Best eSIM for Germany – Our Honest Picks for First-Time Visitors

Traveling to Germany and wondering how the heck you’re supposed to stay online without paying a fortune?

We’ve been there—and so have many of our international friends. Whether you’re coming from Canada, the U.S., or elsewhere, you’ll quickly realize: your usual cell provider’s international plan is either outrageously expensive or just doesn’t work reliably here.

And then you discover eSIMs. But which eSIM should you choose in Germany? Will your Deutsche Bahn app still work after switching? Can you use your Deutschland-Ticket stored in the app without issues? Will it cover other countries in Europe, too?

Here’s the good news: You don’t have to figure it all out yourself.

We’ve helped dozens of friends set up their Germany eSIMs—and we’ve tested the top providers (Holafly, Saily, Mobimatter and Airalo) ourselves.

In this guide, you’ll find:

• Which eSIM providers we’d recommend to our own friends visiting Germany
• Why we would recommend Holafly as a top pick
• Answers to questions like: Can I still use my apps after switching to eSIM?
• What to do if you’re visiting multiple European countries, or just staying in Germany for a few weeks

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TL;DR – The Most Important Things at a Glance

• Holafly offers unlimited data* – perfect for heavy users, streaming, and mobile hotspots.
• Airalo is super easy to set up* and ideal if you just need occasional data or are traveling across multiple European countries.
• Saily is usually the cheapest per GB*, great for budget travelers – but you’ll need a Gmail or Apple account to use it.
• Our tip: Download and install the eSIM before your trip, but only activate it after landing in Germany – that way, you’re connected immediately.
• Visiting multiple countries like Austria, Switzerland, or France? Holafly, Saily, and Airalo all offer Europe-wide plans.

Quick Comparison – Which eSIM Is Best for Germany?

Here’s a snapshot of the four eSIM providers we tested and what they’re best at. All are available internationally, and all worked for us (or our friends) while traveling in Germany.

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Provider	Data Volume	Price Value	Setup & App	What Stands Out	Promo Codes
Holafly*	Unlimited	💸 Pricier, starting at 6,90 USD	🟡 Our app crashed a couple of times, but service remained	No data limits	Our Holafly code for 5% off is PERSPEKTIVAN
Airalo*	Flexible packages	👍 Fair pricing, starting at 4,50 USD	✅ Super simple	Ideal for multi-country trips	–
Saily*	From 1 GB	💰 Cheapest plans, starting at 4,27 USD	🟡 Apple/Gmail adress only	Made by NordVPN = reliable & legit	ANNAUNDANNE5 for 5% off
Mobimatter	Up to 40 GB	💵 Low per GB	✅ Stable	Big data packs, but some annoying ads

Quick Recap: What to Choose?

• Want unlimited data and don’t mind paying a bit more? → Holafly*
• Need something easy and flexible, even for all of Europe? → Airalo*
• Traveling on a tight budget and don’t need unlimited? → Saily*
• Need lots of data at the best price? → Mobimatter

Up next: a deep dive into each provider—what we liked, what went wrong, and who it’s best for.

Holafly – Unlimited Data & No Headaches (Mostly)

If you just want your phone to work the second you land in Germany—without counting data or worrying about topping up—Holafly is hands-down the easiest option*.

We’ve recommended it to several friends from the U.S. and Canada who were visiting for 2–4 weeks, and the feedback has been solid: “It just works.”

Why we like Holafly for Germany:

• Unlimited data – stream, browse, upload, hotspot… no limits
• No need to monitor your usage or top up halfway through your trip
• Works well for YouTube, WhatsApp, Google Maps, Deutsche Bahn app
• You can choose a Europe-wide plan, which covers neighboring countries like Austria, France, and Switzerland

What to keep in mind:

• It’s a bit more expensive than other options—but you get peace of mind
• The app worked fine for us, but some translations were clunky and we had one crash during setup (nothing major)
• Holafly allows hotspot use, but it’s limited
  → That’s enough for emails or maps on a laptop, but not ideal for heavy hotspot users or remote workers.
• You don’t get a local German number—data only, no calls/texts (same as most eSIMs)

🎯 Want to avoid data stress completely?

Use our promo code PERSPEKTIVAN to save 5%

Airalo – Easy Setup

Airalo is like the “safe bet” of eSIMs worldwide*. It’s not flashy —but it works.

We’ve used Airalo* multiple times ourselves and helped plenty of first-time Germany travelers set it up. Especially if you’re not super tech-savvy, Airalo has some easy to understand videos how to set up the eSIM properly.

Why Airalo works well in Germany:

• Setup is a breeze – it takes maybe 5 minutes to install and activate
• Plans start small (e.g., 1GB), but you can easily top up in the app
• Coverage is solid across Germany’s big cities and even held up on Deutsche Bahn trains
• You can buy Europe regional plans if you’re visiting more than one country

Best for:

• First-time eSIM users
• Travelers who want a simple and quick setup
• People visiting Germany + other EU countries like Switzerland, France, etc.

Downsides:

• Data is capped – once you use it, you’ll need to top up.
• If you choose Airalo’s “unlimited” Europe plan, be aware that it includes 3 GB per day at full speed. After that, speeds are throttled to 1 Mbps until the next 24-hour cycle.
  → That’s still fine for basic browsing and messaging, but not great for streaming or hotspotting.
• Data-only like most eSIMs—no local phone number or SMS

🎯 Want a no-fuss eSIM that just works?
→ Check out Airalo’s Europe or Germany plans*

Saily – Budget-Friendly, Ad-Blocking & Backed by NordVPN

If you’re looking for a cheap, reliable eSIM for Germany that doesn’t feel sketchy, Saily might be the hidden gem you didn’t know you needed*.

