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Will my phone work in Germany?
Find out how to use your UK and US cell phone in Germany, what to check before traveling, and the best options to stay connected when abroad.
Yes, your phone will work in Germany, but you have to think about the best way to stay connected.
Options like roaming, local SIM cards, pocket WiFi, or a travel eSIM will do the work, but let’s talk about each one to learn how to use your cell phone in Germany.
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Can I use my phone in Germany?
Yes, you can use your phone in Germany, but you have to check two things:
- Frequency bands: Check that your phone works with local frequency bands, which shouldn’t be an issue as they rely on GSM bands.
- Unlocked phone: Depending on where you’re traveling from, you have to check if your phone is carrier-unlocked. UK phones are from 2021, but US phones are a different tale.
Once you’ve checked these things, you need to choose a cost-effective option for using your phone in Germany, as roaming is quite expensive.
How to use your cell phone in Germany
To use your cell phone in Germany, you have four options, so let’s see how each one works and what they offer.
eSIM
An eSIM is the best option for eSIM-compatible phone users.
You can buy it before traveling and get unlimited data as soon as you land, with the Holafly eSIM for Germany being your best option.
Pricing starts at $3.90 daily and includes unlimited data, 500 MB of hotspot data, 5GB of high-speed data, 24/7 customer support, and an easy activation process.
But that’s not the final price. The longer you stay, the cheaper your plan is, meaning it can cost you as little as $1.55 daily.
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Roaming
If your phone is carrier-locked, the only phone service available when traveling internationally is roaming, which can be quite expensive.
For UK travelers, roaming is a cost-effective option, as some plans include roaming passes ranging from £2 to £2.57 to unlock your local allowance in Germany.
But, depending on your local plan, you can get free roaming in Germany by using your local allowance for up to 25 GB.
For US travelers, things are different, as roaming pricing ranges from $10 to $12 with Verizon and AT&T for daily roaming passes, and up to $50 for a 30-day pass with T-Mobile.
Pay-as-you-go is quite expensive, as you can easily spend $2.05/MB, meaning you can send more on roaming than on some brezels.
Physical SIM card for Germany
If you’re using a SIM-only phone, a German SIM card is your best bet, with mobile providers like Vodafone Germany, Telefónica Germany, and Deutsche Telekom offering tourist plans.
German SIM card plans range from €5 to €100 (~$5.80 to $116.04 USD), with basic plans for a short-term trip costing around €10 (~$11.60).
Pocket WiFi for Germany
Renting a pocket WiFi is a good option for large groups of travelers, as it costs more than international roaming.
A one-week plan can cost you over $100, and most plans come with 1 GB of data, which might not be enough for a whole trip. Plus, you have to add delivery expenses and other add-ons.
Your best option is to turn your phone into a full-time hotspot with an eSIM. With Holafly Plans, you can get the Unlimited Plan and forget about costly roaming.
For $64.90 monthly, you get unlimited data, unlimited hotspot data, coverage in over 170 destinations, 5G data speeds, and a local phone number, making it a great alternative to pocket WiFi devices.
Will your phone work in Germany? The verdict
Yes, your phone will definitely work in Germany, but you have to choose an affordable option for your trip.
Roaming is cheap only if you’re traveling from the UK, but thing changes when you’re traveling from the USA, as you can spend over $100 in a 10-day trip.
The same applies to renting a pocket WiFi, as pricing and plans make it an expensive option, even for a group of travelers.
You can use a local SIM card, but these offer limited data plans, which might not be enough for a whole trip.
That leaves the eSIM for Germany, or Holafly Plans, as your best options to use your cell phone in Germany.
These include unlimited data, up to unlimited hotspot data, great coverage, and pricing is half the price compared to other alternatives.
Match your eSIM to your vacation
Choose a plan lasting between 1 and 90 days so you never pay for days or data you don't use.
If you’re traveling to other countries in Europe, here’s how you can use your cell phone there:
- Will my phone work in Europe?
- Use your cell phone in France
- How to use your cell phone in the UK
- Wil my phone work in Italy
- Will my phone work in Switzerland
FAQs
A SIM card in Germany is a good option for travelers with SIM-only phones, but most plans are limited and can cost more than using an eSIM.
Before traveling, check that your phone works with Germany’s mobile frequency bands, and ensure it is unlocked so you can use other options aside from roaming.
The best option to avoid roaming charges in Germany is to use an eSIM. If you don’t have an eSIM phone, a SIM card is your best call.
There are three major carriers in Germany: Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Germany, and Telefónica Germany.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
