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Prepaid, contract or travel eSIM: what to install
Written by
Janine El-Saghir
Janine El Saghir is an editor at How-to-Germany.com, where she specializes in the practical aspects of daily life and integration for expatriates. With years of...
Reviewed by
Erkan Boga
Erkan Boga is the founder and CEO of qmedia GmbH, the publishing house behind How-to-Germany.com. He established the platform with the clear vision of creating...
Edited by
Sadie Voss
Content Lead & Editor
Sadie Voss is the Lead Editor for How-to-Germany.com. As an expat who carved her own way into Berlin from the United States, Sadie is deeply...
Best Tariffs with eSIM
€19.95 for the first 24 months, then €29.95
€29.95 for the first 24 months, then €39.95
€34.95 for the first 24 months, then €49.95
€41.95 for the first 24 months, then €59.95
€55.95 for the first 24 months, then €79.95
€0 per 28 days
€4.99 per 28 days
€9.99 per 28 days
€14.99 per 28 days
€19.99 per 28 days
€79.99 per 28 days
€0 per 28 days
€9.99 per 28 days
€14.99 per 28 days
€19.99 per 28 days
€74.99 per 28 days
€5 per 28 days
€7 per 28 days
€10 per 28 days
€12 per 28 days
€16 per 28 days
€4.95 per 28 days
€9.95 per 28 days
€14.95 per 28 days
€19.95 per 28 days
€99.95 per 28 days
Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.
- If you need a German phone number and your phone supports eSIM, a prepaid eSIM is the fastest way: Vodafone CallYa and O2 Prepaid deliver the eSIM digitally right after the identity check, and Aldi Talk and Edeka smart do the same. Telekom prepaid customers activate a physical SIM first and switch to an eSIM afterwards. To activate any German SIM or eSIM, you need your passport and a German contact address (a temporary accommodation address is fine).
- If you’re planning a longer stay and have a SEPA bank account, you can get an eSIM with a mobile contract: Telekom, Vodafone and O2 let you pick the eSIM in the shopping cart, and the app brands fraenk (Telekom network) and SIMon mobile (Vodafone network) sell monthly cancellable eSIM plans without a 24-month commitment.
- For a short stay as a tourist, if you don’t need a local phone number, an international eSIM data plan from Holafly or Airalo is installed in the app before you land.
Prepaid eSIM tariffs are usually the easiest option if you have just arrived in Germany, do not want a long contract, or are still waiting for your Anmeldung, German IBAN, or SCHUFA record.
With prepaid plans, you pay in advance and can stop or switch at any time. This makes them useful for students, freelancers, job seekers, short-term workers, and new arrivals who want mobile data quickly without committing to a 24-month contract.
Before choosing a prepaid eSIM, check the network, the data volume per 4 weeks, the EU roaming conditions, the activation process, and whether the provider accepts your preferred payment method.
Best Regular Tariffs with eSIM
Regular eSIM tariffs can be a better fit if you live in Germany long term and want more data, stronger service options, or a plan that works like a standard German mobile contract.
These tariffs often include higher data allowances, better roaming packages, family or multi-SIM options, and more stable long-term pricing. In return, most regular mobile plans require a German address, a SEPA bank account, a successful identity check and, for the cheaper versions, a 24-month minimum term.
For expats, the best regular eSIM plan is usually the one that balances network quality, monthly cost, cancellation terms, and how easy the provider makes activation in English or through an app.
Contract-free app brands can be easier for expats
If you want the Telekom network without a traditional Telekom contract, look at fraenk: Telekom’s app-only brand sells a monthly cancellable postpaid plan with eSIM, paid by PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay or SEPA direct debit, with EU roaming that includes Switzerland and the UK. SIMon mobile is the equivalent on the Vodafone network — monthly cancellable, 5G included, eSIM selectable when ordering and switchable later in the customer portal.
