- A prepaid SIM card is a perfect solution after arriving in Germany or for a temporary stay.
- With a prepaid SIM card, you get a German SIM card without a long-term contract and a German bank account.
- The providers offer various payment methods for topping up credit, allowing you to choose what works best.
- With a prepaid SIM card, you purchase a telephone flat rate and a data package for a monthly fee.
- The tariff price depends largely on the included data volume and speed.
- Excellent prepaid tariffs are available, particularly with the 3 major network operators, Telekom, Vodafone, and O2 (Telefónica).
- In addition, resellers such as Congstar, Blau, or Otelo also offer prepaid SIM cards at affordable prices.
The best prepaid rates in 2024
Conclusion of our editorial team
If you have just arrived in Germany or are only staying here for a limited time, a prepaid SIM card is the perfect choice to stay connected. You can take out prepaid tariffs without a contract, giving you maximum flexibility. They offer you the same services as a mobile phone tariff with a contract. We present providers with particularly high-performance prepaid SIM cards and excellent conditions. From our perspective, Telekom, Vodafone, and O2, in particular, score with attractive prepaid offers.
The mobile market in Germany
To choose the right prepaid SIM card, general information about the German mobile market may be helpful. Here is an overview of the most important facts.
Network providers and resellers
There are only 4 network providers in Germany:
- Deutsche Telekom (D1 network)
- Vodafone (D2 network)
- O2/Telefónica (E network)
- 1 & 1 (network still in development, no prepaid offers)
In addition, numerous other mobile providers, such as Congstar, Blau, Otelo, or Simyo, operate on the market as resellers or so-called mobile discounters. They do not have mobile networks but cooperate with the major network operators for their offers. The resellers also often offer very competitive rates. Compared to the network operators, they frequently score with particularly favorable conditions.
If you opt for a reseller’s prepaid SIM card, you will still use the Telekom, Vodafone Germany, or O2 mobile networks. The network quality is high for all 3 network providers. Independent reviews confirm that Telekom has the best network, but Vodafone also achieves top marks. Both networks are available nationwide. In contrast, O2 focuses its network on cities, so it is unavailable in some rural areas.
LTE and 5G
LTE (long-term evolution) is the general standard in all German mobile networks. However, the 5G network’s expansion is not expected to be completed until 2030.
Currently, only Telekom and Vodafone operate a 5G mobile network. However, O2 and other providers also offer 5G tariffs within the 5G networks of these providers.
5G is the fifth generation of mobile communications and the successor to LTE (4G). The 5G standard supports data transfer rates up to ten times faster than LTE, making it an important basis for many digital features. To use 5G, you need a smartphone that supports this technology. However, an LTE connection is perfectly adequate for everyday smartphone use.
Types of mobile phone contracts in Germany
In Germany, various types of mobile phone contracts are offered. The most common are contracts with a 24-month term. Premature termination is usually only possible at the end of the minimum term. In addition, there are mobile phone contracts with a monthly notice period. A German bank account is required to conclude these contracts. For 2-year contracts, the providers obtain a Schufa credit check in advance.
A straightforward alternative to these mobile phone contracts is a prepaid SIM card.
Schufa is a credit reference agency that provides banks, mobile phone providers, and other companies with data on potential customers’ creditworthiness and payment behavior. For expats who have not been living in Germany for long or are only living here temporarily, a Schufa check can be a major hurdle, even for those with good credit ratings. Since no data about them is stored at Schufa, no credit check can be provided, meaning that contracts may not be concluded.
Prepaid SIM Card in Ge — ideal for expats
A prepaid plan can be an ideal solution for expats in Germany:
- The card is issued without a contract and, therefore, without a notice period.
- You can use it for any period, pause its use when you are abroad, or easily switch to another provider that offers you better services or conditions.
- You do not need a bank account in Germany for a prepaid SIM card.
- No Schufa check is required to issue the card.
