Why should you pay more if you do not have to? I screened the list of all mobile providers in Germany to find the cheapest SIM cards on the market, no matter what your needs are. Whether it is for heavy data use, occasional calls, or simply having a local number, cheap SIM cards provide a practical solution for those looking to save money.
In this article, I will reveal the cheapest SIM cards available in Germany, compare their costs and benefits, and help you determine the right choice for your specific needs.
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Cheapest SIM Card in Germany: My Favorites
Cheap Options
- Cheapest plans from €4.99 for 5GB
- Unlimited data option available
- Postpaid with flexible cancellation
High Data Volume
- High data volume provider from €14.99 for 70GB
- Unlimited data option available
- Postpaid with flexible cancellation
Prepaid & International
- Prepaid plans from €4.99 for 5GB
- Prepaid SIM card or eSIM without commitment
- Plans with minutes in 100 countries worldwide
5G Prepaid High-Speed
- Free SIM card without commitment
- Best for pay-as-you-go or high-speed prepaid data
- Free minutes to EU countries
Germany’s telecommunications market is diverse and competitive, offering a wide range of options for SIM cards to suit different needs. However, the question is: Which SIM cards offer the best value for money?
For expats, students, and travelers on a budget, finding an affordable German SIM card can be crucial to staying connected without breaking the bank.
In this section, I will explore the most cheapest SIM card providers in Germany for different use cases, highlighting their key features, pricing, and potential drawbacks to help you make an informed decision.
sim.de: Plans for Everyone
sim.de is a brand by Drillisch Online, belonging to the 1&1 Group and Germany’s fourth and youngest mobile network provider. For this reason, users automatically connect to the Vodafone network if the 1&1 network is still unavailable at your location.
Suitable for everyone, sim.de offers postpaid plans with unlimited calls, texts, and monthly cancellations. Starting with cheap plans for under 5 Euros and reasonable data allowances up to the most affordable unlimited data plan currently available in Germany. You use the 5G network. The speed of all plans is capped at 50 MBit/s Download and 32 MBit/s Upload speed. It is enough for high-definition streaming, social media use, video conferencing, and more.
sim.de changes its plans every week. However, the core offer and principles remain the same. Usually, four plans are available at a cost between 5 Euros to 25 Euros. In some weeks, the unlimited plan will not be available. You can then wait for one to two weeks until it becomes available again. Alternatively, I advise you to check the MegaSIMs Unlimited plan, which is only 2 Euros more but features higher speeds of up to 300 MBit/s. As of January 22, 2025 the following plans were available. You can check the currently available sim.de plans here.
sim.de plans are available with monthly cancellation or as a 24-month contract. The monthly fees are identical. However, a one-time setup fee of 19.99 Euros is due with monthly cancellations. You can waive it entirely by signing up for a 24-month contract.
Mega SIM: Cheap Deals for Heavy Data Users
Mega SIM is a brand by Freenet, Germany’s largest network-independent mobile service provider. It offers pospaid plans with monthly cancellation, making it perfect for anyone staying permanently or only for a limited time in Germany.
Users benefit from generous data allowances, making it suitable for both casual browsing and more intensive usage, such as streaming or social media. Additionally, all plans include unlimited calling and texting as well as complementary roaming within the EU. Mega SIM boasts decent network coverage in the Telefónica o2 network.
MegaSIM offers three capped data plans with 5G speeds of 50 MBit/s Donwload and 50 MBit/s Upload speed. It also offers the o2 Unlimited on Demand plan but for a cheaper price than o2 directly. It powers full 5G speeds of 300 MBit/s Download 50 MBit/s Upload. “on Demand” means that you automatically receive a daily data allowance of 10GB. Once you exceed it, you can just reset your data volume via text in 2GB steps as often as you wish and at no cost.
Mega SIM offers plans with monthly cancellation or a 24-month contract. The monthly fees are the same. However, the one-time setup fees differ: 19.99 Euros for monthly cancellations and 9.99 Euros for a 24-month contract.
Lyca Mobile and Lebara: Best for International Calls
While EU roaming has made data usage cheap while traveling, international calls are still pricy. Two providers have specialized in plans allowing international calling: LycaMobile and Lebara.
Lyca Mobile is a British telecommunications company active in 18 countries. It offers prepaid SIM cards that are also available as eSIM. Plans with unlimited calls in 100 countries worldwide are available starting at 17.99 Euros.
Lebara is another British mobile provider founded in 2001. The plans allow phoning in 50 countries internationally and are available as prepaid and postpaid options. Lebara is usually a bit more expensive than Lyca Mobile: A plan with 500 complementary minutes costs 19.99 Euros per month. You can check Lebara here.
If you only need to phone other EU countries, you can also check Vodafone Prepaid CallYa. This prepaid option includes up to 500 minutes or texts from Germany to the European Union.
