Listicle · 6 picks
Which cheap Austrian SIM is best under EUR 10 in 2026?
Updated May 14, 2026 · By Jules de Bruin · Six budget Austrian prepaid SIMs ranked on price-per-GB, network host, and EU roaming.
Updated May 2026. Austria has six mainstream prepaid SIMs that cost under EUR 10 per month. spusu is the cheapest by price-per-gigabyte at EUR 4.90 for 2 GB on the Drei network. HoT (Hofer Telekom) sells at every Hofer supermarket for EUR 5.90 with 5 GB on Magenta. yesss! and bob get you on the A1 network for EUR 7.90 with 8 GB. All Austrian SIMs require passport or EU national ID registration since 2019 under RTR rules, and all include EU Roam Like at Home.
Which cheap Austrian SIM is best in 2026?
Best value per GB · Supermarket pick · A1 access · Drei own network · Turkish/international
For most Austrian residents, spusu Spusu 2 GB at EUR 4.90/month wins on price-per-gigabyte and runs on the Drei radio network. If you want a SIM you can pick up the same day from a supermarket, HoT (Hofer Telekom) at EUR 5.90 for 5 GB on Magenta is the convenience pick. yesss! and bob get you onto A1 for EUR 7.90 with 8 GB — the right call if you live or commute in rural Austria.
spusu is Austria's lowest-priced mainstream MVNO. The 2 GB tariff at EUR 4.90/month is the cheapest sub-EUR-5 plan on the market, with unmetered 1,000 minutes and 1,000 SMS in Austria and EU Roam Like at Home. Runs on the Drei radio network. No minimum term, monthly billing, eSIM available.
HoT is short for Hofer Telekom: the supermarket chain's own MVNO sold at every Hofer (Aldi Süd) checkout in Austria. The entry plan is EUR 5.90 for 5 GB plus 1,000 free minutes and SMS, on the Magenta network. Buy the starter pack at the till, register with passport/ID online, activated within minutes. Self-service through the HoT app.
yesss! is the A1-owned discount brand — you get the full A1 network, Austria's strongest rural and Alpine coverage, for EUR 7.90 with 8 GB. Unlimited minutes and SMS in Austria, EU roaming under the Roam Like at Home cap, no minimum term, no contract. Easy mobile-number portability if you already have an A1 group number.
bob is the other A1-owned MVNO. Same A1 radio coverage as yesss!, EUR 7.90 for 8 GB, 1,000 free minutes plus 1,000 SMS, EU Roam Like at Home included. Slightly more polished web self-service and tends to run signup promotions (free first month, double data) more often than yesss!. Pick whichever brand has the live promo on the day you sign up.
Drei (Hutchison Drei Austria) is one of Austria's three MNOs, not an MVNO. The own-network entry plan is EUR 8.00 for 10 GB with unlimited national minutes and SMS — the most generous data allowance in the sub-EUR-10 tier. Drei has the largest data buckets industry-wide and strong urban 5G coverage, especially in Vienna and Graz. EU roaming included.
ay yildiz is a Magenta-owned MVNO purpose-built for Turkish-speaking customers and the wider Western Balkans diaspora. Entry plan is in the EUR 7-9 range with cheap minutes to Turkey, Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia and North Macedonia. Customer service available in Turkish. Runs on Magenta's network. Pick this only if you regularly call non-EU destinations — otherwise spusu or HoT beat it on raw value.
What are the top 5 cheapest mobile plans in Austria?
Ranked by monthly price · all sub-EUR-10 · all include EU roaming
The five cheapest mainstream Austrian SIM plans for 2026 fall between EUR 4.90 and EUR 8.00 per month. spusu leads on price (EUR 4.90, 2 GB). HoT follows at EUR 5.90 with 5 GB. yesss! and bob tie at EUR 7.90 for 8 GB on A1. Drei rounds out the list at EUR 8.00 for 10 GB on its own network. All five include unlimited national minutes — usually called Free Einheiten — and EU Roam Like at Home.
