How to Get a German SIM Card: Step-by-Step Guide
By: Simon Heinrich – Last updated: 03/2026
This guide walks you through the process of getting a German SIM card – from preparation and registration through to activation. The steps apply broadly regardless of which provider or plan you choose.
→ Not sure which SIM card is the right starting point for you? Take a look at our first recommendation: German SIM Card: Get Connected First – Optimise Later.
What you need before you start
A little preparation goes a long way. Having everything ready before you start means the application goes faster and you avoid interruptions during registration.
In practice, you will need:
- A valid ID document – usually a passport or national identity card
- A phone that works with the SIM card you want; for eSIM, an eSIM-compatible device
- An email address you can access immediately
- An address in Germany, or at least an address you can use when placing the order
- Enough time for the identity verification step, in case it cannot be completed straight away
If you have just arrived and need a working number as quickly as possible, a prepaid SIM is usually the easiest place to start. A full comparison of prepaid and postpaid plans, along with our recommendations by network, is available in our article Mobile plan in Germany: How to optimize your plan after getting started.
Step by step: How to get a German SIM card
Die Beantragung läuft bei den meisten Anbietern ähnlich ab. Unterschiede gibt es vor allem beim Tarif, bei der Identitätsprüfung und bei der Frage, ob du eine physische SIM oder eine eSIM nutzt.
Step one: Choose a plan
Start by choosing the SIM card or plan that suits your current situation. For people who have just arrived, a simple option that can be activated quickly usually makes more sense than signing up for a long-term contract straight away.
Step two: Choose between a physical SIM and an eSIM
Many providers give you the choice. If your smartphone supports eSIM, that is often the fastest route, since there is no physical card to wait for in the post.
If your device does not support eSIM, you will need a standard SIM card. In that case, activation may take a little longer, either because you need to wait for delivery or buy a card in person first.
Step three: Enter your personal details
Next, you fill out the order or registration form. You will typically be asked for your name, date of birth, nationality, address, and contact details. Enter all of this exactly as it appears in your ID document – even small differences can cause problems later during identity verification.
Double-barrelled names need to be entered in full, for example Jean-Paul as a first name or Valverde-Belmonte as a surname. This applies equally to surnames without a hyphen, such as Al Jameel. If you have multiple first names, the second and any further names can usually be left out – so if your full name is Otto Eduard Leopold, entering Otto is enough.
You may also be asked for a phone number at some point during the application. Ideally, use the German number of a friend or acquaintance, as verification codes may be sent there by SMS. Once you have your own German number, update this in your account straight away so that any SMS notifications go directly to you. If you do not have a German number to hand, your existing number from abroad will work too.
Step four: Verify your identity
Once the order is placed, you need to confirm your identity. In Germany, this step is a legal requirement for activating any SIM card.
Depending on the provider, verification can be done in several ways:
- Video identification
- App-based identification
- eID (online ID function)
- POSTIDENT (via a Deutsche Post branch)
- In-store verification at the provider’s shop
The SIM card can only be activated once this step is successfully completed. Our clear recommendation is to use POSTIDENT in person at a branch. It is easy to plan, and more types of ID documents are accepted there than with most other verification methods.
Step five: Wait for activation
Once your identity has been verified, your SIM card will be activated. With eSIM, this usually happens quickly, as you receive a QR code or activation link directly.
For a physical SIM card, you will need to insert the card and may need to complete one or two final steps in your account. After that, you can make calls, receive texts, and use mobile data.
Step six: Top up your credit
With prepaid plans, you’ll need to add credit after activation before you can make calls, send texts, or use mobile data.
You have several options:
- Buy a top-up voucher: Available at the post office, supermarkets, drugstores, and petrol stations. Scratch off the code and enter it via the app or a shortcode.
- Top up online: Through your provider’s customer portal using a credit card, PayPal, or bank transfer. However, you’ll need WiFi or another internet connection for this.
- Set up automatic top-up: Many providers offer automatic top-ups when your balance falls below a certain amount.
Our tip: The most practical option when you’re just starting out is a top-up voucher. You can pick one up at the post office when you do your POSTIDENT – no internet or bank account needed.
How identity verification works
Some mobile providers in Germany use the POSTIDENT service provided by Deutsche Post for identity verification. The branch option is particularly recommended for non-German citizens, as most Deutsche Post branches accept foreign official ID documents and passports with a photo and machine-readable zone.