Vodafone: SIM and eSIM for 5G High-Speed Data and Pay-As-You-Go
Vodafone is one of the most popular telecommunications providers in the country. They offer both prepaid and postpaid contracts using their own network. Vodafone Prepaid is a fully free SIM Card, you can order it at no cost. Their prepaid card is especially suitable for those looking for
- A prepaid eSIM: Vodafone is one of the rare providers that immediately issues a digital eSIM. You can directly order it through the website and activate it on your phone within a few minutes.
- A pay-as-you-go option without a monthly fee: Vodafone is the cheapest provider, with 9 Cents per minute and 3 Cents per MB.
- A 5G high-speed prepaid card: You get the full power of their network with 300 MBit/s Download and 50 MBit/s Upload Speed.
- An unlimited data prepaid SIM card: Vodaonfe is the provider offering unlimited data prepaid SIM at the lowest price. However, with a monthly cost of 79.99 Euros, it is not really cheap.
The following plans are available:
| CallYa Classic | CallYa Start | CallYa Allnet Flat S | CallYa Allnet Flat M | CallYa Digital | CallYa Black | CallYa Yearly |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Flat Rate 4G|LTE, 5G | 0.03 Euros / MB | 1 GB / 4 weeks | 10 GB / 4 weeks | 20 GB / 4 weeks | 35 GB / 4 weeks | Unlimited / 4 weeks | 180 GB / 365 days |
| Calling / Texting Flat Rate Germany | 0.09 Euros / Minute | Flat Vodafone | All Networks | All Networks | All Networks | All Networks | All Networks |
| Free Calling / Texting from Germany to EU | 200 mins / texts | 200 mins / texts | 500 mins / texts | 500 mins / texts | 2,400 mins / texts |
||
| EU Roaming | |||||||
| Free SIM Card | |||||||
| Fee (4 weeks) | €0.00 | €4.99 / 4 weeks | €9.99 / 4 weeks | €14.99 / 4 weeks | €20.00 / 4 weeks | €79..99 / 4 weeks | €99..99 / 365 days |
| Check details | Check details | Check details | Check details | Check details | Check details | Check details |
As this is a prepaid SIM card, you must charge it previously and can stop your subscription or choose another option anytime. Purchasing the SIM card or eSIM is free. Read more about Vodafone’s prepaid plans in Germany here.
Happy SIM: Generous Data Allowance at Low Cost
HappySIM is a brand of Freenet’s discount branch Klarmobil, a well-established provider of phone services for about 20 years. HappySIM uses the 5G network of Telefónica o2.
HappySIMs portfolio consists of cheap plans between 8 and 15 Euros monthly for users with advanced data needs between 25 to 50 GB. With speeds up to 50 MBit/s Download and 32 MBit/s Upload, you can easily use Social Media, stream, or work. The plans also include unlimited calls, texts, and monthly cancellations.
You can choose between a monthly cancellation or a 24-month contract. The monthly fee is the same. However, with a 24-month agreement, you save 9.99 Euros setup fee and get the initial three months at no cost.
SIMon mobile: Budget-Friendly eSIM
SIMon mobile is a discount service offered by Vodafone Germany, one of the four network providers in Germany. Its focus is to provide easy-to-understand plans at low prices. The 50 MBit/s Download and 32 MBit/s Upload speeds give you all liberty for any kind of activity. The special feature of this discount operator is that it allows you to get an eSIM. Hence, you can receive your digital SIM card and start using your new contract within a few minutes.
All SIMon mobile contracts have monthly cancellations and no setup fee, making them even more suitable for short-term usage. Transferring your phone number from another provider can get you a monthly discount of 3 Euros. Moreover, currently, SIMon mobile offers double data allowance during the first six months.
ALDI Talk & LIDL Connect: Discount Prepaid
German supermarkets and discounters are famous for offering prepaid SIM cards at a good price-benefit ratio. ALDI and LIDL are always at the forefront and usually provide the cheapest SIM cards among all retailers. These cards are good if you only stay short-term in Germany and do not want to subscribe to a cheaper postpaid contract – even though all options above allow flexible monthly cancellation.
The offered packages are optimized for users requiring moderate data volume. LIDL uses Vodafone’s network, while ALDI falls back on Telefónica o2’s network. You can surf with 5G speeds of 100Mbit/s download and up to 25Mbit/s upload. Both cards cost 9.99 Euros, including an initial credit balance of 10 Euros.
Buying cards in an ALDI or LIDL store is the easiest way. If you have none nearby, check the prices of other popular retail SIM cards: EDEKA smart, ja!mobil by REWE, Kaufland Mobil, NORMA Connect, and Penny mobil.
Why Choose a Cheap SIM Card?
