eSIM adoption in Germany has been slower than in some other markets, though it is now fairly widely available with the major carriers. The question is whether it is actually better for you, given that Germany's identity verification requirement applies equally to both.
Carrier eSIM support as of 2026
Telekom, Vodafone, and o2 all support eSIM on their direct plans. Most of their MVNOs do not, or support it only on specific tariffs. Aldi Talk, Congstar (Telekom MVNO), and some others have added eSIM support gradually — check the specific carrier's current offering, because the list changes and this article will not stay current indefinitely.
Prepaid eSIM is available but less common than postpaid eSIM. If you want a prepaid number without a contract, your eSIM options are more limited.
The registration process for eSIM
The identity verification requirement is the same for eSIM as for physical SIM — you still have to verify your identity before the profile is activated. The verification method differs by carrier. Telekom and Vodafone typically use their respective apps or a video identification service. The in-store experience also works for eSIM: a staff member verifies your ID and generates a QR code you scan with your phone to install the eSIM profile.
One practical issue: the QR code for eSIM activation can only be used once and typically expires within a few hours. If your phone has trouble scanning it, or if you need to reinstall the profile later, you will need to request a new one, which varies in how smoothly it goes.
Switching phones
Switching phones with a physical SIM means physically moving the card. Switching with eSIM means transferring the profile, which requires carrier involvement and varies in how easy it is. In Germany, where customer service processes at telecoms are often handled in German and during business hours, this can be more friction than it sounds. Some carriers handle eSIM profile transfers cleanly; others require you to get a new activation code.
Dual SIM scenarios
Modern phones support two active numbers — typically one physical SIM and one eSIM, or two eSIMs on newer models. The use case in Germany is often: one German number for local calls and data, one number from another country for when you travel. eSIM makes this easier because you can download and activate profiles without handling physical cards. Roaming costs within the EU are regulated, so the cost argument is less compelling than it once was, but keeping a second number active has other advantages.
When physical SIM is still simpler
If you are setting up a number for the first time in Germany, walking into a Telekom or Vodafone store with your passport and leaving with an active physical SIM is often faster and less prone to things going wrong than the eSIM process. The physical SIM route is well-established; store staff handle it many times a day. eSIM activation in-store is less routine, and errors in the QR code process are more disruptive than a SIM that simply does not activate.
For people arriving in Germany and needing a number quickly, the physical SIM is the more reliable path. eSIM becomes more attractive once you are settled and want to streamline a dual-number setup.