How it works at the branch
- During or after the application, select identity verification via POSTIDENT at a branch.
- You’ll receive a coupon or QR code – either directly in the process or by email.
- Find a branch that offers POSTIDENT using Deutsche Post’s branch finder: https://www.deutschepost.de/de/s/standorte.html
Enter your address in the search field, then under “Filtern” (filter) and “Service” select “POSTIDENT durchführen” (POSTIDENT available). As you can see in the screenshot below, using Munich as an example, only a limited number of Post branches actually offer the POSTIDENT service, so it’s worth checking in advance.
- Go to the counter and let the staff know you’d like to complete a POSTIDENT.
- Show your coupon and your ID document. The coupon can be displayed on your smartphone screen and scanned directly – you don’t need to print it out. However, make sure you show the original digital coupon, not a screenshot, as screenshots can cause technical scanning issues.
- Your details are recorded and forwarded to the bank.
Tip: If PostIdent is rejected at a branch – for example because an unfamiliar ID format causes uncertainty – it is worth visiting a different branch. Ultimately, the decision also lies with the person at the counter.
→ Welche Ausweise beim POSTIDENT akzeptiert werden und weitere Ident-Verfahren wie VideoIdent erklären wir ausführlich in unserem Artikel zu Ident-Verfahren in Deutschland. [interner Link – folgt]
How long activation takes
How quickly you can actually start using your German number depends mainly on the type of SIM you choose and how smoothly the verification goes.
As a rough guide:
- Fastest with eSIM, if verification is completed without any issues
- A little longer with a physical SIM, if you are waiting for delivery or manual activation
- The most time is usually lost when details have been entered incorrectly or verification needs to be repeated
The application itself typically takes only a few minutes. Delays tend to happen at the activation stage, not during the form. If everything goes smoothly, activation within an hour of verification is realistic – though most providers note that it can take up to 24 hours.
Common problems and how to fix them
The same issues come up again and again. Knowing what to expect means you can deal with them quickly if they happen to you.
PostIdent is rejected
This happens more often than you might expect, and it is not always the document that is the problem. Staff at some branches simply are not used to dealing with foreign ID formats.
If that happens, the best approach is to try a different branch. In many cases, the verification goes through without any issues elsewhere.
Activation is taking longer than expected
The application is usually quick, but activation can sometimes take a while. Often there is just one final confirmation step missing, or the identity check has not been fully processed yet.
Check your inbox, your spam folder, and your account before submitting the application a second time. It sometimes just needs a bit more time.
The eSIM is not setting up correctly
In most cases, the issue is with the device rather than the order itself. Not every smartphone supports eSIM, and some devices are locked or not set up to use it.
Check whether your phone supports eSIM and whether it is unlocked for all networks. If it is not, a physical SIM card is the way to go instead.
The physical SIM has not arrived and you need a number now
Waiting for a card in the post can be frustrating, especially right after arrival when having a working number matters. If speed is the priority, eSIM is often the better choice. If your phone does not support eSIM, buying a physical SIM locally is usually quicker than waiting for delivery.
You signed up for the wrong plan
It sometimes becomes clear after the fact that a different option would have been a better fit – particularly right after arriving in a new country.
If you signed up online, you often have a 14-day right of withdrawal. Check your emails or your account and follow the steps provided there to cancel if needed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a German SIM card right after arriving?
Yes, in most cases that is straightforward. A prepaid option is usually the most practical place to start.
Do I need a German bank account to apply?
Not for a prepaid SIM. If you later want to sign up for a monthly contract, having your own bank account is necessary, since payments are typically collected by direct debit.
Is eSIM better than a regular SIM card?
Not necessarily better, but often faster. If your phone supports it, eSIM is usually the most convenient option for getting started quickly.
Can I switch to a different plan later?
Yes, in most cases that is easy to do. That is exactly why it often makes sense to simply get set up first and optimise later.
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Ready to go
Getting a German SIM card is usually far less complicated than it looks at first. Once you have your documents ready and know what to expect from the verification process, the application itself is done quickly.
The part that tends to take the most time is not filling in the form – it is waiting for activation. Starting the process as early as you can means you will have a working German number when you need it.