Mobile in Germany: networks, prepaid freedom and contract traps
Telekom vs Vodafone vs O2 networks, prepaid without Anmeldung, the Drillisch budget universe from €5-10, eSIM options and contract-trap avoidance.
Last updated: July 13, 2026
What is the best SIM option for expats in Germany?
Land with a travel eSIM, buy German prepaid within days (passport only, no Anmeldung or Schufa), then move to a budget SIM-only plan once registered: the O2-network Drillisch brands and Telekom/Vodafone sub-brands deliver 10-25GB for roughly €5-15 per month. Avoid 24-month contracts until you know your German address is stable.
What this guide covers
The three networks (this is 80% of the decision)
| Network | Reputation | Sold as |
|---|---|---|
| Telekom (D1) | Best coverage, premium price | Telekom, congstar, fraenk |
| Vodafone (D2) | Good cities, patchier rural | Vodafone, otelo, SIMon |
| O2/Telefónica | Improved massively, cheapest | O2, and the whole Drillisch family (WinSIM, PremiumSIM, sim.de…) |
City dwellers: O2-network budget brands are the value play. Commuters through rural Brandenburg: pay the Telekom-network premium (congstar is its budget door).
Prepaid first (the arrival move)
Prepaid needs passport ID-check only (POSTIDENT/online video) - no Anmeldung, no bank account, no Schufa: Telekom/Vodafone/O2 prepaid at supermarkets, Aldi Talk (O2 net), Lidl Connect (Vodafone net). ~€10/month for 5-15GB tiers, top up by voucher. This alone can carry you for months.
Contract (postpaid) once settled
- Monthly-cancellable SIM-only tariffs cost barely more than 24-month versions in the budget universe - default to them
- 24-month contracts hide the German trap: silent renewal + strict cancellation windows (the new law caps renewal to month-by-month after the initial term, but the initial 24 bind fully - cancellation guide)
- eSIM: mainstream at all three networks and most sub-brands now
- A €10 postpaid plan is also your cheapest first Schufa-building contract (guide)
Numbers to expect (⚠️ live prices at build - sweep page)
Budget O2-net brands: 10-25GB €5-10 promo pricing. congstar/otelo mid-tier: €10-20. Direct Telekom/Vodafone unlimited: €30-50. Promos rotate constantly - which is exactly why the deals page exists.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my home-country number?
Keep it for banking 2FA on dual-SIM/eSIM alongside the German SIM - standard expat setup.
Port my German number between providers?
Yes, portability is standard, often with a €10-ish credit incentive.
Roaming in the EU?
German plans roam free in the EU at your domestic allowance (fair-use caps on big-data plans).
5G on budget brands?
Increasingly yes on O2-net brands; check the tariff line - 4G is honestly sufficient for most.
Why was I rejected for postpaid?
Fresh Schufa file. Take prepaid or ID-light brands for 6 months, then retry.
Related guides
Keep going: these guides continue where this one ends.
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