Mobile data in Germany: cities, trains and the countryside
Germany is in the EU, so roaming is usually the easy part. The surprise for visitors is coverage: it is excellent in the cities and patchy on regional trains and in rural areas, which is the one thing worth planning for.
See eSIMs for GermanyIs roaming free in Germany?
- Plans from the EU and the EEA: yes, roam like at home applies, within your operator’s fair use limit.
- UK plans: it depends on your operator since Brexit.
- Plans from outside Europe: usually international roaming or a daily pass.
The EU roaming calculator tells you how many gigabytes your own plan has to give you abroad.
eSIM for Germany
Data on your phone the moment you land in Germany. No account, no app, no shop.
Choose your data
For one to two weeks of maps, messaging and the odd video.
Buy up to 180 days before you fly: the plan only starts when the eSIM connects at your destination.
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Will it work on my phone?
On iPhone: Settings → General → About, and scroll to EID. If there is an EID, your phone takes eSIMs. Every iPhone from the XS (2018) onwards does.
On Android: Settings → About phone → Status, and look for EID. If there is an EID, your phone takes eSIMs. Most Galaxy S20, Pixel 3 and later do.
It also has to be carrier-unlocked. If you bought it outright or your contract is over, it almost certainly is.
And if it turns out yours cannot use it, write to us and you get every cent back.
Discount code
How it works
- 1Choose and payCard, Apple Pay or Google Pay. No account.
- 2Install it at homeThe QR arrives by email. Scan it on wifi in a minute.
- 3Connect when you landTurn on data roaming for the eSIM and you are online.
Why the signal drops on the train
Long-distance and regional lines run through cuttings, tunnels and forest, and German railway coverage has been a running complaint for years. On an ICE it usually comes back in the open; on a regional train through Bavaria or Thuringia it can be gone for stretches. Download tickets, maps and anything you need to read before you board — this is not something a different SIM fixes.
Which eSIM works in Germany?
A Germany eSIM runs on the local networks, O2 (5G), Vodafone (5G). It is data only: your usual number stays on your own SIM for calls and bank codes.
Coverage in cities and in the countryside
Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne and Frankfurt have strong coverage with 5G. In small towns, forests and along parts of the Autobahn it thins out on every network, so an eSIM will not perform miracles where no operator has a mast.
How much data for a trip to Germany?
- 3 GB: a long weekend in Berlin or Munich.
- 5 GB: a week with maps, messages and photos.
- 10 GB: two weeks, or a work trip with video calls.
- 20 GB: a month, or sharing data with a laptop.
The data calculator gives an estimate in five questions.
Prices for Germany
Germany data eSIMs: 3 GB for 4,79 €, 5 GB for 6,99 €, 10 GB for 11,49 € and 20 GB for 17,29 €. The plan starts on the first connection in Germany.
Do I need a German SIM if my plan is from the EU?
Usually not: roam like at home covers Germany. It is worth a data eSIM if your fair use limit is small or you want to keep work data separate.
Is there 5G in Germany?
Yes, in the cities and along main routes. Our Germany page lists which local networks carry it.
Will I have signal on the ICE?
Mostly, with gaps in tunnels and cuttings. Regional lines are worse. Download what you need before boarding.
Does the eSIM work in Austria or Switzerland too?
Only if the plan lists them. Switzerland is outside EU roaming, so for a trip that crosses it, check the Europe plan, which includes Switzerland.
Get your eSIM before you fly: the QR arrives by email in minutes and the plan only starts when you connect at your destination.
See eSIMs for Germany