Buying a SIM Card in Germany: Telekom vs Vodafone vs O2

By 
Chris Lim
Last updated: 
5 June 2020
TL;DR - THE SHORT VERSION
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יוסף הורוביץ
יוסף הורוביץ
5 years ago

please note that as for sep 2018 all prepaid sims in Germany has to be activated before first use. always buy the recommended sim cards in a store that will activate the sim for you. you must have passport or id card and and address (and some time a proof for this address) in Germany (hotel is also good). doing it by yourself through the carrier web site is almost impossible since you need to formally identifies yourself with the duetch post formal identification process (video or personal)!

Mich
Mich
5 years ago

Should I be concerned with the type of SIM card from the providers?

Remembered a couple of years back when we were in Amsterdam, we were issued with regular SIM but our phones accepts only nano SIM.

Any idea if Vodafone, O2 provides nano SIM?
What is the extra charges, if any?

Wendy Wesley Louis
Wendy Wesley Louis
5 years ago

I cannot tell you how helpful this blog was! Thank you so much! I think I am gonna go for Aldi Talk

Ovais Khan
Ovais Khan
4 years ago

Are there any O2 or Vodaphone outlets at the Tegel Airport Berlin? So that I can buy the sim card from the official shops at the airport to save myself from the hassle of finding a company shop in town. I just need internet for Uber use, thats it.

Achol
Achol
4 years ago

HI, I bought a Vodafone SIM card yesterday and activated at the store in Frankfurt Oder, I was told it should work within 24 hours, it has been over 24 hours and I still can't call or receive call/messages. Any help or advise would really be appreciate it.

Kingsley
Kingsley
4 years ago
Reply to  Achol

Please did you buy it with passport or (temporary permit)?. Am in Frankfurt order too, which place in Frankfurt order.

Kingsley
Kingsley
4 years ago

Hello good afternoon, please can they accept temporary residence permit, to buy Telekom.de SIM card am New here in Markendorf

Kingsley
Kingsley
4 years ago

Sir i arrive Germany December 20 2019, i have (3month temporary permit) as am writing to you now i bought penny mobil SIM card in sudring Frankfurt order some days ago they refuse my temporary permit for the registration, it's with me now

Nada
Nada
4 years ago

Hey guys,
I bought O2 prepaid sim card while in Germany, activated it & all worked just fine.
I had to travel out of Germany ,the Sim card still worked on roaming.
Unfortunately I haven't used it or recharged it for a while.Now it won't receive any calls & refuse to operate on any provider.
I need to get access to my line.
Any idea if O2 resells unused numbers to other customers?
& if so how can I get my number back?

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