BEST OVERALL
25 GB at €9.99/4w on Vodafone 5G. VideoIdent in any language. No German bank account or SCHUFA needed.
Why we picked it: Smoothest activation for new arrivals. 200 Germany-to-EU minutes is useful for calling family back home.
BEST ANNUAL
150 GB for €89.99/year on O2. Pay once for 12 months, no monthly cycles.
Why we picked it: Best if you're staying at least a year. Cheaper per Euro than any 4-week prepaid.
BEST FOR SIMPLICITY
20 GB at €10/mo on Telekom 5G with Switzerland included. App-only signup.
Why we picked it: Single tariff, zero complexity. Switzerland-inclusive roaming is rare. Right for expats who frequently visit CH.
BEST FOR HEAVY USERS
50 GB at €14.99/4w with 500 Germany-to-EU minutes/SMS.
Why we picked it: Best for expats who tether laptops or call EU family heavily. 2.5x the EU calling allowance of the S tier.
German telecoms law (TKG §111) requires identity verification before any SIM activates. Prepaid SIMs typically need just an EU-recognised photo ID + VideoIdent. Contract SIMs add SCHUFA credit check and a German IBAN.
| Requirement | Prepaid | Contract |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Required | Required |
| German address (Anmeldung) | Not required | Required |
| German IBAN | Not required | Required |
| SCHUFA credit check | Not run | Required |
| VideoIdent / PostIdent | Yes | Yes |
Yes, for prepaid. Pay with any EU debit/credit card; top up online or in supermarkets. Contract SIMs require a German IBAN for SEPA direct debit. N26 bank accounts are widely accepted, including for new arrivals without an Anmeldung yet.
Yes, for prepaid. The activation card can ship to a hotel or friend's address. Contract SIMs typically require a registered German address as part of the SCHUFA check — you'll likely fail the credit check without one in your first months.
Vodafone has the best English-language customer service. fraenk is app-only and the app is well-translated. O2 and 1&1 offer English by phone but most digital paths are German-first. Avoid supermarket brands (ja!, Penny, NORMA) if you don't read German fluently — their customer service is German-only.
Typical timeline: 3-6 months. After registering an address (Anmeldung), opening a German bank account (N26, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank), and getting a steady employer relationship onto your SCHUFA file, you become eligible for contracts. Until then, prepaid is your only realistic option.