App brands do not offer the same shop network, hotline or add-on flexibility as the major network operators. Always check the cancellation period, customer support language, payment options, and roaming rules before switching.
Best International Online eSIM
If you only need mobile data for a few weeks and no German phone number, an international travel eSIM is the simplest option. Holafly sells unlimited data plans for Germany priced by the number of days, installed before or during the trip and started when you arrive. Airalo sells Germany eSIMs by days with unlimited or fixed data. Both run on German networks (Holafly on Vodafone and Telefónica, Airalo on O2) and are managed entirely in their apps.
Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.
eSIM providers in Germany
Telekom, Vodafone and O2 are the biggest eSIM providers in Germany. All three offer eSIM for prepaid cards and contracts, and the family boxes below show their current packages.
Telekom
Telekom, known internationally as T-Mobile, is Europe’s largest telecommunications company. It’s the go-to German mobile provider for those seeking the best coverage — Telekom won the connect network test 01/2026 with the only “outstanding” rating — but this quality comes at a cost, with pricier plans than its competitors. Telekom’s EU roaming includes Switzerland and the UK, and its contracts come in a 24-month and a monthly cancellable version.
€4.95 per 28 days
€9.95 per 28 days
€14.95 per 28 days
€19.95 per 28 days
€99.95 per 28 days
Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.
Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.
How to get a Telekom eSIM?
Getting a Telekom eSIM is a straightforward process. If you’re opting for a contract plan, follow these steps:
- Select the contract plan on the Telekom website.
- Select the eSIM option in the shopping cart.
- You will receive your new eSIM profile as a QR code online in the customer centre.
- Scan the QR code with your mobile device’s camera to load your eSIM profile, and you’re all set.
For a Telekom prepaid eSIM, you first purchase and activate a standard prepaid SIM card — online by video identification or the automated Nect app, or in a Telekom shop. After activation, you can request the switch to an eSIM profile through Telekom’s customer service or customer portal.
Vodafone
Vodafone is the second-largest mobile network in Germany. It runs the former D2 network and delivers fast mobile internet speeds and good area coverage, rated “very good” in the connect network test 01/2026. Its postpaid tariffs are called Vodafone Mobil (the older GigaMobil name is still in use), its prepaid brand is CallYa.
Vodafone offers:
- A range of data plans, prepaid and on contract
- Unlimited calls and SMS in the Allnet packages
- EU roaming including the UK (Switzerland needs a travel package)
- eSIM for CallYa at the time of ordering — no physical card, no waiting for the post
€0 per 28 days
€4.99 per 28 days
€9.99 per 28 days
€14.99 per 28 days
€19.99 per 28 days
€79.99 per 28 days
Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.
€19.95 for the first 24 months, then €29.95
€29.95 for the first 24 months, then €39.95
€34.95 for the first 24 months, then €49.95
€41.95 for the first 24 months, then €59.95
€55.95 for the first 24 months, then €79.95
Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.
How to get a Vodafone eSIM?
Getting a Vodafone eSIM is a hassle-free process. Here’s how to do it:
- If you opt for a contract, choose your Vodafone Mobil tariff online — with or without a phone.
- Select eSIM in the shopping cart.
- After completing your order, you will find your eSIM data in MeinVodafone; online orders can push the profile straight to your phone.
- Download your eSIM to your smartphone.
For a prepaid plan, when choosing a CallYa tariff online, you can choose between a physical SIM card or an eSIM. With an eSIM, Vodafone sends you an email with a QR code (the activation code) and an ePIN (the confirmation code) after the identity check. Scan the QR code to install the eSIM, then enter the ePIN during installation. The profile can be active on one device at a time; if you switch phones, delete it from the old one first.
O2
Operated by Telefónica Germany, O2 is the third-largest mobile network in Germany. It offers low prices and high data volumes, making it an excellent choice for those living in larger cities, and its network was rated “very good” in the connect test 01/2026. In rural areas, O2’s coverage is less comprehensive than Telekom’s or Vodafone’s.