| Rank | Provider & tariff | Network host | Price | Data | Minutes / SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | spusu Spusu 2 | Drei (MVNO) | EUR 4.90/mo | 2 GB | 1,000 / 1,000 |
| 2 | HoT Fix Small | Magenta (MVNO) | EUR 5.90/mo | 5 GB | 1,000 / 1,000 |
| 3 | yesss! SIMple S | A1 (MVNO) | EUR 7.90/mo | 8 GB | Unlimited / Unlimited |
| 4 | bob bob 8 | A1 (MVNO) | EUR 7.90/mo | 8 GB | 1,000 / 1,000 |
| 5 | Drei 3Data Klein | Drei (own) | EUR 8.00/mo | 10 GB | Unlimited / Unlimited |
Source: spusu.at, hot.at, yesss.at, bob.at, drei.at — operator tariff pages, verified May 2026. Prices exclude one-off SIM/eSIM activation fee (typically EUR 9.90).
Which Austrian mobile network does the cheap plan run on?
A1 · Magenta · Drei — the three Austrian MNOs and which budget brands ride them
Austria has exactly three mobile network operators: A1 Telekom Austria, Magenta Telekom (formerly T-Mobile Austria), and Drei Austria (Hutchison). Every cheap SIM is either one of these three operators selling a discount tariff or a budget brand (MVNO) reselling capacity. The host network determines coverage and speed — the brand just sets the price and bundle.
If you live in rural Austria or hike or ski regularly, pick a SIM on A1 — that means yesss!, bob, or A1 itself. RTR's coverage maps and connect magazine's annual netzTest both consistently rank A1 first for rural and Alpine reach. In Vienna, all three networks perform well, so price wins — that puts spusu or HoT on top. Drei has the most generous data allowances on its own brand but historically thinner coverage in rural Burgenland and Carinthia.
- A1 network MVNOs. yesss! (A1-owned), bob (A1-owned), Educom, and Telering all run on A1.
- Magenta network MVNOs. HoT (Hofer Telekom), ay yildiz, and Magenta's own prepaid Wertkarten use Magenta's masts.
- Drei network MVNOs. spusu, Lidl Connect Austria, and Drei's own tariffs ride Drei's radio access.
What ID is required to register an Austrian SIM?
Mandatory since 1 January 2019 — RTR enforces under Austria's anti-terror amendment
Every Austrian SIM — prepaid or contract — must be registered to a verified identity. The rule has been in force since 1 January 2019 under the Telekommunikationsgesetz (TKG) and is enforced by RTR, Austria's telecoms regulator. You need either a passport, an EU national ID card, or an Austrian residence-permit card to activate the SIM.
Accepted documents include any EU/EEA national ID card, a passport from any country, or an Austrian residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel). Online sign-ups for HoT, spusu, yesss! and bob all use a video-identification flow — you hold up your ID on camera for a few minutes. In-person at Hofer, Spar, Billa, MediaMarkt or any A1 / Magenta / Drei shop, the cashier scans the document at the till.
Should you choose prepaid (Wertkarte) or contract (Vertrag) in Austria?
Wertkarte for flexibility · Vertrag for handset bundles and slightly lower per-month price
For under EUR 10 per month, prepaid (Wertkarte) almost always wins. Austrian prepaid plans give you the same data and network for less money than a comparable contract (Vertrag), and you can stop or switch any month. Choose a 24-month Vertrag only if you want a subsidised handset or you specifically need a billed corporate invoice for tax purposes.
| Dimension | Prepaid (Wertkarte) | Contract (Vertrag) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum term | None — pay month to month | 12 or 24 months typical |
| Credit check | Not required | KSV1870 credit check required |
| Anmeldung required | No | Yes (Meldezettel address) |
| Austrian IBAN | Optional — top up by voucher | Usually required for SEPA direct debit |
| Activation fee | EUR 9.90 typical (one-off) | EUR 19.90-39.90 typical |
| Handset subsidy | No | Yes — cheaper monthly handset finance |
Source: RTR consumer guidance, operator terms, verified May 2026
How do Austrian SIM providers compare on coverage?
