Mobile phone plans in Germany offer a range of options from budget no-contract SIMs to full-contract plans with device bundling. Navigating the German mobile market as a new arrival requires understanding which networks actually cover your area and which plan structures make sense for your usage pattern.
Germany’s Mobile Networks
Three infrastructure owners: Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile), Vodafone, and O2/Telefónica. Coverage varies significantly by network and location. Telekom generally has the best rural coverage; all three are comparable in major cities. Check coverage maps on each provider’s website before choosing a network.
Virtual operators (MVNOs) rent capacity from one of the three networks: Aldi Talk and Congstar use Telekom infrastructure; Lidl Connect uses Telekom. Simyo uses O2. Blau uses O2. These MVNOs often offer significantly cheaper rates than the parent networks.
Prepaid vs. Contract (Vertrag)
Prepaid (no contract): best for new arrivals who aren’t sure how long they’ll stay. No credit check (which is helpful when you haven’t built German credit history). Disadvantage: sometimes worse data rates and no device subsidy. Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect, Congstar prepaid are popular and reliable.
24-month contract (Vertrag): better data rates and unlimited plan options. Requires a German address and often a SCHUFA check (credit check). Legal minimum contract period is 24 months in Germany; check new “monthly cancellable” (monatlich kündbar) options that have appeared following 2022 contract reform laws.
Recommended Plans by Usage Pattern
Light user (calls + 5GB data/month): Aldi Talk L or Lidl Connect L, ~€10-12/month. Good for: students who use mostly WiFi and need mobile data as backup. Heavy user (unlimited data, calls included): Telekom MagentaMobil L or Vodafone Red XL at €35-50/month, or Congstar unlimited at €25/month on Telekom network. University student discount: many providers offer Studentenrabatt (student discount) — check Telekom, O2, and Vodafone student deals with your university email.
The Freikarte (Free SIM) Trick
Several German providers offer promotional SIM cards with substantial included data: checking comparison sites (CHECK24, Verivox, Teltarif) frequently reveals SIM card deals with 20-50GB included data for €0 for the first 3 months. These are time-limited promotions but worth monitoring.
Keeping Your Foreign Number
You can port a number from another EU country to a German SIM; the process takes 2-3 weeks. Non-EU numbers cannot be ported to German networks. Consider keeping your home country SIM active on eSIM if your phone supports dual SIM/eSIM — useful for family contact without international roaming charges.
