GERMANY
| Useful things to know: |
| Prefix: |
+49 |
 |
| Money: |
Euro |
| Electricity: |
230V - 50Hz |
| Time Zone: |
GMT+1 (CET) |
GSM and 3G Operators
| T-Mobile Deutschland GmbH |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
Xtra |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 19.95/10.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
12 months |
| Net Frequency: |
GSM 900/1800, W-CDMA 2100 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
D1 Telekom, T-Mobile D, 262 01 |
| Coverage Map: |
not available |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
22/06/11 |
| Vodafone D2 GmbH |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
CallYa |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 19.95/10.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
15 months |
| Net Frequency: |
GSM 900/1800, W-CDMA 2100 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
D2, vodafone D2, 262 02 |
| Coverage Map: |
3G |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
22/06/11 |
| BASE (E-Plus Service GmbH & Co.KG) |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
BASE Prepaid |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 19.90/5.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
12 months |
| Net Frequency: |
EGSM 900, GSM 1800, W-CDMA 2100 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
BASE, e-plus, 262 03 |
| Coverage Map: |
GSM -
3G |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
22/06/11 |
| O2 (Germany) GmbH & Co. OHG |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
Loop |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 19.95/5.00 + 10 free SMS/month |
| Card Validity after activation: |
12 months |
| Net Frequency: |
GSM 1800 (+EGSM 900), W-CDMA 2100 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
interkom, o2 - de, 262 07 |
| Coverage Map: |
GSM -
3G |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
22/06/11 |
Virtual Operators
| Medion Mobile (Aldi Talk) |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
Aldi Talk |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 14.90/10.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
12+2 months |
| Net Frequency: |
MVNO on GSM 1800, WCDMA 2100 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
Medion Mobile, 262 03 |
| Network: |
E-Plus |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
22/06/11 |
| FONIC GmbH |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
Fonic |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 19.99/10.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
6 months |
| Net Frequency: |
MVNO on GSM 1800, WCDMA 2100 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
Fonic, 262 07 |
| Network: |
O2 |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
22/06/11 |
| REWE Deutscher Supermarkt KG aA (Penny-Mobil and Ja! Mobil) |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
Penny Mobil |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 9.95/5.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
12 months |
| Net Frequency: |
MVNO on GSM 900/1800 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
Penny Mobil, 262 01 |
| Network: |
T-Mobile |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
22/06/11 |
| allMobility Deutschland GmbH (Schlecker) |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
Smobil |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 9.99/10.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
6 months |
| Net Frequency: |
MVNO on GSM 900/1800 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
Smobil, 262 02 |
| Network: |
Vodafone |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
22/06/11 |
| Tchibo Mobilfunk GmbH & Co. KG |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
Tchibo Mobil Prepaid |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 9.95/1.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
12 months |
| Net Frequency: |
MVNO on GSM 1800 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
Tchibo, 262 07 |
| Network: |
O2 (+ roaming on T-Mobile) |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
22/06/11 |
Internet Based Virtual Operators
| netzclub |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
netzclub |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
free |
| Card Validity after activation: |
unlimited |
| Net Frequency: |
MVNO on EGSM 900/1800, WCDMA 2100 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
netzclub, 262 07 |
| Network: |
O2 |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
22/06/11 |
| Congstar GmbH |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
Congstar Prepaid |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 9.90/5.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
??? |
| Net Frequency: |
MVNO on GSM 900/1800, WCDMA 2100 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
Congstar, 262 01 |
| Network: |
T-Mobile |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
03/03/09 |
| Blau Mobilfunk GmbH |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
Blau.de |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 9.90/5.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
180 days |
| Net Frequency: |
MVNO on GSM 1800, WCDMA 2100 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
blau.de, 262 03 |
| Network: |
E-Plus |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
22/06/11 |
| Simyo GmbH |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
Simyo |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 9.95/5.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
6 months |
| Net Frequency: |
MVNO on GSM 1800, WCDMA 2100 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
simyo, 262 03 |
| Network: |
E-Plus |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
22/06/11 |
| MS Mobile Services GmbH (Maxxim) |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
Maxxim |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 9.95/5.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
15 months |
| Net Frequency: |
MVNO on GSM 900/1800, WCDMA 2100 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
Maxxim, 262 01 |
| Network: |
T-Mobile |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
03/03/09 |
| ring Mobilfunk GmbH |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
ring |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 10.00/10.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
90 days |
| Net Frequency: |
MVNO on GSM 1800 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
ring, 262 03 |
| Network: |
Ring (E-Plus) |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
22/06/11 |
There are 2 other internet-based MVNOs which claim to offer a prepaid tariff, they are:
Klarmobil and
Simply.
With Klarmobil and Simply Postpaid you have a postpaid contract without any monthly fees and you do can cancel the subscription unlike any
other German postpaid which lasts at least 24 months. You need a German address to order it and a German ID or passport
because they check your "creditworthiness" ("Schufa" in German). It can happen that you get bounced
after you ordered because you have a negative "Schufa".
Simply Prepaid is like Klarmobil but you have to pay in advance, so it's prepaid. It's designed for locals without
any financial hassle and not for foreigners who may stay only for a few weeks.
