Best Budget SIM Cards in Germany: sim.de, sim24.de, klarmobil & More
Use the budget picks as a shortlist, not the final answer.
Cheap plans can still become expensive if the network quality, EU roaming rules, or signup friction are wrong for your city and usage pattern.
Also useful before you choose a cheap plan
Germany has some of the cheapest mobile data in Europe, if you know where to look. The main networks (Telekom, Vodafone, O2) are expensive, but a whole layer of budget operators sit underneath them, using the same towers at a fraction of the price.
* Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this article are marked with (*). If you sign up or purchase via these links, Expatzentrum may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep the site free. We only recommend services we have researched and consider genuinely useful for expats.
Sites like sim.de, sim24.de, and klarmobil.de are where savvy expats and locals go to find deals you’ll never see advertised in a Telekom shop. This guide explains what they are, how they compare, and which one makes sense for you.
Cheapest Mobile Plans in Germany: Quick Expat Shortlist
If you searched for cheapest mobile plans in Germany, start with your network need before chasing the lowest monthly price. A cheap O2 plan can be excellent in Berlin, Cologne or Leipzig, but a Telekom or Vodafone-network plan may be worth paying extra for if you live outside a large city.
| Profile | Best route | Typical fit | Good next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest monthly cost | sim.de, sim24, winSIM | Students, newcomers and light users who mainly need enough data for maps, WhatsApp and daily admin. | Filter for monthly cancellable plans first. |
| Cheap plan with better coverage | klarmobil, Congstar, Otelo | Expats outside large cities or anyone who travels between regions often. | Check whether the tariff uses Telekom or Vodafone. |
| No long contract | Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect, prepaid offers | Short stays, first-month setup, or anyone still waiting for a bank account and Anmeldung. | Buy in-store, register your SIM, then switch later if needed. |
| Best deal today | CHECK24 mobile comparison (*) | Users who want to scan current discounts, cashback and short-term offers in one place. | Compare live SIM deals before signing. |
Pick Your Budget SIM Route Fast
- You just need the cheapest workable plan: Start with budget O2-network deals and only pay extra for premium coverage if your area really needs it.
- You care about signal quality more than price: Use this page to understand the cheap end of the market, then compare Telekom/Vodafone options separately.
- You are confused by sim.de, sim24, and klarmobil: Treat them as deal sources, not as interchangeable brands with the same contract terms.
- You want the shortest route: Read this page for the logic, then use CHECK24 (*) to scan current live offers.
What Are These Sites?
There are two types of sites in this space:
- MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators): Companies like klarmobil and winSIM that buy wholesale access to a major network and resell it cheaply under their own brand. You get the same signal as Telekom or Vodafone, just through a different provider.
- Comparison portals: Sites like sim.de and sim24.de that aggregate hundreds of SIM deals from different operators in one place. Think of them like Check24 or Verivox, but focused entirely on mobile.
For expats, both are worth knowing. Here’s the rundown on the main ones.
sim.de: Best All-Round Comparison Portal
sim.de is one of Germany’s most popular mobile comparison sites. It lists SIM-only tariffs and device bundles from dozens of German operators, sorted by price, data allowance, and network.
What makes it useful for expats:
- Filter by network (Telekom, Vodafone, O2) so you know exactly what signal you’re getting
- Shows monthly-cancellable contracts clearly: important if you’re not sure how long you’ll be in Germany
- Price includes all fees: no hidden activation charges buried in the small print
- Many tariffs start from €5–8/month for basic data plans
Tip: Use the filter “Monatlich kündbar” (monthly cancellable) if you want flexibility. Two-year contracts are cheaper per month but lock you in.
sim24.de: Good for High-Data Budget Plans
sim24.de is another comparison portal with a similar focus. It tends to surface deals with larger data allowances at competitive prices, useful if you’re a heavy mobile data user or work remotely without reliable home broadband.
What sets it apart:
- Strong selection of unlimited data tariffs
- Good filter options for eSIM availability: handy if your phone supports it
- Regularly updated with short-term promotional deals (Aktionsangebote) that only run for a few days
Worth bookmarking and checking when your current contract is up, the promotional deals can be significantly cheaper than anything listed permanently.
klarmobil.de: Reliable MVNO on Telekom & Vodafone
klarmobil.de is not a comparison site, it’s an actual mobile operator. It runs on both the Telekom and Vodafone networks, which means you can choose the coverage that suits your area.