Prepaid tariffs – in 2 different variants
With Classic prepaid tariffs, you pay a fixed price for each minute of calls and each text message you make. In some cases, you get a small allowance each month, but this is usually quite limited. You can book data packages separately as required daily, weekly, or monthly. In practice, these offers play only a minor role today and are often advertised as “free cards.”
With a modern prepaid plan, you pay a monthly fee. Like with postpaid plans, you get a flat rate for phone calls, text messages, and mobile internet. The providers offer scaled rates that differ mainly in the included data volume.
Top up a prepaid SIM card
The most important feature of a prepaid SIM card is that you can only use the card if you have previously topped up credit. When the credit is used up, phone calls or your internet connection will be disconnected. The monthly base fee for the tariff is also debited from your prepaid credit.
You can top up your prepaid SIM card without a bank account in Germany using various methods – a bank transfer is therefore not necessary:
- Directly in the app: Many providers allow you to top up credit using a credit card or PayPal.
- Online top-up: You can use your provider’s online portal to top up your prepaid SIM card.
- Credit codes: You can buy them in shops (e.g., supermarkets, kiosks, gas stations) and activate them via a QR code or manual entry.
Some providers, such as Deutsche Telekom, offer to automatically top up your prepaid SIM card once your credit has been used. To do this, you can enter the desired top-up amount and your credit card number on the provider’s website. If you want to pause using your prepaid SIM card, you must deactivate the automatic top-up.
How to find the best prepaid SIM card
Consider the following criteria when ordering a prepaid SIM card. In this section, we will only discuss the features and conditions of modern prepaid plans:
General price-performance ratio
A prepaid plan should meet your requirements and offer an optimal price-performance ratio.
You can almost always find cheaper rates from resellers. Nevertheless, some good reasons exist to purchase your prepaid SIM card from one of the major network operators. In particular, Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone offer a wide range of rates tailored to different user groups in their prepaid segment. They also occupy leading positions in the market in terms of customer service.
However, it is important that you know what you expect from your mobile plan – in this case, you can search specifically for suitable offers in favorable conditions.
The mobile communications market in Germany is highly competitive – and the prepaid segment is no exception. Many providers also offer promotions for their prepaid plans to attract new customers. You can benefit from a permanently reduced base price, a starter bonus, or additional data volume.
Telephone flat rates
All prepaid tariffs include a telephone flat rate to the German landline network. However, the current trend is moving towards allnet flat rates, which allow you to make unlimited free calls to all German mobile networks.
The 3 network operators offer their prepaid customers an allnet flat rate. The only exception is the very low-priced entry-level tariff from Telekom. However, you can also find good prepaid plans with allnet flat from many resellers.
Data packages
The data volume of your prepaid SIM card is a crucial criterion for determining whether the tariff meets your needs. Prepaid plans usually include a limited flat rate for high-speed internet, ranging from entry-level volumes of just 1 GB to 20, 30, or 50 GB. The Deutsche Telekom is the only company offering a prepaid SIM card with unlimited data. The included data volume significantly influences the price of your prepaid SIM card.
When you have used up your monthly high-speed data package, your provider will reduce the data speed. However, you can typically buy additional data volume. However, providers charge high prices for this. If your data package is permanently insufficient, switching to a different, better-equipped prepaid offer is better.
How much mobile data you require per month depends on your usage behavior. If you mainly surf the internet, send messages, and occasionally make phone calls online, you can get by with 5 GB per month. Video calls and social media are also data-intensive – you should calculate at least 10 to 20 GB per month. For music and video streaming or online games, we recommend a monthly data volume of between 20 and 50 GB, depending on your intensity.
Data speed
Telekom, Vodafone Germany, and O2 offer prepaid plans with data speeds up to 300 mbit/s. With all other providers, you surf at data rates between 20 and a maximum of 50 mbit/s.
These data speeds are adequate for less data-intensive applications, and even a good-quality video call is no problem. However, if you use your smartphone intensively for streaming or gaming, a tariff from a network operator is the better choice because of the higher data speed.
