Getting Connected: Your First Steps in Germany
Welcome to Germany! One of the first things you'll want to do is set up a mobile phone plan and home internet. This guide walks you through the options, real prices, and practical steps — so you can stay connected from day one.
Mobile Phone Plans: Prepaid vs. Contract
Prepaid (Prepaid-Karte) — Best for Newcomers
Prepaid plans are ideal when you've just arrived and don't have a German bank account or Schufa (credit score) yet. You buy a SIM card, top up credit, and choose a data package. No long-term commitment.
- Aldi Talk (Aldi Süd supermarket): €9.99/month for 7GB, €14.99 for 15GB. SIM card costs €13 at checkout (includes €10 credit).
- Lidl Connect (Lidl supermarket): €7.99/month for 6GB, €14.99 for 20GB. SIM card €10 (includes €10 credit).
- Congstar (Telekom network): €9.99/month for 4GB, €19.99 for 20GB. SIM card free online, €10 in stores.
To buy a SIM, go to any Aldi, Lidl, or electronics store like Saturn or MediaMarkt. You'll need your passport (Reisepass) or national ID for activation — German law requires identification (Ausweispflicht).
Contract (Vertrag) — Better Value After You Settle
Once you have a bank account and a stable address, contracts offer more data and faster speeds. Typical prices: €15–40/month. You'll need to pass a credit check (Bonitätsprüfung).
- Telekom (best coverage, especially rural areas): MagentaMobil Start €29.95/month for 4GB, MagentaMobil M €39.95/month for 12GB.
- Vodafone (good urban coverage): Red S €24.99/month for 10GB, Red M €34.99/month for 20GB.
- o2 (Telefónica) (budget-friendly): o2 Free S €19.99/month for 10GB, o2 Free M €29.99/month for 30GB.
- 1&1 (uses Vodafone/o2 network): Allnet Flat S €14.99/month for 5GB, Allnet Flat M €24.99/month for 20GB.
Coverage note: Telekom has the best network in rural areas (ländliche Gebiete). If you plan to travel or live outside cities, Telekom is worth the premium. Vodafone and o2 are fine in cities but can be spotty in the countryside.
eSIM Options
If your phone supports eSIM (e.g., iPhone 14 or newer, recent Samsung/Google Pixel), you can activate a plan without a physical SIM. Providers like Mobilcom Debitel, Freenet, and Airalo (for short-term) offer eSIMs. Setup is online — handy if you can't get to a store.
Home Internet: DSL, Cable, or Fiber
For your apartment, you'll choose between DSL (via phone line), cable (Kabel, via TV line), or fiber (Glasfaser). Most people start with DSL or cable.
- DSL (Telekom, 1&1, Vodafone): 16–250 Mbit/s. Typical price: €25–45/month. Setup takes 1–4 weeks (technician appointment required).
- Cable (Vodafone, o2): 50–1000 Mbit/s. €25–50/month. Often faster to install (1–2 weeks).
- Fiber (Telekom, regional providers): 100–1000 Mbit/s. €35–60/month. Only available in some areas.
To compare all providers and prices, use Check24 or Verivox — these comparison websites show real-time offers, including sign-up bonuses (e.g., €100 cashback or free router).
Setup Timeline
Home internet installation typically takes 1–4 weeks. The provider sends a technician (Techniker) to activate the line. If you move into an apartment with an existing connection, it may be faster. For immediate internet, use your mobile hotspot (Handy-Hotspot) — most prepaid plans allow tethering.
What If You Don't Have a Fixed Address Yet?
No problem. You can buy a prepaid SIM at any supermarket without a fixed address — just show your passport. For home internet, you'll need an address for delivery. If you're in temporary housing (e.g., hostel, Airbnb), ask the host if you can use their address for the order, or wait until you sign a rental contract (Mietvertrag).
Switching Providers Later
After a few months, you may find a better deal. Switching is common in Germany. For mobile, you can port your number (Rufnummernmitnahme) to a new provider — it's free by law. For home internet, you can cancel your old contract with a notice period (Kündigungsfrist) of usually 1–3 months. Use Check24 to find switching bonuses.
⚠️ Important: Chinese Roaming Costs
Before you leave China, disable mobile data roaming (Datenroaming) on your Chinese SIM card. Chinese carriers charge very high rates in Germany (e.g., ¥30/MB). Turn off data roaming in your phone settings immediately upon arrival. Use a German SIM for all data.
Quick Summary
- Day 1: Buy a prepaid SIM at Aldi/Lidl (€10–15, no contract).
- Week 1–4: Order home internet via Check24 (DSL or cable, €25–45/month).
- Month 2+: Consider switching to a mobile contract for better value.
- Always: Keep your passport handy for SIM activation.
Stay connected and welcome to Germany!
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