Test the signal first. Then choose prepaid or a contract with clear costs, cancellation terms and number-porting rights.
Last checked: September 2026
Prepaid is usually flexible and lets you stop without a long commitment. A contract can offer a regular allowance but may run for many months. For a new arrival, prepaid makes it easier to test the network before signing.
Germany has three main mobile networks. Coverage is different by street, building and room. Check each official map, then ask neighbours and test indoors. A map cannot guarantee reception behind thick walls or in a basement.
A provider may offer an initial minimum term of up to 24 months. It must also offer a contract with a maximum initial term of 12 months. Compare the total minimum cost, not only the monthly headline.
After an automatic extension, consumers can normally cancel with one month’s notice. Read the cancellation method and keep the confirmation. A provider must show important contract information before you sign.
Leaving Germany does not always end a mobile contract automatically. Ask the provider in writing and check the contract. Special termination rights depend on the service, the move and whether the provider can still supply it.
Yes. Number porting (Rufnummernmitnahme) is free. Your personal data must match at the old and new providers. Start early and keep any temporary number until the transfer is complete.
Four weeks is 28 days, not a calendar month. A four-week tariff renews about 13 times in one year. Compare the yearly total, not only one payment.
A prepaid SIM requires an identity check, usually with a passport or accepted identity document. A contract may also require a German address, bank account, residence document and credit check. Provider rules differ.
Stop if the total minimum cost is unclear, the phone is called “free”, extra services are preselected, cancellation is not explained, the billing period is hidden, coverage is only promised verbally, or you feel pressured to sign immediately.
SafeNest does not recommend a mobile provider and receives no commission. Prices and offers change frequently, so this guide does not publish tariff prices. Always check the provider’s current terms before buying. This is general information, not legal advice.
