Checklist
- Choose a prepaid SIM card or a telephone contract
- Check different mobile phone providers (e.g. O2, Telekom, Vodafone, etc.)
- Compare tariffs, network coverage and additional services offered.
- Have documents ready
- Proof of identity (e.g. passport).
- Proof of address in Germany (e.g. registration certificate/registration).
- Bank account details for payment.
- Purchase your SIM card. (Visit the operator’s branch or check availability in
- Edeka, Rewe or Lidl supermarkets).
- Activate your SIM card.
How to get a SIM card for your mobile phone
Step 1: Choose your plan
Phone contract or prepaid SIM card? The choice is yours:
With prepaid SIM cards, you have no long-term commitments and can top up your credit quickly online or in stores.
Phone contracts, on the other hand, offer the opportunity to upgrade to the latest devices while enjoying reduced costs for calls, text messages and data.
Step 2: Choose a mobile service provider
Step 3: Prepare required documents
- In Germany, you must verify your identity in order to receive a SIM card. Therefore, bring your passport or identity card with you.
- Some providers may also require a registration certificate or proof of address.
- Your bank details for the payment
Step 4: Order in store or online
A prepaid SIM card can be purchased in supermarkets such as EDEKA, REWE or LIDL or directly in the provider’s store.
You can take out phone contracts in the stores of mobile phone providers or in electronics stores such as MediaMarkt and Saturn. Alternatively, you can order a SIM card online via the provider’s website.
Regardless of whether you choose to buy online or in-store, remember that you will need to submit your registration documents to complete the activation process.
Step 5: Activate your SIM card
Follow the instructions to activate your SIM card. This can be done online, via an app, in-store or by phone. Some providers require you to go through a video identification process where you confirm your identity via a video call. Once your SIM card is activated, insert it into your phone and test whether you can make and receive calls and use mobile data.
The most important questions
What documents do I need to buy a SIM card in Germany?
You will need a valid passport or identity card as proof of identity and, in most cases, proof of address, such as a confirmation of registration (registration certificate).
Can I buy a SIM card without a German residence?
It is possible to buy a prepaid SIM card without a permanent residence in Germany, but some providers require a German address for registration. A hotel or temporary accommodation can sometimes be used as an address.
Where can I buy a SIM card?
You can buy a SIM card in the stores of mobile service providers (such as Telekom, Vodafone, O2), in consumer electronics stores such as Mediamarkt and Saturn or in supermarkets such as EDEKA, REWE and LIDL. It is also possible to order SIM cards online.
How do I activate my SIM card?
After purchasing the SIM card, you must activate it. This is usually done by providing proof of identity, either online (using the Video-Ident procedure) or at a post office (Post-Ident procedure). You can then insert the SIM card into your mobile phone and it is ready to use.
