PrePaidGSM > Operators > Germany
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 | ||
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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: | GSM-World | |
| Prepaid offer: | click here | |
| Last update: | 25/01/10 | |
| Vodafone D2 GmbH | ||
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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: | GSM-World | |
| Prepaid offer: | click here | |
| Last update: | 21/01/09 | |
| E-Plus Service GmbH & Co.KG | ||
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Prepaid Card Name: | Free |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: | € 19.90/10.00 +150 free minutes | |
| Card Validity after activation: | 12 months | |
| Net Frequency: | EGSM 900, GSM 1800, W-CDMA 2100 | |
| Logo, Net Code: | e-plus, 262 03 | |
| Coverage Map: | GSM-World | |
| Prepaid offer: | click here | |
| Last update: | 20/02/08 | |
| O2 (Germany) GmbH & Co. OHG | ||
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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-World plus roaming on T-Mobile | |
| Prepaid offer: | click here | |
| Last update: | 06/05/09 | |
Virtual Operators
| Medion Mobile (Aldi Talk) | ||
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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: | 03/03/09 | |
| FONIC GmbH | ||
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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: | 03/03/09 | |
| REWE Deutscher Supermarkt KG aA (Penny-Mobil and Ja! Mobil) | ||
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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: | 03/03/09 | |
| allMobility Deutschland GmbH (Schlecker) | ||
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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: | 03/03/09 | |
| Tchibo Mobilfunk GmbH & Co. KG | ||
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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: | 03/03/09 | |
Debitel Light
The prepaid MVNO offer by Debitel, called 'Debitel Light', has been closed down and all customers moved to Blau which has an identical offer.
Internet Based Virtual Operators
| Congstar GmbH | ||
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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 | ||
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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: | 25/01/10 | |
| Simyo GmbH | ||
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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: | 21/01/09 | |
| MS Mobile Services GmbH (Maxxim) | ||
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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 | ||
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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: | 22/01/10 | |
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 | ||
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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: | 21/01/09 | |
| avantaje | ||
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Prepaid Card Name: | Avantaje Mobile |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: | € 7.95/3.00 | |
| Card Validity after activation: | 12 months | |
| Net Frequency: | MVNO on GSM 1800 | |
| Logo, Net Code: | Maxxim, 262 03 | |
| Network: | Vistream (E-Plus) | |
| Prepaid offer: | click here | |
| Last update: | 03/03/09 | |
Other "International Calls &roaming" MVNOs
| Ortel Mobile GmbH | ||
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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 | |
| toBEmobile GmbH (SunSim) | ||
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Prepaid Card Name: | SunSim |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: | € 14.95/5.00 | |
| Card Validity after activation: | 6+2 months | |
| Net Frequency: | MVNO on GSM 1800 | |
| Logo, Net Code: | SunSim, 262 03 | |
| Network: | E-Plus | |
| Prepaid offer: | click here | |
| Last update: | 03/03/09 | |
| Blau Mobilfunk GmbH | ||
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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) | ||
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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: | 03/03/09 | |
| Ay-Yildiz (E-Plus) | ||
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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 | |
| Mox Telecom Ireland Limited | ||
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Prepaid Card Name: | MoxMobil (Xtra Move) |
| Activation Fee/Credit included: | € 19.95/10.00 | |
| Card Validity after activation: | 12 months | |
| Net Frequency: | MVNO on GSM 900/1800 | |
| Logo, Net Code: | MoxMobil, 262 01 | |
| Network: | T-Mobile | |
| Prepaid offer: | click here | |
| Last update: | 24/01/08 | |
Registering German prepaid cards
Theorectically all German Prepaid Cards have to be registered. Practically you can buy SIMs from the network operators (Xtra, Callya, E-Plus or Loop) 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.
Xtra, Callya, Loop, Free&Easy 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, Debitel Light, Blau.de, Schwarzfunk, Jamba, Viva: These cards are bought via internet but shipping is only possible to German addresses.
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.
Cheaper international calls
There are 4 providers of this service but all belong to the same company (01051 Telekom) and their prefix (0180-5151051) and prices are identical:
| Prepaid Card | Mo-Fr 7-20 | Mo-Fr 20-7, Sa-Su 0-24 |
| T-Mobile Xtra | € 0.69 | € 0.69 |
| Vodafone CallYa | € 0.79 | € 0.79 |
| E-Plus, SIMyo, Schwarzfunk, Blau | € 0.86 | € 0.35 |
| O2 Loop | € 0.69 | € 0.69 |
| Tchibo | € 0.81 | € 0.81 |
How does it work? Simply make the international call via the 0180-5151051 prefix: you pay 12 cents to the 0180-5 service provider plus the 0180-5 charge for your network. The overall charge is deducted from your German prepaid card's credit. 01805-calls are only possible to landline numbers, unless specifically listed in the destination list.
The 4 providers are: Telebillig, Telediscount, Telestunt, Teledump.
Thanks to Telecom-Tips site for this information!
GSM and UMTS networks in Germany
Both the T-Mobile and D2 network have an excellent GSM coverage within
Germany. They are mostly using GSM 900, with a few GSM 1800 stations in
some larger cities to cope with congestion.
E-Plus and O2 are primarely using GSM 1800. They have been
assigned (E)GSM 900 frequencies as well and have begun to use them in
December 2005. E-Plus has a very good coverage as well. The O2 network
however, covers only about 80% of the population, but O2 cards can roam
on the T-Mobile network outside major cities at no extra charge.
If you have a mobile that supports GSM 900 (but not GSM 1800) it is
stronly recommend that you get a SIM on either the T-Mobile or D2 network.
In case your mobile supports GSM 1800 (but not GSM 900) you should
get a SIM-Card on the E-Plus network (or O2 if you aren't planning to
travel to rural areas).
All four operators have begun building up a 3G (UMTS) network as
well and cover about 2/3 of the population in Germany each, which of
course includes all major cities.
Alas, the only prepaid cards allowed to log on to the 3G networks are Xtra, Callya (with special option) and Aldi Talk.
Thanks to Johan for all the useful information!