Choosing a cheap SIM card can make sense in many situations, especially if your usage patterns or budget align with what these options offer. Here are some common scenarios where a low-cost SIM card might be the best choice:
Common Scenarios
Short Visits or Temporary Stays
If you visit Germany for a short period, such as a week or a month, a cheap prepaid SIM card can provide all the necessary connectivity without requiring a long-term contract. It is a practical and cost-effective solution for tourists or short-term business travelers.
Budget Constraints for Expats and Students
Many expats and international students must manage their expenses carefully, especially when first settling into Germany. Cheap SIM cards allow you to stay connected without adding significant costs to your monthly budget.
Limited Usage Requirements
A low-cost SIM card with limited data and call minutes may be sufficient if your phone usage is minimal – such as occasional calls, light browsing, or basic app usage. These SIM cards are ideal for users who do not rely heavily on their phones for streaming, gaming, or other data-intensive activities.
Potential Trade-Offs
While cheap SIM cards are attractive due to their affordability, they often come with certain limitations that you should consider:
Network Coverage
Low-cost SIM card providers often rely on less expensive networks, which might have weaker coverage in rural areas or lower speeds in crowded cities. I always recommend checking the network coverage at your place of residence.
Data Speeds
Many budget SIM cards cap data speeds at a lower level than premium options, which can affect activities like streaming, video calls, or downloading large files.
Customer Support and Features
Cheaper SIM cards may lack robust customer service or additional features like international roaming, making them less convenient for frequent travelers or those needing extra support. They also do not offer attractive deal bundles with a discounted phone included.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cheap SIM Card
When choosing a cheap SIM card in Germany, it is important to evaluate several factors to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money. While affordability is the main goal, certain features and limitations can significantly affect your overall experience. Here are the key factors you should consider:
Price
The upfront cost of the SIM card and the ongoing expenses for recharging or purchasing plans are critical considerations. Look for transparent pricing and avoid hidden fees, such as activation charges or additional costs for certain services. Comparing the cost per gigabyte of data and the rates for calls and SMS can help you find the most economical option.
Network Coverage
A low-cost SIM card is only useful if it provides reliable network coverage. Check whether the provider uses a strong network with good reception in the areas where you live, work, or travel frequently. Urban areas in Germany usually have solid coverage from all providers, but rural and remote regions may experience weaker signals with budget SIM cards.
Data Allowance
Consider how much data you will need for your activities. If you only use your phone for browsing, messaging apps, and social media, a low data allowance may suffice. However, if you rely on your phone for streaming, video calls, or remote work, make sure the SIM card offers a plan with sufficient data at an affordable price.
Call and SMS Rates
Some budget SIM cards focus on affordable data plans but charge higher rates for domestic or international calls and SMS. If you plan to make frequent phone calls or send text messages, verify the rates and assess whether they fit within your budget.
Ease of Purchase and Activation
Convenience is important, especially for expats and travelers who may not speak German fluently. Look for SIM cards that are easy to purchase online or from supermarkets. Additionally, check if the activation process is straightforward.
Additional Features
Budget SIM cards often come with limited features, so it is essential to evaluate what extras are included. Key features to look for include:
- EU Roaming: If you plan to travel within the European Union, ensure that the SIM card supports roaming at no extra cost.
- Customer Support: Check if the provider offers accessible customer service, ideally in English, to help with troubleshooting or account issues.
- Bundled Benefits: Some providers offer discounts or bonuses, such as free minutes, data boosts, or international calling packages.
By carefully considering these factors, you can identify the best cheap SIM card for your specific needs while avoiding potential pitfalls associated with budget options.
Conlusion: What is the Cheapest SIM Card in Germany?
Cheap SIM cards in Germany offer an excellent way to stay connected while keeping your expenses low, especially for short-term visitors, budget-conscious expats, and light users. While some may lack the premium features and top-tier network performance of higher-end options, their affordability and flexibility make them an appealing choice for many.
When choosing a cheap SIM card, it is essential to assess your specific needs, such as data usage, call requirements, and coverage expectations. You can find an option that fits your budget and lifestyle by comparing providers and plans. Remember to consider factors like network reliability, ease of activation, and any additional costs to avoid unpleasant surprises. The best offers are usually available at:
- sim.de for everyday users requiring a low to medium amount of data for staying connected
- MegaSIM for heavy data users wanting to stream, work, and more
- Lyca Mobile for users searching a prepaid SIM or eSIM including international calling
- Vodafone CallYa for users requiring a prepaid SIM or eSIM for maximum 5G speeds or Pay-As-You-Go
If you are unsure whether a budget option is right for you or want to explore premium alternatives, visit our Best SIM Card in Germany guide for a comprehensive comparison. This will help you make an informed decision and ensure that you stay connected in Germany.
