Timeline: Research at Week -8 · Buy on Day 1
Last updated: March 2026
You land at BER. Your phone is on roaming. You have nine browser tabs open, a suitcase to drag to an Airbnb, and an Anmeldung appointment to book. The last thing you need is to be fumbling at an airport kiosk trying to read a German tariff leaflet while the queue builds behind you.
Here is everything you need to know about getting a German SIM card — what to order before you even board the plane, what to buy on arrival day, and when to upgrade to a proper contract once you are settled.
The Two-Phase Strategy Every Expat Should Use
Most guides treat this as a single question: “which SIM should I buy?” The better framing is a two-phase approach that matches what you actually need at each stage of arrival.
Phase 1 — Bridge SIM (Week -8 to Week 2): Get data immediately. No German address, no bank account, no problem. This covers you from the moment you land until your Anmeldung is done.
Phase 2 — Long-Term SIM (Week 2 onwards): Once you have a registered address and a German bank account, you can switch to a proper monthly plan — more data, lower cost per GB, and a real German phone number.
Phase 1: Before You Arrive — The eSIM Option
If your phone was bought after 2019, there is a good chance it supports eSIM. This changes everything for new arrivals, because you can be fully connected before the plane touches down.
What Is an eSIM?
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card built into your phone. Instead of inserting a physical chip, you scan a QR code and your phone downloads the network profile. You can keep your home SIM active at the same time, running two numbers on one device. For expats, this means you can keep your home number running while using German data — useful for receiving bank OTPs or calls from your old network during the transition period.
Checking eSIM Compatibility
Before ordering anything, confirm your device supports eSIM. The fastest way: go to Settings → General → About on iPhone and look for “Available SIMs,” or on Android, go to Settings → Network → SIM card manager and check for an “Add eSIM” option. iPhones from XS onwards (2018), Samsung Galaxy S20 onwards, Google Pixel 3 onwards, and most flagship Android phones from 2020+ all support eSIM.
One important caveat: if you bought your phone on a locked carrier plan — common with US or UK budget contracts — it may be SIM-locked and unable to use foreign eSIMs. Contact your carrier to unlock it before departure.
Airalo — Best for the Transition Period
Airalo is the market leader in travel eSIMs and the most practical option for the weeks before and immediately after arrival. You download the app, buy a plan, and have German data within minutes — no post office, no shop, no German required.
What Airalo offers for Germany:
Airalo’s Germany eSIMs operate on the Vodafone 4G/LTE network. Plans are data-only — no voice calls, no SMS. For WhatsApp, Signal, and most expat use cases in the first weeks, this is not a problem. For receiving bank verification codes by SMS, it is — factor this in.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 1 GB | 7 days | ~$4 |
| Standard | 3 GB | 30 days | ~$9 |
| Comfort | 5 GB | 30 days | ~$13 |
| Value | 10 GB | 30 days | ~$18 |
| Best Buy | 20 GB | 30 days | ~$26 |
The 20 GB plan works out to roughly €1.20–€1.30 per GB, which is competitive for a no-commitment data plan. For most expats covering their first 2–4 weeks, the 10 GB or 20 GB plan is the right call.
Airalo setup steps:
- Download the Airalo app (iOS or Android)
- Search for “Germany” or “Europe”
- Purchase your plan — payment by card or PayPal
- Receive a QR code by email and in-app
- Install the eSIM via Settings (you can do this at home before departure)
- Set the eSIM as your data line when you land
Important: Install the eSIM before you leave, while you have stable Wi-Fi. Once you land, just switch to it. The plan activates when it first connects to the German network.
Airalo honest verdict: Excellent for day 1 connectivity. Not a long-term solution — data-only, no German number, and costs per GB rise as you scale up. Think of it as your bridge, not your destination.
Phase 1: At the Airport — BER and Frankfurt
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
BER Terminal 1 has network operator shops in the arrivals area. You will find Vodafone, Telekom, and O2 branded kiosks or small stores near baggage claim and the ground-level exit. Opening hours vary but most are staffed from 7:00 to 21:00.
