Just arrived to study or start an apprenticeship? Find a cheap mobile plan and get your German number.
Prepaid works right away without a credit check. A contract gives you more data for your money once you have a bank account.
Every SIM needs an ID check by law. It works by video call, in the shop or with the online function of your residence permit.
After the check your SIM or eSIM is ready. You can take your number with you when you switch later.
Lyca Mobile All ages Prepaid
Average per month€5.41
Price per 4 weeks €4.99
Starter kit €0.00
Average over 24 months including one-time costs.
One package lasts 4 weeks, that's 26 packages in 24 months.
As stated by Lyca Mobile, 17 October 2026, no guarantee.
Telekom All ages Prepaid
Average per month€5.78
Price per 4 weeks €4.95
Starter kit €9.95
Average over 24 months including one-time costs.
One package lasts 4 weeks, that's 26 packages in 24 months.
As stated by Telekom, 17 October 2026, no guarantee.
FYVE All ages Prepaid
Average per month€7.37
Price per 30 days €6.95
Starter kit €10.00
Average over 24 months including one-time costs.
One package lasts 30 days, that's 24 packages in 24 months.
As stated by FYVE, 17 October 2026, no guarantee.
congstar All ages Prepaid
Average per month€8.00
Price per 4 weeks €7.00
Starter kit €9.99
Average over 24 months including one-time costs.
One package lasts 4 weeks, that's 26 packages in 24 months.
As stated by congstar, 12 October 2026, no guarantee.
As stated by the providers, 17 October 2026, no guarantee. Providers' order pages are in German, your browser can translate them.
Vodafone Young
Average per month€14.99
Monthly fee €14.99
One-time fee €0.00
Average over 24 months including one-time costs.
From month 25: €19.99 a month.
As stated by Vodafone, 9 October 2026, no guarantee.
1&1 Young
Average per month€15.19
Monthly fee €14.99
One-time fee €19.90
Average over 24 months including one-time costs.
As stated by 1&1, 9 October 2026, no guarantee.
congstar Young
Average per month€15.63
Monthly fee €15.00
One-time fee €15.00
Average over 24 months including one-time costs.
As stated by congstar, 9 October 2026, no guarantee.
o2 Young
Average per month€16.66
Monthly fee €14.99
One-time fee €39.99
Average over 24 months including one-time costs.
As stated by o2, 17 October 2026, no guarantee.
As stated by the providers, 17 October 2026, no guarantee. Providers' order pages are in German, your browser can translate them.
No contract, no credit check, no German bank account needed. How to get a prepaid SIM on arrival, how the ID check works and which plans are the cheapest.
Read moreWhat you need for a mobile contract in Germany, how the SCHUFA credit check works and which Young plans give you a discount under 28.
Read moreA travel eSIM works the minute you land, a German eSIM gives you a local number. When each one makes sense and how to set it up.
Read moreDSL, cable, fibre or a 5G router? How to get Wi-Fi in your WG or student flat, who signs the contract and which plans you can cancel every month.
Read moreYes, usually. By law every provider checks your ID before the SIM works, prepaid included. In a shop your passport is enough. The online video check doesn’t accept every passport. If yours doesn’t work, go to a provider shop. How the ID check works
Not for prepaid. You top up with vouchers from the supermarket, or online by card or PayPal, depending on the provider. For a contract you pay by direct debit. An account in any SEPA country has to be accepted.
For a contract, providers almost always run a credit check. New arrivals often have no SCHUFA record yet, which can lead to a rejection. Prepaid works without any credit check. More about contracts
Germany has the networks of Telekom, Vodafone, Telefónica (o2) and 1&1. Every brand uses one of them. In the connect network test 2026, Telekom got “outstanding”, the others “very good”.
Yes. Most phones can run two numbers, for example your SIM from home and a German eSIM. How to set up an eSIM
