Best SIM cards for expats in Germany in 2026
Prepaid German SIMs need no Anmeldung and no Schufa. What each network actually costs, the speed caps nobody mentions, and why you pay 13 times a year.
Sources and last review
Reviewed 2026-09-15
Check the chosen provider’s residence, address and identification requirements before applying.
The complications are smaller but worth knowing before you buy: the discount brands cap your speed, plan periods are four weeks rather than a month, and activation involves a video identity check that catches people out.
The sequence that works
Land with a travel eSIM so you have data at the airport, buy a German prepaid SIM within your first few days, and only consider a contract months later once your address is settled. Around €9 to €10 buys 20 to 30GB on any network, which is more than most people use.
A detail worth adopting early: keep your home SIM in the second slot for banking two-factor codes and old contacts, and run the German eSIM as your primary. Losing access to your home bank because you swapped SIMs is a common and avoidable headache.
Prepaid options compared, 2026
Prices are indicative and change. Plan periods run in four-week blocks.
| Provider | Network | Typical price | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aldi Talk | O2 | €9.99 for 25GB | Cheapest per GB, sold at every Aldi |
| Congstar | Telekom | from €8 per 4 weeks | Telekom coverage at a discount price |
| Vodafone CallYa | Vodafone | €9.99 for 25GB | Free SIM, strong urban 5G |
| Telekom Prepaid | Telekom | from €9.95 | Best rural and rail coverage |
| Lidl Connect | Vodafone | around €8 | Cheap, sold at Lidl |
| Lebara | O2 | €4.99 for 20GB | Cheap calls outside the EU, multilingual support |
Three things the price does not tell you
Discount brands cap your speed
Congstar prepaid runs at roughly 25 Mbit/s. Telekom and Vodafone prepaid allow up to 300 Mbit/s on LTE.
You pay 13 times a year, not 12
German prepaid plans run in four-week blocks rather than calendar months.
Activation needs a video identity check
German law requires identity verification for every SIM, done by video call or in store.
Which network actually matters
Germany has four mobile network operators: Telekom, Vodafone, Telefónica/O2 and 1&1. Reseller plans may use these networks or roaming arrangements. Check coverage at your home, campus and regular travel routes, plus the plan’s speed and data limits.
This is why checking the underlying network matters more than the brand name. Aldi Talk and Lidl Connect are cheap because they are resellers, not because they are worse, and congstar gives you Telekom coverage at a discount because Telekom owns it.
When a contract makes sense
Mobile contracts vary in minimum term, data allowance, speed and credit checks. Shorter-term options exist. After a tacit extension beyond the initial term, German telecom contracts can generally be cancelled with one month’s notice. Check the contract summary and use an eligible SEPA account for direct debit.
Check the minimum term of your chosen plan. After a tacit extension beyond the initial term, telecom contracts can generally be cancelled with one month’s notice. Monthly-cancellable options also exist.