany (chat and CallYa app)
- Selected eSIM brands (Airalo, Holafly)
German only
- O2 (Telefonica) hotline and app
- Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect, Congstar
- Most resellers and Discounter brands
If you only speak basic German, starting with Telekom or Vodafone reduces friction when handling contract issues, SIM-Tausch requests or roaming questions.
Switching providers and keeping your number
German law makes it straightforward to leave a bad contract. The Telekommunikationsgesetz (TKG) sets the rules every operator must follow:
- §56 TKG. Minimum contract length is capped at 24 months for new mobile contracts.
- §57 TKG / §309 Nr.9 BGB. After the initial term, the contract renews for at most one month at a time, with one month notice.
- §59 TKG. Number portability is free. The Bundesnetzagentur enforces a 25 EUR compensation if the switch takes longer than agreed.
- §312k BGB. Online cancellation must be available with a one-click Kündigungsbutton on the provider website.
Prepaid plans are even simpler. There is no fixed term, you cancel by stopping top-ups, and any remaining credit must be refunded.
Frequently asked questions
The questions newcomers ask us most often about mobile plans in Germany.
Can I get a German SIM card without an Anmeldung?
Yes. Prepaid SIM cards from Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect, Congstar and other Discounter brands can be activated with just your passport. ID verification by video chat (Video-Ident) or in a partner store replaces the address registration. Contract plans with subsidised handsets usually require a SEPA bank account and an Anmeldung confirmation, so most newcomers start with prepaid and switch later.
Which German mobile network has the best coverage?
According to the Bundesnetzagentur Mobilfunk-Monitor 2026, Telekom (D1) leads on geographic coverage, especially in rural areas. Vodafone (D2) is close in cities and has strong 5G expansion. O2 is competitive in metropolitan areas. If you live or commute in the countryside, Telekom is the safer pick. In a city, all three networks deliver comparable quality.
What is the difference between prepaid and contract in Germany?
Prepaid means you load credit in advance and pay only for what you use. There is no fixed monthly bill and no minimum contract length. Contracts (Mobilfunkvertrag) run for up to 24 months under §56 TKG, often include a subsidised phone, and renew for at most one month after the minimum term ends (§309 Nr.9 BGB). Newcomers usually prefer prepaid for the first months.
Which providers offer English customer service in Germany?
Telekom (Deutsche Telekom) and Vodafone Germany both provide English-speaking customer support and English app interfaces. O2 (Telefonica Germany) operates primarily in German for hotline and app. Discount providers like Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect and Congstar are usually German-only. For expats with limited German, Telekom MagentaMobil or Vodafone CallYa simplify support questions.
Does an eSIM work in Germany for new arrivals?
Yes. Telekom, Vodafone and O2 all support eSIM on compatible smartphones, and travel eSIM providers like Holafly or Airalo work on day one without an Anmeldung. Activation is online, often via QR code. For long-term use, a German prepaid or contract eSIM is cheaper than a travel eSIM after the first weeks.
How much data do I really need each month?
Light users on WhatsApp, email and maps usually stay under 3 GB. Social media and casual video pushes you to 5 to 10 GB. Daily streaming, video calls and hotspot use need 20 GB or more. The Bundesnetzagentur Jahresbericht 2024 reports the average German SIM uses around 5 to 8 GB per month, so a 10 GB plan covers most expats with room to spare.
Can I keep my phone number when switching German providers?
Yes. Number portability (Rufnummernmitnahme) is your legal right under §59 TKG and is free of charge. You sign up with the new provider, request porting from the old one, and your number moves with you within one to seven working days. The Bundesnetzagentur enforces a 25 EUR compensation if the switch takes more than one working day after the agreed date.
Does EU roaming still work the same in 2026?
Yes. Under the EU Roaming Regulation 2022/612, “Roam like at Home” continues across all 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Your domestic data, calls and texts apply at no extra cost, subject to fair-use limits. Switzerland, the UK and non-EU destinations are outside the regulation and may incur roaming fees.
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Ready to pick a plan?
Use the free comparison above to filter offers by network, data and contract length. The check runs over live operator pricing in all four German networks.
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