Comparison · 3-way
Lebara vs Lyca vs Ortel: which German international SIM is best in 2026?
Updated May 14, 2026 · By Jules de Bruin · Three diaspora-focused German MVNOs on the same O2 host, scored on destination coverage, per-minute rates, and bundle value.
Updated May 2026. All three sit on the same Telefónica O2 network, so the choice comes down to destination rate cards, not signal. Lebara Germany wins for South Asian and broad EU diaspora users with its family-bundle Plus tariffs (e.g. 25 GB + 100 international minutes at €14.99/4 weeks). Lyca Mobile DE ships the strongest Western Balkans + Turkey rate cards and the Hero Net Flat at €19.99/28 days. Ortel Mobile (KPN-owned) routinely beats both on raw per-minute PAYG rates and tops out at 1,000 international minutes on Ortel Ultra (€39.99/28 days).
Lebara vs Lyca vs Ortel: which German international SIM is best in 2026?
Family-bundle generalist · South Asia + Africa specialist · Cheapest per-minute rates
Picking between the three is really picking which rate card matches your calling pattern. Lebara Germany is the best general-purpose pick — broadest EU + international bundle list, family multi-SIM discounts, transparent app. Lyca Mobile DE is the traditional international-SIM workhorse, optimised for South Asia, Turkey, and the Balkans. Ortel Mobile (owned by Dutch KPN) is the value play — usually the cheapest per-minute PAYG rates and the largest minute bundles via Ortel Ultra.
Lebara is the most polished of the three. The Plus M tariff ships 25 GB + 100 international minutes at €14.99/4 weeks on O2 5G, with multi-SIM family discounts that cut up to €5/month per extra line. eSIM is live, the app handles top-ups and add-on packs cleanly, and bundled minutes cover 50+ destinations across South Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
Lyca is the traditional international SIM. The Hero Net Flat at €19.99/28 days ships 20 GB, unlimited DE/EU calling, and a generous international minute bundle to South Asia, Turkey, the Western Balkans, and parts of Africa. The Easy XS at €4.99/28 days is the cheapest entry point in this comparison — useful when you only need PAYG international minutes on top of a small data plan.
Ortel Mobile is the KPN-owned value play. Its rate cards routinely beat Lebara and Lyca on raw per-minute PAYG charges to many destinations, and Ortel Ultra at €39.99/28 days ships 1,000 international minutes — the largest bundle of any German MVNO. Best for users who call multiple countries rather than one diaspora corridor, and for households where the cost per minute matters more than data caps.
Which has the better network?
All three on O2 Germany · identical cell sites · small data-throughput caps differ
None of them. All three are MVNOs on Telefónica O2 Germany, so the cell sites, antennas, and basic signal quality are the same on Lebara, Lyca, and Ortel. O2 ranks third in connect's annual German network test behind Telekom and Vodafone — strong in cities, weaker in rural Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The differences between the three brands are tariff-level, not network-level.
That said, there are two small technical caveats worth knowing. Lebara and Lyca both advertise O2 5G access on their higher-tier tariffs (HELLO! and Hero Net Flat respectively), while Ortel typically caps users at LTE at the time of writing. For voice quality (the actual use case here) this has zero impact. For tethering or video streaming on a fast 5G cell, Lebara and Lyca have a small edge.
The second caveat is data throughput. O2 throttles MVNO traffic differently than its own postpaid customers, but the throttle ceiling is similar across the three brands (commonly ~25–50 Mbit/s download in normal conditions). If you stream Bundesliga on the go, none of these are ideal — a Telekom MVNO like fraenk or congstar will feel snappier. For international calling, the throttle is irrelevant: a voice call uses 30–60 KB/s.
Which destinations does each cover?