Monthly or annual contracts
Alternatively, to monthly rates, you can also book an annual rate with Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone. With this option, you pay the fee for your prepaid SIM card as a one-time yearly payment. In addition to an allnet flat rate for telephony and SMS, you will receive a data package. At Deutsche Telekom, it is 8 GB per month, and at Vodafone, it is 180 GB for the entire year, which you can use flexibly.
Whether these tariffs are worthwhile can only be decided based on your data needs. These offers are only suitable for less intensive data use. Furthermore, you will not be reimbursed if you use the card only for a part of the year.
Using your cell phone abroad
Thanks to EU roaming, you can use your prepaid SIM card in the European Union under the same conditions as in Germany. Some providers, such as Telekom and Vodafone, offer these conditions also to several European countries outside the EU, such as Switzerland, Norway, and the United Kingdom. If you travel to such countries often, you should check whether there are providers that offer EU roaming for them.
If you are traveling outside EU roaming areas, we recommend a local prepaid SIM card or an international SIM card to avoid high roaming costs. International or global SIMs are also prepaid SIM cards offered by specialized providers. An international SIM card lets you connect to a local network in multiple countries.
Buy, manage, and cancel prepaid SIM cards
You can buy your prepaid SIM card online or, if available, in one of your provider’s shops. To activate the card, you have to go through a verification process. You will need your passport, a valid residence permit, and a German address to do this. If you are in Germany temporarily, your visa will also be accepted for the card issue. If you buy online, you verify your identity via VideoIdent.
For the VideoIdent verification, you require an internet-enabled device (smartphone, tablet, or laptop). After downloading the identification app, you will have a video call with a provider representative who will verify your ID and your data. Your card will then be activated.
You can manage your prepaid SIM card online or in your provider’s mobile app.
If you buy a physical prepaid SIM card online, it will take a few days for the card to arrive and for you to go through the verification process. Many providers now offer an eSIM as an alternative, where the card data is stored on a chip in your smartphone. You can activate and use an eSIM immediately after purchase. However, you need a smartphone that supports eSIM.
If the card is not topped up for a long time, it will be automatically deactivated. Please ensure that an automatic top-up is switched off.
Cancellation is only necessary if you want to change providers and keep your phone number. You can cancel your prepaid SIM card by phone, contact form, email, or a formless letter.
Number portability when changing providers
You will receive a German mobile phone number with your first prepaid SIM card. If you change providers, you have a legal right to keep this number for free.
To transfer your number, you must cancel your prepaid SIM card and provide your previous provider with a declaration of renunciation. This states that you are completely renouncing your mobile phone tariff and any additional services that may have been booked separately. Any remaining credit on your card will no longer be available.
Your new provider will then initiate the porting process. You will receive a temporary phone number until it is complete. Many providers offer an attractive switching bonus for number portability.
Conclusion
A prepaid SIM card is the ideal choice for expats in Germany. It offers maximum flexibility without requiring a contract or a bank account in Germany. You can enjoy reliable connectivity tailored to your needs with competitive rates from major providers like Telekom, Vodafone, and O2 and affordable options from resellers. By a tariff comparison, you get the best value for your money.
Frequently Asked Ques — FAQ
Generally speaking, no. There is a wide range of prepaid tariffs in Germany, so you are bound to find offers that meet perfectly your requirements. However, unlike 2-year mobile phone contracts, you cannot get a discounted or free smartphone with a prepaid plan.
No. In Germany, you can easily use a prepaid SIM card without a bank account. The providers offer flexible options for topping up your credit.
A triple SIM card combines all SIM sizes, such as mini, micro, or nano SIM cards, so that you will get a card compatible with your smartphone. However, these cards are not offered in Germany as prepaid SIM cards or with contracts. However, the provider of your prepaid plan will also provide you with a card format suitable for your phone. With Telekom, Vodafone, and O2, you can also book your prepaid SIM card as an eSIM, provided your phone supports this technology.
No. We are not aware of prepaid offers that include a MultiSIM for use on multiple devices, such as smartwatches or tablets. You can only get a MultiSIM with a postpaid plan. However, some providers – for example, Telekom – offer prepaid data packages you can use on these devices.