One of the first things you’ll need to settle when you arrive in Germany is a reliable SIM card. Whether you’re visiting, studying, or moving here long-term, having the right SIM card will keep you connected and save you a ton of avoidable stress.

In this guide, we’ll explore the German mobile network space. We’ll cover:

The top network providers
Best prepaid SIM card options
Best postpaid SIM card plans
Real-life user insights from a survey of 103 people
How to purchase and activate your SIM card

Now, let’s find the perfect SIM card for you.

Meet the Major Players: Germany’s Top Network Providers

There are three main network providers in Germany, with a rising fourth competitor shaking things up:

Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile):

Deutsche Telekom, commonly known as T-Mobile, offers the best coverage, especially in rural areas. If you want reliability and top-notch service, this is your go-to, but it’s also the most expensive option.

Vodafone

The second-largest network in Germany strikes a solid balance between great coverage and competitive pricing.

O2 (Telefónica Germany)

O2 stands out for its budget-friendly pricing. Although their coverage in rural areas may not rival Telekom or Vodafone, they’ve made significant improvements in recent years.

1&1

The newest player on the block, 1&1 launched in December 2022. Its coverage is still growing and, in areas where it falls short, it relies on O2’s network.

Pro Tip: Many smaller providers, known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), lease networks from these giants. These MVNOs, like Aldi Talk and Lidl Connect, often offer better prices but may have limited perks or coverage.

Prepaid vs. Postpaid: What’s Right for You?

The choice between prepaid and postpaid SIM cards depends on your needs.

Prepaid SIM Cards

offers more flexibility
Suitable for short-term stays or those who don’t use their phone extensively
No long-term commitments, you pay as you go.

Easily purchased and activated, with top-ups available online or at stores.
Perfect for visitors, students, or anyone on a tight budget.

Postpaid SIM Cards

Offers cheaper rates, especially for heavy phone users.
Usually involve 12 or 24-month commitments, so more suitable for long-term residents.
Often include bundled smartphones or other perks, as part of the contract.
Require more paperwork to set up.
Billed monthly for usage, including any extra charges.
Less flexibility.

Best Prepaid SIM Card Options

Based on price, data, and coverage, here are 5 prepaid SIM card options:

1. Telekom MagentaMobil Prepaid

Perfect for those prioritizing network quality.
plans range from 1GB to unlimited data.
prices start at €4.95 for 1GB up to €99.95 for unlimited data (4-week plans) including calls and sms.

2. Vodafone CallYa

A great balance of coverage and value.
Plans range from 6GB to unlimited data.
Prices start from €9.99 for 6GB up to €79.99 for unlimited data (4-week plans) including calls and sms.

3. O2 Prepaid

Budget-friendly option with decent coverage.
Plans range from 8GB to 999GB (effectively unlimited).
Prices start at €9.99 for 6GB up to €74.99 for unlimited data (4-week plans) including calls and sms.

4. Lidl Connect (uses Vodafone network)

Fair value for money.
Plans range from 10GB to 30GB.
Prices start at €8.99 for 10GB up to €18.99 for 30GB (4-week plans) including calls and sms.

5. Aldi Talk (uses O2 network)

Another budget-friendly option.
Good for those who prioritise price over network quality.
Plans range from 10GB to 30GB.
Prices start at €8.99 for 10GB up to €18.99 for 30GB (4-week plans) including calls and sms.

Best SIM Card Options for postpaid plan

Considering price, data allowance, and coverage, here are the top postpaid options:

1. Deutsche Telekom (MagentaMobil): Deutsche Telekom’s MagentaMobil plans offer premium service and extensive perks. The MagentaMobil plans start at €34.95 up to €84.95 per month, providing unlimited calls and texts, and data from 5gb to unlimited data depending on the plan. EU roaming is also possible.

2. Vodafone Red: Vodafone’s Red S plan costs €29.99 per month, offering unlimited calls and texts, plus 10 GB of data. EU roaming is also possible.

3. O2 Free: O2’s Free plans are known for their affordability and flexibility. The O2 Free unlimited plan starts at €29.99 per month, which includes unlimited calls, texts and data. EU roaming is also possible.

4. SIMon mobile (uses Vodafone network)

SIMon’s plan cost €14.99 per month, offering unlimited calls and texts, plus 15 GB of data. you can have an additional 5 GB for €3 per month or 15 GB for €8 per month.You can also decide every month to continue with the contract, pause it, or cancel it.

5. WinSim

WinSIM operates on the 1&1 network. When 1&1 coverage is not available, WinSIM uses the O2 network. Although WinSim offers postpaid plans, they provide flexibility similar to prepaid plans just like with SIMon. Which means You can decide every month to continue with the contract, pause it, or cancel it. Plans start from 5GB to 60GB with prices from €5.55 to €22.99 monthly which includes unlimited calls, texts and data. EU roaming is also possible.

What Real Users Say: Survey Insights

I ran a survey of 103 people to learn about their SIM card preferences, and here’s what I found:

When asked what network they use:

22.4% use Winsim (which i honestly found surprising )

18.4% use Aldi talk

17.1% use O2

11.8% use Vodafone

9.2% use Telekom

7.9% use Lyca

And 13.2% use other networks which included

Lidl Connect

Lebara

SIMon Mobile

Ortel

Tchibo

BLAU

Blacksim

SimplyTel

and so forth

Prepaid vs. Postpaid

Of all these users,

61.8% use prepaid while 38.2% use postpaid plans

Why Prepaid

When asked why they chose prepaid, some of the responses I got were:

“Independence”
“Flexibility”
“I can control how much I spend on calls and mobile data”
“No unexpected bills”
“Because there is internet at home”
“I didn’t find anything else”
“That’s what I started with and I’m too lazy to change it”
“I work mostly from home. So I can manage when I need to subscribe or not, rather than having a fixed plan.”
“More cost effective”
“To regulate my data consumption.”
“I didn’t know one could use postpaid“ (I saw responses like this recurring a lot. So many did not know that they had options. Which may seem surprising but it is the reality. Hence the relevance of a guide like this)

Why Postpaid?

For the postpaid users, when asked why they chose postpaid, some of the responses I got were:

“Better data deals”
“It came with my phone and it is affordable”
“Convenient and stable”
“Unlimited Internet and additional SIM cards for family which gives them unlimited internet as well”
“Because it’s made on a contract.“
“It came with the phone I purchased and it is affordable”

Some people had no particular reason or strong preference

How to Purchase and Activate a SIM Card in Germany

Buying and activating a SIM card in Germany is simple:

You can buy them at major airports, electronics stores, supermarkets, the provider’s website, or other e-commerce platforms.

To activate your SIM card, you just need to register it online or via the provider’s app. Make sure you have your passport or ID handy, as German law requires identity verification for SIM card activation.

Final Thoughts

Germany’s network providers offer something for everyone, whether you’re a budget-conscious visitor or a long-term resident in need of premium service. By considering your data needs, budget, length of stay, and a few other personal preferences, you can easily find the perfect SIM card to stay connected in Germany.

Have you found this guide helpful? Share your thoughts below, and let me know which SIM card works best for you