Lebara: broad EU + South Asia · Lyca: Balkans & TR · Ortel: long-tail destinations
All three cover the top-20 diaspora destinations from Germany, but the bundled-minute coverage differs sharply. Lebara is the broadest generalist. Lyca is built for the Turkish, Western Balkans, and South Asian corridors. Ortel covers the largest long-tail list (Latin America, francophone Africa, smaller Asian markets) at PAYG rates that beat the other two.
| Destination region | Lebara Germany | Lyca Mobile DE | Ortel Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Asia (IN, PK, BD, LK) | Bundled on Plus tariffs | Bundled + cheapest PAYG | Strong PAYG, no bundle |
| Turkey | Bundled (limited mins) | Bundled, traditional strength | Competitive PAYG |
| Western Balkans (RS, HR, BA, AL, XK) | PAYG only | Bundled, market leader | PAYG, mid-range |
| Eastern Europe (PL, RO, BG, UA) | EU bundle + intl minutes | Bundled (most) | EU bundle |
| West Africa (NG, GH, SN) | PAYG only | Bundled, some NG mins | Strongest PAYG rates |
| SE Asia (PH, VN, ID) | Bundled on higher tiers | Bundled (PH only) | Strong PAYG breadth |
| Middle East (LB, SY, IR, IQ) | PAYG, mid-range | PAYG | Lowest PAYG rates |
| Latin America (BR, CO, PE) | PAYG only | PAYG only | Bundled on some tiers |
Source: Operator tariff pages, verified May 2026 — verify exact bundled-destination list before sign-up
The pattern is consistent. Lebara shines when your traffic mixes South Asia plus the EU. Lyca dominates when your single primary destination is Turkey or any Western Balkans country. Ortel matters when your destinations don't fit either diaspora — calls to Lebanon, Senegal, Vietnam, or Brazil, where bundled minutes don't exist on any plan and the per-minute PAYG rate becomes the deciding number.
What does each provider charge per minute?
PAYG rates to TR, IN, PK, NG, PH · check before buying a bundle
Once you exceed a bundle's included minutes, the per-minute charge kicks in — and this is where Ortel tends to win. The table below shows representative PAYG cents-per-minute rates across the five most-called diaspora destinations from Germany. Treat these as a baseline only; operators adjust quarterly. Always confirm on the official tariff page before topping up.
| Destination | Lebara DE | Lyca Mobile DE | Ortel Mobile | Cheapest pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey (mobile) | 9 ct/min | 5 ct/min | 7 ct/min | Lyca |
| India (mobile) | 2 ct/min | 1 ct/min | 1 ct/min | Lyca / Ortel |
| Pakistan (mobile) | 9 ct/min | 6 ct/min | 5 ct/min | Ortel |
| Nigeria (mobile) | 9 ct/min | 6 ct/min | 5 ct/min | Ortel |
| Philippines (mobile) | 9 ct/min | 9 ct/min | 7 ct/min | Ortel |
Source: Lebara, Lyca, Ortel public tariff pages, verified May 2026. Rates exclude promotional periods. Verify before publish.
Two rules of thumb. First, for landline destinations all three are typically cheaper than mobile by 2–5 cents per minute — useful when calling fixed-line numbers in Eastern Europe. Second, the connection fee (a one-off charge per call) matters more than the per-minute rate on calls under 2 minutes. Lebara historically waives it; Lyca and Ortel apply it to PAYG calls. For 30-second status calls, Lebara wins even when its per-minute rate looks higher.
Which has the best bundle deals?
Plan-by-plan pricing · entry, mid, and unlimited tiers
For a heavy international user, bundled minutes beat PAYG on any plan above ~30 minutes/month. The right pick depends on whether you need cheap entry (Easy XS / Smart World XS at €4.99) or maximum minutes (Ortel Ultra at €39.99, 1,000 international minutes). Lebara's mid-tier Plus M at €14.99 is the sweet spot for most diaspora households.