Why expats like klarmobil:
- Telekom network access at roughly half the price of a direct Telekom contract
- Simple tariff structure: no confusing upsells
- Monthly contracts available (not just 24-month)
- EU roaming included in all plans
- Plans from around €7–12/month for 10–20GB of data
If you want Telekom-level coverage without paying Telekom prices, klarmobil is one of the best options in Germany.
Other Budget Operators Worth Knowing
The German mobile market has a lot of MVNOs. Here are a few more that expats frequently use:
| Operator | Network | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| winSIM | O2 | Cheapest monthly contracts, from €5/mo |
| mobilcom-debitel | All 3 | Wide choice, often has cashback deals |
| Congstar | Telekom | Best mid-range value on Telekom network |
| Otelo | Vodafone | Budget Vodafone access, simple plans |
| Aldi Talk | O2 | Best prepaid, no registration hassle |
| Lidl Connect | Vodafone | Prepaid, available in every Lidl store |
How to Compare Plans: Use These Tools
Beyond sim.de and sim24.de, two general comparison portals are also good for mobile:
- Check24.de: Germany’s biggest comparison site. The mobile section (Handy & Tarife) covers most operators and has an English interface option.
- Verivox.de: Strong on contract tariffs and has user reviews for each operator, useful for checking real-world network quality before committing.
- teltarif.de: More technical, but has in-depth reviews and price history. Good for researching before buying.
What to Watch Out For
A few things that catch expats out when signing up through budget operators:
- Auto-renewal: Many 12 or 24-month contracts auto-renew unless you cancel in writing (per the contract terms). Set a calendar reminder 3 months before your end date.
- Port-in delays: Transferring your existing German number to a new operator (Rufnummernmitnahme) can take 2–4 working days. Plan ahead so you’re not without service.
- Speed throttling: Budget plans often throttle data after you hit your monthly limit (down to 64kbps or 384kbps). Check the fair-use policy before signing.
- SIM registration: All German SIM cards require identity verification (PostIdent or VideoIdent). Budget operators use the same process, you’ll need your passport and German address.
- English support: Most budget operators only offer German-language customer service. If this is important to you, N26 or Revolut’s data eSIM add-ons might suit you better despite the higher cost.
Which One Should You Pick?
Quick decision guide:
- Just arrived, need something immediately: Aldi Talk prepaid (buy in any Aldi store, no long setup)
- Want the best coverage at low cost: klarmobil on Telekom network
- Want to compare everything in one place: Start at sim.de, Check24, or Verivox
- Heavy data user: Check sim24.de for unlimited plan deals
- Flexible month-to-month: winSIM or congstar monthly contracts
The bottom line: you do not need to pay €30–40/month with Telekom directly. The same towers, half the price, is available to anyone who spends 20 minutes on sim.de.
Ready to Switch?
Compare current deals from all German mobile operators and find the cheapest plan for your data needs.
Looking for a full comparison including premium data plans? See our best SIM cards and mobile plans in Germany guide. If you also need home broadband, our home internet in Germany guide covers DSL and fibre options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which mobile networks do budget SIM cards use in Germany?
Germany has three long-established physical networks: Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and O2/Telefónica. In 2024, 1&1 officially launched its own separate fourth physical mobile network. Budget providers (MVNOs) like sim.de or klarmobil do not own physical cell towers; instead, they lease network capacity from one of these physical operators to offer cheaper rates to consumers.
Can I keep my existing phone number when switching to a budget SIM?
Yes, keeping your phone number (Rufnummernmitnahme) is legally guaranteed and completely free. You can request the transfer during the online sign-up process with your new budget provider.
What is the difference between a 24-month contract and a monthly cancellable plan?
A 24-month contract locks you in for two years in exchange for a lower activation fee or slightly cheaper rates. Monthly cancellable plans (monatlich kündbar) give you the freedom to cancel with just 30 days' notice, which is ideal for expats who aren't sure how long they will stay in Germany.
Do budget SIM cards in Germany support EU roaming?
Yes. Under EU regulations, all German SIM cards include free roaming within the EU. You can use your mobile data, call, and text just as you would in Germany at no extra cost when traveling in other EU member states.
Disclaimer: Expatzentrum is an informational portal designed to help expats navigate life in Germany. While we make every effort to keep our guides accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with current German regulations, the information on this website does not constitute official legal, tax, or financial advice. We are not certified tax advisors (Steuerberater) or legal practitioners. Always consult a qualified professional or the relevant German authorities (such as the Finanzamt or Deutsche Rentenversicherung) before making major financial or legal decisions.