Vistream based MVNOs
Vistream is a Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) in Germany. They have their own number range (01570) and own network infrastructure
(except GSM towers, which are of the e-plus network). The SIM cards have two IMSI numbers: you can switch between them by setting a 1
or a 2 in front of the PIN. Outside Germany you use the "2", inside Germany the "1". Inside Germany the network code is 262-16, outside
Germany (with the 2nd IMSI) it uses the e-plus code 262-03.
Vistream has its own roaming contracts as well. They are structured by zones, the zones are the same for all cards, just the prices are different.
There are 12 different brands offering prepaid sim-cards on Vistream network; here we list just 3 of them which we consider the most interesting
and convenient: Solomo and MaxxSim.
Important Update:
The vistream resellers:
- phonehomemobile
- 01051 mobile
- telesim
- che-mobil
- GlobalSim (maxxsim)
are not longer selling SIM-cards to new customers. Old customers are merged into the Solomo Pro tariff.
Customers who do not want to change their tariff can send back their SIM card and get the remaining balance refunded.
| solomo GmbH |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
Solomo |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 20.00/10.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
6+2 months |
| Net Frequency: |
MVNO on GSM 1800 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
solomo , 262 16, 262 03 |
| Network: |
Vistream (E-Plus) |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
25/01/11 |
Other "International Calls &roaming" MVNOs
| Ortel Mobile GmbH |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
Ortel Mobile |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 9.95/7.50 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
6+6 months |
| Net Frequency: |
MVNO on GSM 1800 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
Ortel Mobile, 262 03 |
| Network: |
E-Plus |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
25/01/10 |
| Blau Mobilfunk GmbH |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
Blauworld |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 19.95/10.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
6+2 months |
| Net Frequency: |
MVNO on GSM 1800 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
blauworld, 262 03 |
| Network: |
E-Plus |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
03/03/09 |
| milleni.com GmbH (Mobi) |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
Mobi |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 9.95/5.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
no expiration |
| Net Frequency: |
MVNO on GSM 900/1800 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
Mobi, 262 02 |
| Network: |
Vodafone |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
22/06/11 |
| Ay-Yildiz (E-Plus) |
 |
Prepaid Card Name: |
Ay-Yildiz Prepaid |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: |
€ 19.95/10.00 |
| Card Validity after activation: |
6 months |
| Net Frequency: |
MVNO on GSM 1800 |
| Logo, Net Code: |
Ay-Yildiz, 262 03 |
| Network: |
E-Plus |
| Prepaid offer: |
click here |
| Last update: |
03/03/09 |
Registering German prepaid cards
Theorectically all German Prepaid Cards have to be registered. Practically you can buy SIMs from the network operators
at some kiosks and call shops that don't require you to register them, but these are the
exception. Most cards can be ordered online as well, however most obviously you'll need a German address to receive them.
T-Mobile, Vodafone, BASE and O2 SIMs can be bought at the respective stores. At least in largers shop there
should someone speaking English, you have to register the card when buying, however registration is possible using a
foreign passport.
Aldi cards can only be bought at Aldi stores. They have to be registered online or at the hotline, in either case you
need a German ID. (You can't buy them online, at least not yet.)
You can buy Penny Mobile prepaid card at any Penny Market discount store, then you have to activate the prepaid
card at Pennymobil.de, you don't need a German ID (or any other ID for that) to register your card.
You can buy Smobil prepaid card at any Schlechter discount store or online at Smobile.de. However unless
you pay with a German EC-Card you are required to show a German ID.
You can buy Rewecom prepaid card at any REWE, miniMal, toom, toom BauMarkt or Petz discount store, then
you have to activate it at Rewe-com.de, you don't need a german ID (or any other ID for that) to register your card.
Tchibo cards can be bought at Tchibo coffee stores. In larger cities you might find someone speaking English,
you have to register the card when buying, registration is possible using a foreign passport though the exact handling
depends on the shop you are visiting though.
Simyo, Blau.de, Blauworld: These cards are bought via internet but shipping is
only possible to German addresses. They are usually available also at Saturn and Media Markt stores.
Credit balance and validy
Here is a simple and useful table listing the USSD codes you need to use to check your balance and validty.
|
T-Mobile |
Vodafone |
E-Plus |
O2 |
| Balance |
*100# |
*100# |
*100# |
*101# |
| Valitity |
*100*1# |
*100# |
*100# |
*102# |
Mobile Number Portability
There are some easy and free ways to know if the number you're calling has been ported to another operator or not.
Xtra: To check what network a number is on dial 4387 and enter the number, after the number is read to you
again press 1. You can send a text to 4387 as well though this costs ? 0,19.
Callya: To check what network a number is on dial 12313, then enter the number followed by the number sign.
Free&Easy: To check what network a number is on dial 10667, then enter the number.
Loop: Send an SMS containing "Netz" followed by a blank and the number.
It might be noteworthy that the four network operators charge the on-net charges to all cards on their network, not just their
own.
The virtual operators, instead, only offer an on-tariff discount (i.e. Tchibo to Tchibo) and there's usually no way to check
numbers for that. The only exception from that is Aldi Talk which currently unofficially charges the same for the entire E-Plus
network. Therefore one should include the same note as with Free&Easy.