| Tier | Lebara DE | Lyca Mobile DE | Ortel Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | HELLO! S — €9.99/28d, 7 GB, DE flat | Easy XS — €4.99/28d, 5 GB, PAYG intl | Smart World XS — €4.99/28d, 3 GB + 120 intl min |
| Mid | Plus M — €14.99/4 wks, 25 GB + 100 intl min | Hero Net M — €14.99/28d, 12 GB + intl bundle | Smart World M — €14.99/28d, 10 GB + 500 intl min |
| Top prepaid | HELLO! Prepaid 25 — 25 GB, EU + intl bundle | Hero Net Flat — €19.99/28d, 20 GB unlimited DE/EU | Ortel Ultra — €39.99/28d, 1,000 intl min |
| Contract | 24-month tariffs up to 200 GB on O2 5G | Prepaid focus | Prepaid focus |
Source: Lebara.de, Lycamobile.de, Ortelmobile.de tariff pages, verified May 2026
Decoded: Lebara has the cleanest mid-tier value — 25 GB and 100 international minutes for €14.99 is hard to beat for a household calling parents abroad once a week. Lyca's Hero Net Flat wins for users who want truly unlimited German + EU calling. Ortel's Smart World M ships five times Lebara's included international minutes at the same monthly price — the right choice for someone with hour-long calls to family every week.
What are the pros and cons of each?
Strengths and limitations side by side
All three deliver on the basic promise — a German SIM that calls home cheaply. The differences are in plan structure, retail distribution, and operational polish. Lebara has the best app and family discounts. Lyca has the deepest diaspora retail footprint. Ortel has the keenest rate card but the thinnest user experience.
Lebara Germany
Pros
- Family multi-SIM discounts up to €5/line
- eSIM live with self-serve activation
- 24-month contract option alongside prepaid
- Polished app for top-ups and add-on packs
- Broad bundled-destination list (50+)
Cons
- Per-minute PAYG rates rarely the cheapest
- Weakest on Western Balkans destinations
- Entry tariff (HELLO! S) priced above Lyca/Ortel
Lyca Mobile DE
Pros
- Cheapest Turkey, Serbia, Croatia rates
- Hero Net Flat at €19.99 is best unlimited bundle
- Strong Western Balkans + South Asian retail
- eSIM available via app or website
- Entry tariff at €4.99 (Easy XS) for light users
Cons
- Connection fees on PAYG international calls
- Prepaid only — no contract path
- App and self-service less polished than Lebara
- Auto-renewal of options can surprise new users
Ortel Mobile
Pros
- Routinely cheapest per-minute rates
- Ortel Ultra: 1,000 intl minutes — largest bundle
- Broadest long-tail destination coverage
- KPN parent (Dutch incumbent) financial stability
- Multicultural retail near home for top-ups
Cons
- O2 LTE-only on most tariffs (no 5G)
- eSIM rollout incomplete — verify before buying
- No family discount or multi-line plans
- Prepaid only, no contract option
Should you pick Lebara, Lyca, or Ortel?
Three decision rules · one for each provider
Decide by destination and call volume. Lebara if you want one SIM that does everything reasonably well, plus a contract path. Lyca if your main destination is Turkey, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Albania, or Kosovo — or if you want unlimited German calling at €19.99. Ortel if your calling profile is multi-destination PAYG or if you need 500+ international minutes per month.
- Pick Lebara Germany if… you're an Indian, Pakistani, Romanian, Polish, or Filipino household in Germany that calls home once or twice a week. The Plus M at €14.99 with 100 international minutes is the right default. Bonus if you want a second line for a partner — the family discount adds up.
- Pick Lyca Mobile DE if… you're a Turkish, Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, Albanian or Kosovar household, or your monthly bill is dominated by calls to those specific destinations. The PAYG rate to Turkey alone (often 5 ct/min) saves enough versus Lebara to pay for the SIM. Pick Hero Net Flat for unlimited German + EU calling on top.
- Pick Ortel Mobile if… you call three or more countries in a typical month, you need the lowest possible per-minute rate to West Africa or the Middle East, or you make hour-long calls to family and want a 500+ intl-minute bundle at the same monthly price as Lebara. Skip if you need 5G or eSIM today.
How do you switch between them?
German porting law · BNetzA-mandated process · takes 1–2 working days
Switching between Lebara, Lyca, and Ortel in Germany is fast because all three sit on the same O2 host — BNetzA mandates the porting process and operators must release your number within one working day of a valid request. You'll need your existing PUK or account number, your prepaid balance refunded (if applicable), and you'll need to re-register the new SIM with passport ID via video-ident or post-ident.
