Tourist SIMs at a glance
- Carriers and shopsTourist SIMs are available from Telekom, Vodafone, and O2. You can get them through carrier stores and online pre-order with pick-up.
- RegistrationA local SIM must be registered with your passport or ID.
- Good to knowEvery new prepaid SIM needs an identity check. With O2, only the person who ordered the SIM can set it up, using an identity card or passport, by video chat or Post-Ident.
Germany SIM card or eSIM: side by side
| eSIM | Local SIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you get it | In the app, before you fly | carrier stores and online pre-order with pick-up |
| Ready when you land | Yes, if installed before the flight | After you have bought and set it up |
| Phone number | Data only, no number | Depends on the pack, see the carrier page |
| Plans and prices | Shown live below, by data size and days | On the carrier or airport page |
Local SIM details change. Confirm them with the carrier or the airport.
Set it up before you fly
- Check that your phone supports eSIM and is not locked: eSIM compatible phones.
- Pick a plan for your destination below.
- Payment is taken once the eSIM is ready.
- Install it at home over Wi-Fi: tap Install in the app or scan the QR code.
- After landing, switch on data roaming for the eSIM line.
- Most plans start when your phone first connects there.
Prefer a daily allowance? 1 GB per day · 7 days for €6.49: full speed up to 1 GB a day, then 512 Kbps until the next day.
Picked like in our shop: the cheapest plan with about 0.7 GB a day. Live prices for Germany.
Questions and answers
Germany: can tourists buy a local SIM card?
Yes. Visitors can buy a local SIM from Telekom, Vodafone, and O2. An eSIM set up at home is the alternative if you want data the moment you land.
Germany: do I need my passport for a local SIM?
Yes, bring your passport. The SIM is registered in your name when you buy it.
Germany: tourist SIM or eSIM, which is better?
A tourist SIM suits you if you want a local plan or number. An eSIM suits you if you want data the moment you land, without a counter visit.
Germany: how much data does a week need?
About 5 GB suit a typical week of maps, messages and rides. How much data do I need helps you pick a size.
Does the eSIM come with a phone number?
No. Plans are data only. Keep your own SIM for calls and texts, and use messaging apps over data.
Updated 29 Oct 2026 · checked against our live catalogue
How we check our data · Prices and plans come live from our catalogue; facts come from official sources, listed where we use them.
Sources: O2 community: register prepaid SIM card · Bundesnetzagentur: identification procedures for prepaid mobile services
