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wolfbln · **Updates 06/07/17 -** 06-07-2017, 20:03

A few days into the new regulations for prepaid registration, there is still lots of confusion, how and where to buy a prepaid starter in Germany.

Generally, it has got much harder for some foreigners to buy certain brands as they require Web ID oder Video Identification and not all passports from all nations are accepted.

So you might expect some problems activating a prepaid starter in Germany. As now a double verification scheme is required, it's not so instant like it used to be. It can take some hours to days until the SIM connects with the network.

A short survey about your options:
1.) the network operators do the activation in their shops. This may be the most convenient way for foreigners. Just go to a high street store. But Telekom can be very picky and sometimes likes to see a verified German address (instead of "any" address), Vodafone often applies an extra fee of €10 or a minimum balance of €55 - so O2 may be your best bet, but not the best network. The huge Mediamarkt and Saturn stores activate O2 too. But for all stores, you'll need to have bought the starter pack there.

2.) most brands or operators now do the Video ID through a video chat in which you have to show your passport. Again, not all nationalities can be registered this way. Vodafone has this list of countries: https://www.vodafone.de/hilfe/prepai...r-online-ident. This applies to its resellers like Lidl Connect too. But for many resellers this remains the only option. Not coming from one of the mentioned countries, better stay away from them. O2 presumably uses this list here for their resellers like Aldi Talk: click on Nationaliät wählen and choose your country.

Activation through video ID takes some hours too and some unlucky users are waiting for days now. Once established, it may become a good system. You can also use it from abroad for pre-purchased SIM cards. But for now, it's not for everybody and can take quite a while.

3.) Post ID and other ID verification systems
There are other options like "Post ID" done in postal agencies showing your passport. But this takes some days too, as your information is sent by mail. For citizens of some countries it may be the only way, but you'll need a lot of patience.

4.) Ethno brands
The usual ethno providers have established some "activation points" in some of their reseller's stores. Lebara still sells pre-activated SIMs which is illegal and Lycamobile probably does so too. Once working, their registration system is probably not so picky about where you come from as these brands remain popular amongst immigrants. Both providers provide locators for these shops on their website.

So you have two issues coming as a foreigner to Germany right now:
1.) some passports (from out of the EU) are not accepted
2.) activation can take a while for everybody
We have to wait until this new system has been established to see whether they will persist.

Right now, most visitors will still be able to activate a SIM card in Germany. It's best to go to a branded store in a downtown shopping street or center or for the ethno brands to their small shops often run by migrants in the usual neighborhoods with your passport and (any) German street address in mind. Having a "rare" passport from overseas, expect some delays or shopping around to find any provider that is going to register you.

Giving this confusion you might think of bringing a SIM card from another EU/EEA country instead and using it at domestic rates under the new "Roam like at home". But be aware that not all EU providers have adopted RLaH so far (e.g. Lycamobile has not) and many restrict their use outside the home country to a certain limit or apply surcharges beyond.

	(#2)
wolfbln (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 206 Join Date: 14 Jul 2014 Country:	Updates 06/07/17 - 06-07-2017, 20:03 A few days into the new regulations for prepaid registration, there is still lots of confusion, how and where to buy a prepaid starter in Germany. Generally, it has got much harder for some foreigners to buy certain brands as they require Web ID oder Video Identification and not all passports from all nations are accepted. So you might expect some problems activating a prepaid starter in Germany. As now a double verification scheme is required, it's not so instant like it used to be. It can take some hours to days until the SIM connects with the network. A short survey about your options: 1.) the network operators do the activation in their shops. This may be the most convenient way for foreigners. Just go to a high street store. But Telekom can be very picky and sometimes likes to see a verified German address (instead of "any" address), Vodafone often applies an extra fee of €10 or a minimum balance of €55 - so O2 may be your best bet, but not the best network. The huge Mediamarkt and Saturn stores activate O2 too. But for all stores, you'll need to have bought the starter pack there. 2.) most brands or operators now do the Video ID through a video chat in which you have to show your passport. Again, not all nationalities can be registered this way. Vodafone has this list of countries: https://www.vodafone.de/hilfe/prepai...r-online-ident. This applies to its resellers like Lidl Connect too. But for many resellers this remains the only option. Not coming from one of the mentioned countries, better stay away from them. O2 presumably uses this list here for their resellers like Aldi Talk: click on Nationaliät wählen and choose your country. Activation through video ID takes some hours too and some unlucky users are waiting for days now. Once established, it may become a good system. You can also use it from abroad for pre-purchased SIM cards. But for now, it's not for everybody and can take quite a while. 3.) Post ID and other ID verification systems There are other options like "Post ID" done in postal agencies showing your passport. But this takes some days too, as your information is sent by mail. For citizens of some countries it may be the only way, but you'll need a lot of patience. 4.) Ethno brands The usual ethno providers have established some "activation points" in some of their reseller's stores. Lebara still sells pre-activated SIMs which is illegal and Lycamobile probably does so too. Once working, their registration system is probably not so picky about where you come from as these brands remain popular amongst immigrants. Both providers provide locators for these shops on their website. So you have two issues coming as a foreigner to Germany right now: 1.) some passports (from out of the EU) are not accepted 2.) activation can take a while for everybody We have to wait until this new system has been established to see whether they will persist. Right now, most visitors will still be able to activate a SIM card in Germany. It's best to go to a branded store in a downtown shopping street or center or for the ethno brands to their small shops often run by migrants in the usual neighborhoods with your passport and (any) German street address in mind. Having a "rare" passport from overseas, expect some delays or shopping around to find any provider that is going to register you. Giving this confusion you might think of bringing a SIM card from another EU/EEA country instead and using it at domestic rates under the new "Roam like at home". But be aware that not all EU providers have adopted RLaH so far (e.g. Lycamobile has not) and many restrict their use outside the home country to a certain limit or apply surcharges beyond. Last edited by wolfbln; 06-07-2017 at 20:16..