Mobile plan in Germany: How to optimize your plan after getting started
By: Simon Heinrich – Last updated: 07/2026
This article is about optimizing your setup after you’ve settled in. Many people start with a prepaid SIM (for example our Vodafone CallYa recommendation) because it’s quick to activate and flexible – then later realize their value for money and data allowance could be better. A regular plan with automatic payments is also often more convenient than topping up credit manually.
30‑Sekunden‑Check: Was willst du eigentlich optimieren?
Beantworte diese drei Fragen – dann ist fast klar, welche Tarifart für dich passt:
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Bleibst du wahrscheinlich länger als 3 Monate?
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Brauchst du unterwegs viel Datenvolumen (Streaming, Hotspot, Pendeln)?
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Willst du maximale Flexibilität (monatlich kündbar) oder ist Laufzeit okay, wenn es deutlich günstiger ist?
Faustregel:
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Wenn du noch unsicher bist, wie lange du bleibst → nimm flexibel/monatlich kündbar.
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Wenn du planbar lange bleibst und ein gutes Angebot bekommst → kann auch ein Vertrag mit Laufzeit passen.
Wichtigster Hebel: Netz am Wohnort (nicht nur der Preis)
Viele „Tarif-Fehlkäufe“ passieren aus einem Grund: der Tarif ist günstig, aber das Netz ist dort schlecht, wo du es täglich brauchst (Wohnung, Uni/Arbeitsweg).
Deshalb ist mein Vorschlag: erst Netz grob festlegen, dann Angebote vergleichen. Das ist besonders sinnvoll, wenn du nicht in einer Großstadt wohnst oder du in Gebäuden/WGs mit schlechtem Empfang bist.
Our four criteria
So you don’t get lost in comparisons, focus on these four points:
- Network at your location: What matters is your home (indoors), your commute and coverage at university or workplace.
- Value for money: Not just the “monthly fee”, but the effective cost including one‑off charges.
- The right data allowance: Choose realistically instead of “maxing out”.
- Easy signup & verification: Ideally, an ID process that’s predictable – via POSTIDENT, or (where available) via eID.
Keeping your phone number (porting) - how to do it stress‑free
If you want to keep your German number, use number portability (porting). It’s free of charge for consumers. The key detail: your customer data (name, address, date of birth) must match with the old provider and the new one – otherwise the porting request may fail. You usually submit the porting request with the new provider. In some cases, you need an “Opt‑In” release from your current provider if you want to port immediately rather than at the contract end date. A detailed explanation is available on the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) page.
Vodafone works well for you? Optimize value/data next
If you were happy with Vodafone CallYa in everyday life (home + commute), this is the biggest lever with the lowest risk: stay on the Vodafone network and optimize value for money and your data allowance. Below you’ll find Drillisch tariffs on the Vodafone network – filterable by monthly cancellation vs. 24‑month contract term, and by the data amount you need.
How to use the table: select Network = Vodafone → choose monthly or 24 months → then pick your data allowance.
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If you don’t want to sign up via Drillisch (or can’t find a good match there), the next section links you directly to a small set of hand‑picked providers – organized by network.
More picks by network
Here you’ll find a short selection of providers for each network – with two clear routes: monthly cancellable or a 24‑month contract.
Telekom network: If stability is the priority
If you want to minimize the risk of weak reception and instability – especially if you travel a lot across different regions – the Telekom network is a solid choice.
Monthly cancellable: congstar
congstar is the straightforward option if you want Telekom network quality but don’t want to commit long‑term right away. You can test it in real life first (home/commute) and switch to a 24‑month plan later if it makes sense.
24 months: HIGH
HIGH is an interesting option if you want to commit to the Telekom network for 24 months, but want a cheaper entry point than going directly through the network operator. You can initiate number porting directly in the order process.
Vodafone network: If it already works well for you
If Vodafone works well for you, optimizing within the same network is usually smarter than experimenting with a new one.
Monthly cancellable: SIMon mobile
SIMon mobile is Vodafone’s discount brand and a good fit if you want to stay on the Vodafone network while starting out at a lower price point. Practical bonus: with SIMon mobile you can adjust your tariff on a monthly basis.
24 months: crash
crash offers very low‑priced SIM‑only tariffs and is worth a look if you want to use the Vodafone network while optimizing your monthly cost. When you sign up, pay close attention to the connection/activation fee and put your cancellation date straight into your calendar.
o2 / Telefónica: If value for money matters
o2 can be a good option if coverage is stable where you live. If you’re unsure, start with a monthly cancellable plan first – then consider a 24‑month contract once you’re confident.
Monthly cancellable: simyo
simyo is a simple value‑for‑money option on the o2/Telefónica network – great if o2 is stable at your location or if you want to test it first. If reception and data performance are good for you, you can still switch to a 24‑month term later.
24 months: simyo
If o2/Telefónica is reliably stable for you, simyo can also make sense as a fixed‑term option: you’ll typically save compared with monthly cancellable plans. Before you sign, check one‑off costs and note the cancellation date in your calendar.
Premium service: Directly with the network operator
If you want maximum predictability, prefer going to a shop, and value on‑site support, then a contract directly with a network operator is often the best fit: sign up with Telekom, Vodafone, o2, or 1&1.
Note on 1&1: Unlike Telekom/Vodafone/o2, 1&1 doesn’t have a nationwide retail shop network. If in‑person advice matters to you, the “big three” are the more obvious premium option – 1&1 support is primarily online and by phone.
If you haven’t found a good match yet – or you deliberately want to check other brands – you can use a broad market comparison here: Mobile plan comparison.
Learn how to sign up for a mobile plan in our guide How to Get a German SIM Card: Step-by-Step Guide.
Your next step: Stay stable first, then optimize deliberately
When your network is stable and your plan matches your real data needs, mobile service becomes background noise: you’re reliably reachable, you have enough data, and you don’t constantly have to manage top‑ups. That’s why it’s better not to try to make everything “perfect” all at once after arriving. Optimize step by step: first confirm the right network for your everyday life, then pick the right plan – only switch networks or go premium if you actually need to.