What you can buy at BER on arrival:
- Prepaid SIM starters from all three major networks
- Basic prepaid holiday packs (usually €15–30 for 10–15 GB, 28 days)
- Physical SIM cards requiring passport ID verification on the spot
The honest advice: Airport SIM prices are 20–40% higher than what you will pay in the city or online. Unless you genuinely have no eSIM option, skip the airport kiosk. Take the S-Bahn into Berlin on your existing roaming or Airalo data, and sort your SIM in town within 24 hours.
If you do need to buy at BER: the Telekom store offers the most reliable network if you are travelling across Germany, but Vodafone’s airport prepaid packs often have better data-to-price ratios for city use.
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Frankfurt arrivals are different. Major network stores are not present in all halls. Arrival Hall B has a Currency Exchange shop selling Lebara prepaid SIMs (€39 for 10 GB + unlimited German calls + 250 international minutes, 28 days) and an Ortel store. That is essentially your choice. Frankfurt airport SIMs are overpriced for what you get — the Lebara airport pack costs roughly four times the equivalent monthly price you would pay in the city. Again: if you have an eSIM option, use it until you reach the city.
Phase 1: City Centre — What to Buy Without an Address
You do not need an Anmeldung to buy a prepaid SIM in Germany. You need a passport (or EU ID card). That is it. No proof of address, no bank account, no credit check.
This is one of the most misunderstood facts about German SIM cards — and one that causes unnecessary stress for new arrivals.
Lebara — Best Prepaid Option for New Arrivals
Lebara runs on the O2 network (Telefónica), which offers strong urban coverage across German cities. For Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Frankfurt, this is perfectly adequate. In rural areas, Telekom’s network outperforms O2, but if you are city-based, Lebara is the most expat-friendly prepaid option available.
Why Lebara works for new arrivals:
- No Anmeldung required for prepaid
- No German bank account required — top up by card, PayPal, or cash vouchers
- English-language customer service and app interface
- Competitive international calling rates to 50+ countries — useful when you are still coordinating with family at home
- Physical SIM cards available at DM, Rewe, Saturn, MediaMarkt, and Lebara’s own website
Lebara HELLO! prepaid plans (as of 2025–2026):
| Plan | Data | Calls/SMS | International Minutes | Price / 4 Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HELLO! XS | 6 GB (12 GB online new customer) | Unlimited Germany | 50 mins to 50 countries | €4.99 |
| HELLO! M | 9 GB | Unlimited Germany | 150 mins to 50 countries | €6.99 |
| HELLO! L | 15 GB | Unlimited Germany | 300 mins to 50 countries | €9.99 |
| HELLO! XL | 25 GB | Unlimited Germany | 500 mins to 50 countries | €12.99 |
Prices verified from Lebara.de. Always confirm current pricing at lebara.de/en before purchasing, as promotional data bonuses change regularly.
Key detail: Lebara does not currently offer eSIM in Germany. You need a physical SIM card. Order online for free delivery to a German address, or buy in-store at a DM or Rewe supermarket — they stock the starter packs near the phone accessories section, usually for €0–€5 (the activation credit often covers the SIM cost).
One thing Lebara does exceptionally well: International minutes included in every plan. If you are calling India, Turkey, Nigeria, Brazil, or any of the 50+ covered countries while you settle in, no other prepaid plan at this price point competes.
One limitation: Lebara prepaid SIM goes dormant after 90 days of inactivity. Set a calendar reminder to use it at least once every three months if you transition to a contract but keep the Lebara number as a backup.
Congstar — Best Prepaid If You Want Telekom Network Quality
Congstar is a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom — meaning you get Germany’s best-rated network infrastructure at discount brand prices. If you are spending time in smaller German cities, commuting regionally, or simply want maximum reliability, Congstar is worth the slightly higher price.
Congstar Prepaid Allnet plans (as of 2025–2026):
| Plan | Data | Calls/SMS | 5G | Price / 4 Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allnet XS | 1 GB | Unlimited | No | €5 |
| Allnet S | 3 GB (5 GB promo) | Unlimited | No | €7 |
| Allnet M | 15 GB (25 GB promo) | Unlimited | Yes (25 Mbps) | €10 |
| Allnet L | 20 GB (40 GB promo) | Unlimited | Yes (25 Mbps) | €12 |
| Allnet XL | 30 GB | Unlimited | Yes (25 Mbps) | €16 |
Congstar frequently runs new-customer promotions that double data allowances. Check congstar.de for current offers.
