Network Providers
German cell service ranges from plans offered by large multinational companies to more affordable plans that you can purchase at the grocery store.
Good news: if you have a German service plan, you do not have to pay roaming charges when traveling to or calling other EU countries!
SIM Cards
In order to use German service plans, you will need a German SIM card. Make sure your cellphone is unlocked (you can find a guide here) if you plan on using a data plan while in Germany.
New laws for SIM card registration in Germany are in effect as of July 2017. Prepaid SIM cards must be registered. In addition to in-person identification (passport, etc.), you may need to show your registration or residence permit, along with your official registered address for prepaid SIM cards.
How to Call Internationally
German phone numbers are structured differently than American ones, so it's not always easy to figure out what to dial. Here's a quick guide for calling German numbers from a US cell phone, and for calling those same numbers from a landline.
The US country code is (+1), while Germany's is (+49).
- To call the US from a cell phone: +1 (000) 000-0000; from a landline: 001 (000) 000-0000.
- To call a European number with an American cell phone: 011+(country code)+(number); with a German cellphone: +49 (number)
To call within the same European country from a landline, dial the ‘0’ at the beginning of the number.