If you're going to be living in Germany for a year or less, traditional 24-month contracts are usually a bad option. Fortunately, there are flexible alternatives, with monthly cancellation or prepaid plans that allow you to have internet and calls from day one. In this guide, we compare options from various well-known companies to help you choose the best one, and we provide step-by-step instructions on how to sign up for each of them.
Table of contents
Quick comparison table
| Operator | Type | Permit | eSIM | Register in English | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lycamobile | Pay As You Go/Monthly | Nothing | Yes | Yes | Just arrived |
| sim.de | Flexible contract | 1 month or 24 months | Yes | Partial | Users looking for lots of GB |
| Fraenk | Monthly contract | 1 month | Yes | No (app in German) | Those who want the Telekom network |
| Vodafone CallYa | Prepaid | Nothing | Yes | Yes | Vodafone users |
Features
- Registration available in English.
- eSIM available.
- No tie-in.
- Quick online activation.
- Many plans include international calls.
- Very popular with students and expats.
- Use the Vodafone network
How to register
- Choose «Pay Monthly» if you prefer a monthly plan (24 months or 1 month). Choose «Prepaid plans» if you prefer a pay-as-you-go plan.
- Select your preferred plan and press «Buy Now».»
- Here are the details of the plan.
- If you want to choose an eSIM or SIM card
- Details of the plan you have chosen
- Add top-up: if you want to add extra credit.
- Then you must tap on «Checkout now»
- In this section, please fill in your details:
- Personal details (if they select a physical SIM, then they will need to provide their address to receive it)
- Payment details (If you chose a monthly contract, please note that you will be debited monthly)
- Confirm & Pay«
- Finally, you will be given the option to enter your card details and click «PAY».
SIM.DE
Features
- Loads of GB for very little money.
- Plans with monthly cancellation.
- eSIM available.
- Very good prices.
- Use the O2 network
- The page is solely in German
How to Register
- Select «5G Tariffs»
Here you will be able to choose between several options:
- Unlimited on demand: It's a plan with limited initial data, but you can request more for free. You must activate them manually when they run out.
- Allnet Flats: Mobile tariffs with unlimited calls and SMS, various data packages and an “unlimited on demand” data option, with prices that vary according to gigabytes and contract duration.
- Data – Tariffs: Mobile data tariffs with different GB volumes, 5G speed, unlimited calls and SMS in Germany, and EU roaming included depending on the chosen plan.
- Kids – Price: mobile plan designed especially for children, with Expense control and parental security features.
- Select the preferred plan
- Tick if they want it for 24 months or for 1 month.
- Click «Order now»
- Choose the phone number option:
- To choose one new random number at no extra cost
- A personalised number for 19,99 €.
- Keep your current number:
- Transfer immediately.
- Bring it to the end of your current contract and then choose one specific activation date.
- Choose SIM card format
- eSIM
- Plastic SIM card
- Multicard: in the event that you want an additional SIM card to use another mobile device (for example, a tablet) with the same phone number. (This is optional)
- Detailed connection log: If requested, you can have a detailed list of connections along with your monthly bill. Options:
- No detailed call log
- A call log (abbreviated with the last three digits)
- A complete call log.
- Press «Add to basket» to continue.
- Here you will confirm all the information you previously entered and then select «Zur Bestellung».»
- Here, fill in the address where you will receive the SIM card.
- In this section, please enter your contact details (Email and confirmation of email).
- Here, you need to set a password that you will use to log into your personal service/app. Make a note of this password somewhere, as you will almost certainly need it!
- You must have:
- 10 to 32 characters
- At least one uppercase and one lowercase letter, and no more than three identical letters in a row.
- At least one number, but no more than two consecutive digits.
- At least one special character, for example: ! § $; no more than three identical characters in a row.
- Write down a PIN number: this will be used to identify you when contacting customer service. Please note/remember this PIN as you will also need it!
- You must have:
- 5 numbers
- No more than 3 digits in ascending or descending order.
- No more than two identical digits in a row.
- Here you will enter your bank details, from which your monthly payments will be deducted if you have chosen the monthly payment option. Enter your full name, IBAN, and then tick the last box.
- Finally, you will be given a page where you can confirm all your details and at the end you must press «Kaufen» (buy).
- Finally, you will be given a page where you can confirm all your details and at the end you must press «Kaufen» (buy).
Conclusion: Which operator do we recommend?
If you've just arrived in Germany and are looking for a simple, flexible, and easy-to-sign-up-for option, our recommendation is Lycamobile. Furthermore, their prepaid plans allow you to start using the service quickly, which is especially useful during your first few weeks in the country.
On the other hand, sim.de can be an excellent alternative for those already based in Germany, who have a German bank account and are looking for the most mobile data at the best price.
Ultimately, if your priority is to have internet and calls from day one without complications, Lycamobile is usually the most recommendable option for most newcomers.
Other articles that may be of interest to you:
- How to join a German public insurance?-> Learn step by step how to get your krankenkasse and social security number!
- Insurance in Germany, which ones you need and how to choose them -> Find out which insurances are most important in Germany: which are compulsory, which are recommended and how much they cost.