Key detail for new arrivals: Congstar online orders require a SEPA direct debit (German bank account) for monthly subscription management. For prepaid top-ups without a bank account, buy a physical Congstar starter pack in a Telekom shop, Saturn, or MediaMarkt for ~€9.99 (includes €10 credit). Top up by cash voucher or card thereafter — no bank account needed.
Congstar honest verdict: Better network than Lebara, slightly more cumbersome setup for those without a German bank account yet. The sweet spot for expats is to start with Lebara prepaid on day 1, then switch to Congstar (or go full contract) once your bank account is open.
Plan Comparison: Prepaid Options Side by Side
| Airalo (eSIM) | Lebara HELLO! L | Congstar Allnet M | Vodafone CallYa M | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network | Vodafone (4G only) | O2 | Telekom | Vodafone |
| Data | 5–20 GB | 15 GB | 15–25 GB | 5 GB |
| Price / month | ~€12–24 | €9.99 | €10 | €14.99 |
| Calls (Germany) | ❌ Data only | ✅ Unlimited | ✅ Unlimited | ✅ Unlimited |
| International calls | ❌ | ✅ 300 mins | ❌ | ❌ |
| eSIM | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| 5G | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (capped) | ✅ |
| Anmeldung needed? | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| German bank needed? | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ (top-up only) | ❌ |
| English app/support | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ (German only) | Partial |
| Best for | Day 1 bridge | First 1–3 months | Telekom network | Frequent travellers |
ID Verification: What You Actually Need
When you buy a prepaid SIM in Germany — in a shop or by having it delivered — the provider is legally required to verify your identity under the Telekommunikationsgesetz (TKG). This is done one of three ways:
In a physical shop: Present your passport or EU national ID card. The staff scan or photograph it. Process takes two minutes.
Delivered by post (PostIdent): The SIM arrives in a sealed letter via Deutsche Post. The postal carrier verifies your ID at your door — passport required. You cannot hand it off to a neighbour or sign for it without ID present.
Online VideoIdent: Some providers (including Lebara) offer video verification via their app. You hold your passport up to the camera, perform a live face verification, and the SIM is activated within minutes. This is the fastest method for online orders.
What you do not need: German address, Anmeldung confirmation, SCHUFA score, German bank account, or any proof of residency. Your passport is sufficient for prepaid. Keep this in mind if a shop assistant tells you otherwise — it is incorrect.
Phase 2: Upgrading to a Contract — When and How
Once you have your Anmeldung done (usually within 2–4 weeks of arrival) and a German bank account open, you are eligible for a proper mobile contract — and the economics shift decisively in the contract’s favour.
Why Switch?
A comparable monthly plan on contract costs roughly 30–40% less than prepaid for the same data. A 20 GB prepaid plan that costs €15–18 per month becomes a 30–50 GB contract plan for €12–15 on a 24-month commitment. If you are staying in Germany for a year or more, the maths are straightforward.
What You Need to Sign a Contract
- German address (Anmeldung): Required for billing and delivery
- German bank account (IBAN): For direct debit (Lastschrift) — this is the standard payment method
- SCHUFA check: Most providers run a soft credit check. As a new arrival with no SCHUFA history, you are not blacklisted — you simply have no score. Most providers accept new arrivals with a blank SCHUFA, though a small deposit may be requested for premium plans. See the separate SCHUFA guide for how to handle this.
- Passport or German residence permit
Best Contract Options for Expats
O2 Free M (monthly cancellable option): O2 offers monthly-cancellable contracts — a genuine contract-quality plan without the 24-month lock-in. More expensive than the committed plan but far more flexible. Starting from ~€25–30/month for 25+ GB. Useful for expats unsure of their stay duration.
Congstar Flex: Congstar’s monthly contract gives Telekom-network quality at roughly €20–25/month for 20–30 GB. Cancellable with 4 weeks’ notice. No SCHUFA hard check in most cases.
Telekom MagentaMobil: The premium option. Best network in Germany, 5G where available, English-language customer support available. Starts around €35/month for 20 GB on a 24-month contract. Worth it if you travel across Germany regularly or work from rural areas.