A1 for rural + Alpine · Magenta for Vienna + bundles · Drei for urban 5G speed
All three Austrian networks cover more than 98% of the population on 4G, but they differ on rural reach, indoor signal, and 5G build-out. A1 has the widest rural and Alpine coverage and the best indoor reception. Magenta is strongest in Vienna and across Austria's other urban centres. Drei trails on rural reach but leads on raw 5G speed in cities.
| Network | 4G coverage | 5G coverage | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | 99% pop. | ~85% | Rural Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Burgenland | Slightly slower urban peak speeds |
| Magenta | 98% pop. | ~80% | Vienna, Linz, Graz indoor | Thinner Alpine valley coverage |
| Drei | 98% pop. | ~75% | Top peak 5G download speed in cities | Patchier rural coverage |
Source: RTR Breitbandatlas, connect netzTest 2025, nPerf Austria 2026, verified May 2026
How do you buy and activate a cheap Austrian SIM?
Hofer · Spar · MediaMarkt · or order online with video-ident
You can buy a cheap Austrian SIM in two ways: walk into a supermarket or electronics store and pay at the till, or order online and complete video identification. In-store activation typically takes 10-15 minutes; online activation takes about an hour because of the ID-check video call. You need an unlocked phone, an ID document, and (for top-ups) cash, card, or a credit/debit card.
- Pick the SIM and the seller. HoT is sold at every Hofer (Aldi Süd) checkout for EUR 9.90 starter pack. Lidl Connect sits at every Lidl till. yesss! and bob are stocked at Spar supermarkets, BIPA, MediaMarkt and Saturn. spusu and Drei sell online and at their own stores. (5 minutes)
- Buy the starter pack. Pay EUR 9.90-19.90 for the physical SIM card or eSIM activation voucher. The pack contains a code and instructions. (2 minutes)
- Register your identity. Open the operator's app or website, enter the code, scan your passport or EU national ID. For online sign-up, complete a 5-minute video call where you hold up the document. (10-15 minutes)
- Choose your tariff. Select your starting plan (Spusu 2 at EUR 4.90, HoT Fix Small at EUR 5.90, yesss! SIMple S at EUR 7.90, etc.). Load a first top-up if it is a Wertkarte. (3 minutes)
- Insert the SIM or scan the eSIM QR. Wait for the network to register. You get an SMS confirming activation and the new Austrian +43 number. (5-10 minutes)
- Set up auto top-up (optional). Most operators let you auto-top-up monthly from an Austrian or EU IBAN. If you cannot open an Austrian bank account yet, use Revolut, Wise or N26 — their EU IBANs are accepted by spusu, HoT, yesss! and bob. (2 minutes)
What tips should expats know about cheap Austrian SIMs?
No Anmeldung needed for prepaid · Revolut/Wise IBAN accepted · German-only customer support is normal
If you have just moved to Austria, a prepaid Wertkarte is the fastest way to get a working +43 number. You do not need an Anmeldung (residence registration), an Austrian bank account or even a German-speaking friend — but a few practical details catch newcomers by surprise.
- Skip the Anmeldung waiting game. Anmeldung at the Meldeamt takes 2-4 weeks. A prepaid SIM only needs your passport — buy one the day you land, switch to a postpaid contract later if you want a subsidised iPhone.
- Use a Revolut, Wise or N26 IBAN. spusu, HoT, yesss! and bob all accept SEPA direct debit from any EU IBAN. You do not need to wait on opening an Erste, BAWAG or Raiffeisen account.
- Expect German-language customer support. Frontline support for HoT, spusu and yesss! is German-only. ay yildiz supports Turkish. A1 and Magenta business desks offer English. Use the operator's chatbot in English — it is usually trained on bilingual data.
- Buy at Hofer when you arrive at the airport. Vienna Airport (VIE) has a Hofer-on-the-go branch in the arrivals hall stocking HoT starter packs — the cheapest same-day SIM available without going into Vienna.
- Save EU roaming for travel home. All five providers include EU Roam Like at Home, so your Austrian SIM works in Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Poland and 22 other EU countries without surcharge. Note: Switzerland and the UK are not included.
- Switching is easy with MNP. Mobile number portability is free in Austria. Ask the old operator for a Rufnummermitnahme-Code; give it to the new operator at signup.
- Watch the activation fee. The advertised monthly price excludes the one-off SIM card or eSIM fee (typically EUR 9.90). Factor it in if you plan to switch operators every few months.
