Germany’s mobile market offers some of the cheapest plans in Western Europe if you know where to look. The main networks (Telekom, Vodafone, O2) charge premium prices; their own budget MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) run on the same towers for half the cost.
Why Prepaid First
New arrivals without a German credit history and a confirmed address often can’t get postpaid contracts. Prepaid SIMs require no contract, no credit check, and can be activated with a passport. Buy in supermarkets or drugstores (Aldi, Lidl, Rewe, Rossmann) the same day you arrive.
Budget Prepaid Options (2025)
- Aldi Talk: Tariff 3 — 15GB LTE + unlimited calls/SMS for €12.99/month. Runs on O2 network. Buy at any Aldi. Activation online with passport, no German address required at first setup.
- Lidl Connect: 12GB + unlimited calls/SMS for €9.99/month. Also O2 network. Buy at any Lidl store.
- Penny Mobil: runs on Telekom network (best coverage in rural areas) — 10GB for €9.99/month. Penny supermarkets.
- Congstar: Telekom subsidiary, monthly contracts from €10, better coverage and more data than pure budget options. Cancel monthly. Website available in English.
What “15GB” Actually Means in Germany
German prepaid plans often throttle to 64 Kbps after the data cap — slow enough that streaming and most apps become unusable. Watch for plans with “LTE-Datenturbo” or similar language for full-speed top-up options.
When to Switch to a Contract
After you have an Anmeldung and a German bank account, compare monthly contracts on billiger.de or check24.de (search “Handytarif Vergleich”). Contract plans (12-month minimum) offer 40GB to unlimited data for €15 to €30/month and often include a new device. You’ll also get better customer service and more consistent service in rural areas.
eSIM Options
1&1 and Freenet offer eSIM (digital SIM) plans — useful if your phone supports it and you want to keep your home SIM active. Activate entirely online without visiting a store. Good for people who need dual-SIM without a physical second SIM slot.
EU Roaming
EU roaming regulations mean your German SIM works at your domestic data rate across all EU/EEA countries (up to your monthly data allowance). Useful for travel — no need to buy local SIMs in France, Italy, or Spain when your German plan covers it.