It’s actually developed by the team behind NordVPN—a VPN service we’ve been using for years and trust with our own online security. That alone gave us more confidence to test it, and it delivered.

Why Saily is surprisingly great:

• Backed by NordVPN = well-built, privacy-focused, trustworthy
• Super affordable per GB – excellent for budget-conscious travelers
• Built-in ad-blocker, so your data isn’t wasted on popups, trackers, or autoplay ads
• Option to choose Germany-only or multi-country Europe plans
• We had zero issues with the Deutsche Bahn app, Germany Ticket, or Google Maps

Downsides to be aware of:

• You need to sign in with either a Google or Apple account to activate your eSIM. If that’s a dealbreaker, skip it.
• While Saily does offer an “unlimited” plan, there’s a daily soft cap of 5 GB at full speed. After that, speeds may slow down until the next day.
  → So technically unlimited, but only 5 GB/day at full speed. Great for casual use, but not ideal if you stream or hotspot a lot.
• Like most eSIMs, it’s data-only (no phone number or SMS)

Best for:

• Anyone who wants low-cost data without spammy ads
• Travelers who already use NordVPN and trust the brand
• Visitors staying 1–4 weeks who want reliable data without spending a fortune

🎯 Want solid mobile data without breaking the bank?
→ Check out Saily’s Germany and Europe eSIM*

Mobimatter – Massive Data Packs at Low Prices (With Some Trade-Offs)

We used Mobimatter on vacation in Canada & the US. The value was unbeatable: we paid under $40 for a 40 GB data plan, valid for 30+ days. Perfect for heavy browsing, streaming, and hotspot use.

Why Mobimatter is a great option (for the right traveler):

• Big data packages for a fraction of the price of most competitors
• Reliable connection once activated
• App is straightforward and allows quick eSIM activation

Things to watch out for:

• Depending on the provider you choose through Mobimatter, you might see odd ad popups or “sponsored content”—especially with some Asia-based networks
• Like the others, it’s data-only, so don’t expect calls or SMS

Best for:

• Heavy data users who want a ton of GBs for a long stay
• Travelers going to multiple countries who need flexibility
• Anyone willing to trade a little polish for a great deal

🎯 Need lots of data at the best price?
→ Explore Mobimatter’s eSIM options for Germany and Europe

How We Tested the Best eSIMs for Germany

We didn’t just Google the options—we’ve personally used and tested all the providers we recommend in this post. And we’ve helped plenty of our friends set up their eSIMs before visiting Germany, too.

What we paid attention to:

• Setup process: Was it quick and smooth? Any confusing instructions?
• App quality: Some were surprisingly user-friendly, others… not so much.
• Customer support: We tested how responsive each provider was when we needed help.

Our Recommendation – Which eSIM Should You Choose in Germany?

You’ve seen the options. You’ve read the pros and cons. Now here’s what we personally recommend—based on our own travel experiences and what we suggest to friends visiting Germany:

Your Travel Style	Best eSIM Option	Why We Recommend It
You want unlimited data & zero stress	Holafly eSIM*	Unlimited, no counting, perfect for streaming & maps
You prefer a simple, flexible setup	Airalo eSIM*	Easy to use, great for Germany + Europe
You want low prices & can block ads	Saily eSIM*	Cheap, ad-blocker built in, backed by NordVPN
You need lots of GBs for longer trips	Mobimatter eSIM	Biggest data packages at the lowest price

🎯 Still not sure which one’s right for you?
Think about your travel style:

• Are you a planner? → Go with Airalo* or Saily*.
• Are you a streamer, hotspotter, Google Maps every 5 minutes kinda traveler? → Holafly is your best friend*.

Our Final Thoughts – eSIMs Make Travel in Germany So Much Easier

If there’s one thing we wish we’d done on our very first trip across Germany, it’s this: set up an eSIM before arriving.

Having mobile data from the moment you land makes everything easier—navigating from Munich airport to Theresienwiese, checking the weather in the Alps, finding your hotel in near the Frankfurt embassy, or Googling “best schnitzel near me.”

Whether you go for unlimited peace of mind (Holafly*), a balanced, no-fuss setup (Airalo*), or budget-smart with ad-blocking (Saily*), you’re going to be way better off than relying on airport Wi-Fi or roaming charges from back home.

🎯 Our recommendation for Germany
→ Get Holafly’s unlimited data plan for Germany*
(Use our promo code PERSPEKTIVAN to save 5%)

Safe travels—and let us know in the comments which eSIM worked best for you!

What’s Next?

🎒 Need help packing?
→ Don’t miss our [Germany packing list for first-time visitors] – with the real must-haves we actually use

📲 Want more travel tools, tips & free checklists?
→ Join our newsletter here – and get the planning guide we wish we’d had

📲 Need unlimited data in Germany?
→ We’ve compared the best plans with unlimited data for you!

📲 Want to compare the cheapest eSIM options for Germany?
→ We’ve compared the best eSIM options for budget travelers

Want to compare the best eSIMs for Europe? We wrote a complete guide about unlimited data for country-hopping in Europe.

FAQs – eSIMs for Germany: What You Need to Know