How did we rank these Austrian SIMs?
Five-dimension scoring · operator-verified pricing · independent rankings
All six providers were ranked on five equally-weighted dimensions: price-per-gigabyte, network host, included minutes and SMS, EU roaming policy, and availability (online plus retail footprint). Pricing was pulled from each operator's public tariff page in May 2026 and cross-checked against RTR's consumer comparison data.
1. Price per GB
Cents per gigabyte of data, calculated at the listed monthly tariff.
2. Network host
Which of A1, Magenta or Drei the brand resells. A1 ranks highest on coverage.
3. Minutes & SMS
Free Einheiten included in the monthly bundle. Unmetered ranks above capped.
4. EU roaming
Whether RLAH is included and any fair-use cap on data inside the EU.
5. Availability
Where you can actually buy the starter pack. Supermarket-stocked ranks higher.
Affiliate disclosure
SimCompare365 may earn a commission on confirmed sign-ups. Rankings are independent — see disclosure.
Sources: RTR.at consumer tariff comparison, spusu.at, hot.at, yesss.at, bob.at, drei.at, connect netzTest 2025. Last verified May 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest Austrian SIM in 2026? expand_more
spusu Spusu 2 at EUR 4.90 per month is the cheapest mainstream Austrian SIM tariff with a real data bundle. It includes 2 GB of data, 1,000 free national minutes and SMS, and EU Roam Like at Home. The SIM runs on the Drei radio network. HoT Fix Small at EUR 5.90 is the next step up with 5 GB and supermarket availability through Hofer.
Can tourists buy a prepaid SIM in Austria? expand_more
Yes. Since 2019 every Austrian SIM must be registered, but a passport from any country is accepted. You do not need an Austrian address or visa — the SIM is sold as a Wertkarte (prepaid). HoT starter packs at Hofer and yesss! starter packs at Spar or BIPA are the fastest options for tourists. The Vienna Airport Hofer branch in the arrivals hall is the quickest same-day option.
Does a cheap Austrian SIM include EU roaming? expand_more
Yes. All six providers (spusu, HoT, yesss!, bob, Drei, ay yildiz) include EU Roam Like at Home under EU Regulation 531/2012. Your Austrian data, minutes and SMS work in 26 other EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway with no surcharge. Fair-use limits may apply if you spend more time abroad than in Austria. Switzerland and the UK are not included — they fall outside the EU roaming zone.
Is HoT really cheaper than spusu? expand_more
No — spusu has the lower headline price at EUR 4.90 vs HoT's EUR 5.90. But HoT gives you 5 GB of data vs spusu's 2 GB, so HoT wins on price-per-gigabyte (EUR 1.18/GB vs EUR 2.45/GB). Pick HoT if you use more than 2-3 GB a month. Pick spusu if you mostly use Wi-Fi and want the absolute lowest monthly bill.
Do you need an Austrian bank account to buy a prepaid SIM? expand_more
No. Prepaid (Wertkarte) plans accept top-ups from cash vouchers sold at supermarkets, credit cards, debit cards, or any EU IBAN (Revolut, Wise, N26 are all accepted). Only postpaid contracts (Vertrag) typically require an Austrian SEPA direct debit. If you want auto-top-up monthly, a Revolut Standard or Wise account opens in 10 minutes online.
Can you keep your old number when switching? expand_more
Yes. Mobile number portability (Rufnummermitnahme) is free by law in Austria. Request a porting code from your current operator, give it to the new operator at signup, and the number transfers in 1-3 business days. You can port between MNOs and MVNOs freely — e.g. from A1 to HoT (Magenta-hosted) or from Drei to bob (A1-hosted) without issue.
Does the cheap SIM support eSIM and 5G? expand_more
spusu, HoT, yesss!, bob and Drei all support eSIM in 2026. 5G access depends on the brand and tariff: Drei's own-network plans include 5G by default; HoT and spusu offer 5G as an add-on or on higher tariffs (typically EUR 1-2/month extra). yesss! and bob give you 5G if your A1 network has coverage and your phone supports it. ay yildiz currently runs on 4G/LTE only.