▶️ Best eSIM for Germany (Traveler's Guide)

[Published 2025/07/14]: This article was published on July 14th, 2025.

Deutscher Artikel: Beste eSIM-Tarife für Deutschland (Urlaub & Reise)

If you are traveling to Germany with a mobile phone contract from a non-EU country, you are likely to pay high roaming fees whenever you use mobile data. Luckily, there are alternatives with better value for money: Local prepaid SIM cards, easy to use eSIMs or Wi-Fi (where available).

Even travelers from within the EU might be able to benefit from these alternatives — e.g. if the data volume is limited while abroad and adding data is pricier than purchasing a prepaid SIM or eSIM.

SIM card vs. eSIM vs. Wi-Fi in Germany

Let's get into the individual advantages and disadvantages of physical SIM cards, digital eSIMs and Wi-Fi connections.

Physical SIM card for Germany: Familiar, but no flexibility

Local SIM cards from well known providers such as Telekom, Vodafone or O2 are available at airports, supermarkets, electronics stores or kiosks. They include a set amount of data and sometimes telephone minutes. However, the purchase usually requires video or postal identification for identity verification — a hassle that many travelers want to avoid. In addition, the card must be physically inserted into the device, which can be comparatively cumbersome. Note that when replacing an existing SIM card with a local German one, the phone number is changed.

eSIM for Germany: Flexible and cost effective

An eSIM (embedded SIM) can be activated directly on the smartphone or tablet without waiting and without having to swap the physical SIM card. Many modern devices such as iPhones from the XS onwards, Google Pixel from the 3 series onwards or current Samsung Galaxy models support eSIMs. Particularly practical: the eSIM can be used alongside the existing SIM so that the phone number stays the same. Activation is easy via a QR code or an app provided by the respective provider, usually in just a few minutes. Services such as WhatsApp, Google Maps or Spotify can be used as usual with an eSIM.

Wi-Fi: Free of charge, but with restrictions

In Germany, public Wi-Fi is quite common in hotels, train stations and sometimes cafés or shopping centers. However, even in city centers, you should not rely on having free Wi-Fi access at all times. There is also a security risk with unsecured networks. If you are transmitting sensitive data (e.g. credit card information), you should use a VPN service to encrypt the connection.

eSIM purchase: Considerations before traveling to Germany

Before deciding for a specific eSIM service, you should check eSIM compatibility and your expected data consumption. After purchase, you should set a data limit and activate the eSIM at the right time. Simply follow the checklist below:

• eSIM compatibility: eSIM is not supported by all smartphones and tablets. Newer models such as iPhone XS or later, Samsung Galaxy S20 or Google Pixel 3 and higher are usually eSIM compatible. You can check if your device supports eSIM by checking its network settings or searching our list of popular Smartphones and Tablets with eSIM-Support.
• Data volume: Data consumption depends on individual usage behavior. The following reference values help anticipate the expected data use:
• WhatsApp (pictures): 100 KByte per picture
• WhatsApp (calls): 20 MByte per minute
• Music streaming: 60 MByte per hour
• Navigation: 120 MB per hour
• Video stream (1080p): 2,000 MByte per hour
• Data limit: For limited plans, it is advisable to set a warning limit or throttling in the smartphone. This enables you to top up before the cheap rate runs out.
• eSIM activation: Activate the eSIM right before your flight to Germany. This means you are online immediately on arrival without incurring any additional costs.

Cheapest eSIM plans for Germany

Check the following table to see the eSIM prices for Germany depending on the duration of the trip or data consumption. All services are ranked from least to most expensive. Hint: Cost per gigabyte usually goes down the more days and more data an eSIM plan includes. .

Updated July 10th, 2025. Completeness or correctness is not guaranteed. Prices are subject to change and can differ depending on e.g. local tax laws.

How to choose the right eSIM provider?

Pricing is an obvious criterion when choosing an eSIM provider, but there are more. Check our list to not miss other important features you should look for in a service:

• Network coverage & speed: While Germany has a rather solid mobile network in most areas, it is certainly not perfect. The major network operators differ noticeably in terms of network quality, especially in rural areas. Telekom offers the best LTE and 5G coverage, while O2 often provides cheaper but weaker performance in rural areas. Many eSIM providers use the O2 network, some also use Vodafone or Telekom.
• Flexibility: A smaller eSIM plan is sufficient for messaging and e-mails, while more volume is required for streaming and navigation. It is also important to know whether tethering is allowed, i.e. using the smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Some providers throttle the speed after consumption, others cut the connection completely.
• Regional and international tariff models: Many eSIM services offer cross-border packages, including for the entire EU or globally. If you want to visit other countries in addition to Germany, you can stay connected with a Europe plan (e.g. with Airalo or Nomad). Such fares are ideal for Interrail travelers, business travelers or tourists with stopovers.
• Customer service: A reliable customer service is key if any problems should arise. Providers such as Holafly, Yesim or Airalo offer round-the-clock support via app, chat or email. This is important especially for less tech-savvy users.
• Additional services: Some providers offer additional services such as VPN connections, cloud storage or loyalty programs, which can increase the overall value of the offer.
• Security and data protection: Find out about the provider's security standards and how your data is protected. With Saily*, for example, the virtual location can be changed to a different country. Also, advertising and phishing websites can be blocked.
• Ease of use and activation process: The best eSIM services offer a simple activation — ideally via QR code or app. Many providers also make it possible to change rates or top up via the app. This means you remain flexible and can immediately upgrade to more data volume if required.
• Cost structure and transparency: Hidden fees can quickly make a supposedly cheap plan more expensive. Some providers charge activation fees or exclude certain functions such as hotspot use. Validity often begins with the first use, but sometimes also from the date of purchase. It is important to take a transparent look at the terms and conditions. Good providers make these clearly available on their website or app.

eSIM checklist: To-dos before your stay in Germany

If you have decided on an eSIM plan with a provider of your liking, you should make some preparations before you start your journey. Some of these should ideally be done directly before departure. Our checklist shows you what to do and when.

EU roaming: Rules for EU citizens staying in Germany

EU citizens traveling to Germany should not blindly rely on their existing mobile phone contract. Despite being protected from flat-rate roaming charges thanks to the "roam like at home" agreement, other restrictions with subsequent costs can occur. For example, the data volume in Germany may be limited, even though you can surf with unlimited data in your home country. You may then have to pay unexpected charges for any additional volume used. It is worth taking a look at your current contract and its conditions before traveling.

Additional tips for vacation & travel

Other software tools can be useful when traveling as well. For example, a VPN provider enables anonymous surfing in public Wi-Fi networks, such as those found at airports, hotels or restaurants. We compare services and provide recommendations in our Best VPN article.

With cloud storage, you can back up vacation photos and other data on the go and access it from anywhere. Check out our Best cloud storage article for recommendations!

Cost calculator for Germany

The rate calculator from heise online offers information on eSIM and mobile plans. People intending to move to Germany might want to compare electricity prices and identify cheapest gas providers. Low cost internet and high-interest deposit accounts might also be of interest.

Note: When you purchase through links marked with an asterisk (*), we may earn an affiliate commission.

Editing & updating: heise Download-Team