Vodafone CallYa Allnet contract: Vodafone’s network is strong in West Germany and in international roaming across Europe. Competitive pricing at €19.99–29.99/month range for monthly-cancellable options.
The Number Portability Point
When you upgrade from prepaid to contract, you can keep your existing German number. The German word is Rufnummernmitnahme. Most providers handle the transfer within 1–3 business days. This matters because by the time you switch, your German number will already be in your landlord’s phone, your Finanzamt registration, and your Krankenkasse account — you want to keep it.
Lebara specifically advertises a €10 bonus if you port your number away from them — which means they pay you to leave cleanly. Keep this in mind when timing your switch.
The “No Anmeldung Yet” Decision Tree
Use this to figure out exactly what to do based on your current situation:
Just booked your flight, not yet in Germany → Order Airalo eSIM now. Install before departure, activate on landing. You will have data from the moment you step off the plane.
Arrived, no eSIM, no SIM → Go to DM or Rewe within 24 hours. Buy a Lebara HELLO! L prepaid starter. Present your passport. You will be connected before your first Döner.
Want Telekom network quality and have cash → Buy Congstar starter pack in a Telekom or Saturn store. Top up with a cash voucher. No bank account needed.
Anmeldung done, bank account open, staying 12+ months → Switch to a monthly contract. O2 Free (monthly), Congstar Flex, or Vodafone CallYa contract depending on your network preference.
Unsure how long you are staying → Stay on Lebara prepaid or O2 monthly-cancellable contract. Never sign 24-month contracts until you are confident in your timeline.
Quick Reference: Where to Buy
| Where | What is available | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DM / Rossmann drugstore | Lebara, Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect | €0–10 starter | Fastest and most accessible |
| Rewe / Edeka supermarket | Lebara, Edeka smart | €0–10 starter | Near the phone accessories rack |
| Saturn / MediaMarkt | Telekom, Vodafone, O2, Congstar | €0–15 starter | Staff can help activate |
| Telekom Shop (T-Punkt) | Telekom, Congstar | €9.99 starter | Best for Congstar in-store activation |
| Online (lebara.de) | Lebara — shipped to German address | Free SIM | PostIdent or VideoIdent verification |
| BER Airport | Vodafone, Telekom, O2 | €15–30 pack | Convenient but overpriced |
| FRA Airport (Hall B) | Lebara, Lycamobile | €39–40 pack | Limited choice, overpriced |
| Airalo app (eSIM) | Airalo Germany | $4–26 | Best pre-arrival data option |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1 — Buying a tourist SIM at the airport when you are moving permanently. Airport packs are priced for people who need 10 days of holiday data. If you are moving to Berlin, you need a plan you can run for months. The €39 airport pack lasts 28 days. A Lebara HELLO! L prepaid plan gives you more data at €9.99 per month indefinitely.
Mistake 2 — Assuming you need an address before getting a SIM. You do not. Passport only for prepaid. Do not let this stop you from getting connected on day 1.
Mistake 3 — Signing a 24-month contract in the first week. Tempting because the prices look good. Inadvisable before you know your apartment situation, employer, and whether you are staying. Wait for your Anmeldung and then decide.
Mistake 4 — Not keeping your Airalo eSIM active during the transition. If you are waiting for a Lebara SIM to arrive by post, having Airalo as backup saves you from dead spots. Run them simultaneously until you are confident your German number is stable.
Mistake 5 — Ignoring which network your SIM runs on. Lebara uses O2 (weakest rural coverage). Congstar uses Telekom (strongest rural). If you are moving to a smaller city or commuting to the countryside, this difference matters.
Summary
Getting connected in Germany does not require bureaucratic groundwork. On your first day, you need a passport and the willingness to walk into a DM or order an Airalo eSIM before you leave home. That is it.
The two-phase approach — bridge SIM first, proper contract after Anmeldung — saves money, avoids commitment before you are ready, and gives you a German number that you can port seamlessly when you upgrade. The worst thing you can do is either overpay at the airport or wait two weeks with no German number while hunting for your first apartment.
Order the eSIM today. Deal with the contract in week three.
