First week
Time
15 to 30 min
Cost
€8 to 25/mo
Difficulty
Easy
What to bring
Passport for the ID verification
A German address helps for contract tariffs
Not needed: A German bank account, for prepaid SIMs
Not needed: The Anmeldung, for prepaid
Our pick
Compare all 4 →Prices checked June 2026
Do it
- 1
Pick prepaid for day one
Grab an Aldi Talk SIM at any Aldi, or order a Telekom-network SIM like Congstar online for better coverage.
- 2
Verify your identity
German SIMs require ID verification, in-store with your passport, or by video call (PostIdent/video-ident) for online SIMs.
- 3
Activate and choose a bundle
Activate in the app, pick a data bundle, and top up. EU roaming is included on all the major options.
- 4
Switch to a contract later if needed
Once you have an Anmeldung and bank account, move to a postpaid tariff if you want more data or a financed phone.
Common questions
Which network actually has the best coverage?
Telekom is strongest, especially on the U-Bahn and regional trains. Congstar and fraenk ride on it for less than Telekom's own tariffs.
Do I really need to verify my ID?
Yes. German law requires identity verification for every SIM. Have your passport ready; there's no way around it.
Full checklist tracking and task completion live in the Settli app for Berlin.