All three networks provide discounts for combining internet and TV services in your contract. It could be worth inquiring about these offers when signing up.
€0 per 28 days
€9.99 per 28 days
€14.99 per 28 days
€19.99 per 28 days
€74.99 per 28 days
Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.
Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.
How to get an O2 eSIM?
If you’re opting for a contract, you pick whether you want to receive an eSIM or a physical SIM card directly in the shopping cart before checking out. O2 always sends the eSIM QR code by letter within about 4 to 6 days; new customers who confirm their identity online right after ordering receive it digitally by email instead and can install the eSIM without waiting for the letter.
For a prepaid plan, O2 supports direct online prepaid eSIM ordering through its Freikarte and prepaid tariff pages. After ordering and completing the identity check, you receive the QR code by email or download the profile in Mein O2, then activate the eSIM on O2’s activation page. The eSIM profile can only be installed once; if you need it again, O2 issues a replacement eSIM free of charge.
International eSIM data plans in Germany
If you’re a tourist who doesn’t need a local phone number, there’s another option for you — international eSIM providers.
Specifically, Holafly and Airalo offer eSIM data plans for Germany that you buy and install in their apps before arrival. They are data-only: you keep using your home number for calls and messaging apps, and there is no German number for verification codes or local calls.
Holafly
Holafly offers prepaid eSIM data plans with unlimited data in Germany, priced by the number of days you’re travelling. The plan starts when you arrive and switch the eSIM on, you can share a limited amount of data per day with other devices via hotspot, and Holafly refunds the purchase for up to six months if the eSIM turns out to be incompatible with your phone or you no longer need it.
Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.
Airalo
Airalo is another popular choice for tourists seeking cheap eSIM data plans. Its Germany eSIMs run on the O2 network, are sold by the number of days with either a fixed data volume or unlimited data, and are installed from the Airalo app.
Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.
Which eSIM is best for you
The best eSIM in Germany depends on how long you stay and whether you need a German number:
| Your situation | Best eSIM route | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist for up to a few weeks, no German number needed | Holafly or Airalo | Installed before departure, no German identity check, data only. |
| Just arrived, need a German number today | Vodafone CallYa or O2 Prepaid as eSIM | Both deliver the profile digitally after the video identification — no waiting for a physical card. |
| Best coverage, no 24-month commitment | fraenk (Telekom network) or Telekom MagentaMobil Flex | Monthly cancellable on the test-winning network; fraenk also takes PayPal. |
| Long stay with a SEPA bank account | Contract eSIM from Telekom, Vodafone or O2 | Cheapest per gigabyte, family and multi-SIM options, phone can be bundled — expect a SCHUFA check. |
| Phone without a SIM slot (eSIM-only iPhone) | Any provider that delivers the eSIM digitally | O2 Prepaid, CallYa, Aldi Talk, Edeka smart, fraenk, SIMon mobile or a travel eSIM — not Telekom prepaid, which starts with a physical card. |
| Editorial assessment based on the providers’ eSIM help pages and our own product database, retrieved on 24 September 2026. | ||
Free eSIM in Germany
Vodafone and O2 offer prepaid eSIM plans without a basic fee: Vodafone CallYa Classic and the O2 Prepaid Freikarte charge per megabyte, minute and SMS instead of a package price.
To get a free prepaid eSIM from Vodafone or O2, you order it directly from the provider’s website, choose eSIM instead of a physical card, complete the identity check and install the profile from the email or the app. Both cards can be upgraded to a package later.
Tips for using eSIM in Germany
Before diving into the world of eSIM in Germany, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, verify if your device is eSIM-compatible. Most recent iPhones and Androids support eSIM, as well as some laptops, tablets, and smartwatches. Dialling *#06# shows an EID number on eSIM-capable phones.
Check your phone before buying a German SIM
Some newer US iPhones no longer have a physical SIM slot and only support eSIM.