- Order the new SIM and complete identity verification. All three operators run a video-ident session (smartphone, passport, ~5 minutes) or post-ident (Deutsche Post counter). This is mandatory under German prepaid rules and cannot be skipped. (BNetzA enforcement, applies to all prepaid SIMs in DE)
- Request the porting key (Rufnummernportierung) from your current operator. Call customer service or use the app; you'll receive a Portierungsauftrag document and a one-off fee of €6.82 capped by BNetzA. Specify the date you want the port to happen.
- Submit the porting form to the new operator. Upload it via the Lebara/Lyca/Ortel app or customer-care page. Include your current SIM number, the requested port date, and your IBAN for the fee refund (if your old operator credits it back).
- Wait for the port window (usually 1 working day). The old SIM goes inactive at midnight on the port date; the new SIM activates within a few hours. You may briefly lose service mid-morning — toggle airplane mode if signal doesn't return within an hour.
- Test calls to your top international destination. Confirm bundled minutes are deducting correctly by placing a 1-minute test call. Check the new operator's app to verify the bundle counter is decrementing — not the prepaid balance.
One catch. If you're on a 24-month Lebara contract and want to port to Lyca or Ortel, you must wait for the contract to end or pay the remaining months as an early-termination fee. Prepaid-to-prepaid moves carry no such penalty. See our video-ident walkthrough for the identity step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Lebara, Lyca, and Ortel really on the same O2 network?expand_more
Yes. All three are MVNOs on the Telefónica O2 Germany radio network. Cell towers, signal coverage, and basic network performance are identical. The brands compete on rate cards, bundle structure, and customer-service language — not on network quality. The only small difference: Lebara and Lyca advertise 5G access on higher tiers, while Ortel typically caps users at LTE.
Do I need Anmeldung and passport ID to register a SIM?expand_more
You need a passport or EU national ID. You do not formally need an Anmeldung (registration of address) for prepaid — but you do need a valid German delivery address for the physical SIM. Lebara contracts may require SCHUFA and Anmeldung. The ID verification itself is done by video-ident (smartphone session) or post-ident (Deutsche Post). This is mandatory under the German anti-terror prepaid rules enforced by BNetzA.
Which of the three is cheapest for calling Turkey?expand_more
Lyca Mobile DE is the historical Turkey specialist with PAYG rates around 5 ct/min to Turkish mobiles. Lebara and Ortel sit at 7–9 ct/min. For bundle users, Lyca's Hero Net Flat at €19.99 includes generous Turkey minutes; Ortel's Smart World M ships 500 international minutes that work to Turkey too. For high-volume Turkish callers, Lyca is the default; for everything-else generalists, Ortel still works out cheaper across the basket.
Do bundled minutes cover mobile and landline destinations?expand_more
Most bundles cover landline destinations in the full list, but only cover mobile destinations in a shorter subset. Lebara's Plus tariffs explicitly list mobile vs landline coverage per country. Lyca and Ortel vary by tariff. Always check the per-destination footnote on the tariff page — a "Pakistan-included" bundle may cover Pakistani landlines but charge mobiles at PAYG.
Can I keep my German number when porting between them?expand_more
Yes. BNetzA mandates that any German mobile number is portable between operators within one working day of a valid request. Request the Rufnummernportierung document from your current operator, submit it to the new one, and pay the one-off fee (capped at €6.82). All three of Lebara, Lyca, and Ortel accept inbound ports from each other and from any other German MVNO or MNO.
Do any of the three offer eSIM in Germany?expand_more
Lebara and Lyca both ship eSIM in Germany with self-serve QR-code activation on iPhone XS+ and Pixel 3+. Ortel's eSIM rollout has been slower and not all tariffs are eSIM-compatible — check the product page before buying. If eSIM is non-negotiable (e.g. for a dual-line setup with a German work number), Lebara is the most reliable choice. Physical SIMs from any of the three arrive in 2–5 working days.
Is EU roaming included on all three?expand_more
Yes, under the EU's Roam Like at Home (RLAH) rules. All three include EU/EEA roaming on prepaid tariffs at the same conditions as domestic use, subject to a fair-use cap. Note that Switzerland and the UK are not in the RLAH zone — you'll pay PAYG rates there unless your tariff explicitly includes them. Check the small print before a Schengen ski trip.