If you arrive in Germany with an eSIM-only phone, choose a provider that can deliver the eSIM digitally from the start, such as O2 Prepaid, Vodafone CallYa, Aldi Talk, Edeka smart, a postpaid eSIM contract, or an international travel eSIM.
When selecting an eSIM for Germany, consider factors like network coverage, data speeds, plan validity, device compatibility, and the level of customer support. Your phone must also be unlocked for the German networks.
A German eSIM from Telekom, Vodafone, O2 or congstar comes with a German mobile number (015, 016 or 017); how German numbers are written and dialled from abroad is on our German phone number page.
The identity check applies to eSIM too
German SIM and eSIM activation requires identity verification under § 172 of the Telecommunications Act, exactly as for a physical card. You complete it through VideoIdent, an automated ident app, PostIdent at a post office, the eID function of a residence permit, or an in-store check, with a valid passport, ID card or residence permit and a German contact address, which can be temporary accommodation.
VideoIdent can fail with a passport the identification partner does not support, with poor lighting, or when the name you entered does not match the document exactly. If online verification does not work, try PostIdent, visit a provider shop, switch to a provider with a different identification partner, or choose an international travel eSIM if you only need mobile data. The routes and the accepted documents per provider are in our guide to SIM card verification in Germany.
Final thoughts
Choosing the best eSIM in Germany largely depends on your needs and circumstances. Here are some options to consider:
- Telekom: Offers the best-rated and most extensive mobile network, but can be expensive; prepaid customers switch to eSIM after activating a physical card.
- Vodafone: Offers strong mobile data speeds and overall great quality, with CallYa available as an eSIM at the time of ordering.
- O2: Provides competitive pricing, high data volume, direct prepaid eSIM ordering, and good coverage in many cities, but may not have the same rural network reach as Telekom or Vodafone.
Just make sure that if you opt for a contract, you know whether it runs for 24 months or is monthly cancellable — every provider must offer both. Also, make sure you have an unlocked phone that supports eSIM.
Having a German bank account can also change the approach you might like to take: with a SEPA IBAN, contract and app plans open up; without one, prepaid and travel eSIMs are the way in.
Whether you’re a resident looking for a contract plan, an expat seeking a prepaid plan, an app brand like fraenk or SIMon mobile, or a tourist on a short trip, there’s an eSIM plan for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Most recent iPhones and Android phones support eSIM, as do some tablets, laptops and smartwatches, but older or cheaper models do not. Dialling *#06# shows an EID number on eSIM-capable phones. The phone also has to be unlocked for the German networks.
Order a prepaid card from a provider that delivers eSIM digitally — Vodafone CallYa, O2 Prepaid, Aldi Talk or Edeka smart — choose eSIM instead of a physical card, complete the identity check by video or app, and install the profile from the email or the provider’s app. Telekom prepaid customers activate a physical card first and then request the switch to an eSIM.
A valid passport, national ID card or residence permit and a German contact address, which can be a hotel, hostel or short-term flat. The check is required by § 172 of the Telecommunications Act for every SIM and eSIM; providers run it by video call, automated app, at a Deutsche Post branch, with the eID function of an electronic residence permit, or in a shop.
Yes. No Anmeldung and no residence permit are required for a prepaid eSIM; a temporary accommodation address is sufficient for the registration. Contract eSIMs additionally need a SEPA bank account and usually pass a SCHUFA check.
A free eSIM plan — Vodafone CallYa Classic or the O2 Prepaid Freikarte — has no package price: calls, text messages and data are billed per unit according to the provider’s tariff. It gives you a German number for verification codes and occasional calls and can be upgraded to a package later.
Not if you only need data. Travel eSIMs from Holafly or Airalo are installed in their apps before departure, start when you arrive and run on German networks; they do not include a German phone number. If you need a German number — for a bank, a rental contract or verification codes — a prepaid eSIM from CallYa or O2 is the better choice.