If you encounter any problems with your German sim card, you should reach out to the customer service of your respective provider. A few things can only be corrected through the phone and the customer service personnel is also happy to answer any questions you might have about using your sim card in Germany. Usually, all employees speak English as well.
The fastest way to contact customer service is through the support hotlines. However, be aware that you could encounter long wait times (up to 30 minutes) or automatic machine menus in German. If you choose to call one of the hotlines, it is advisable to ask a German-speaking friend to help you. If you choose to write an email, you might only receive a reply after a few weeks.
Note that you need to be a current customer to benefit from this service. If you are looking to order a sim card, please read our overview.
Telekom Customer Service
Telekom Help Website for all contracts: Telekom General Support Website
Hotline for SIM card contracts (free of charge within Germany): 0800 33 02202
Hotline for landline contracts (free of charge within Germany): 0800 33 01080
Hotline (from the Telekom network): 2202
Hotline (from a foreign country): +49 171 252 2202
E-Mail Contact: kundenservice.mobilfunk@telekom.de-mail.de
Vodafone Customer Service
EU-Roaming Hotline: 12220 (from Germany) | +49 172 12220 (from within EU)
For Vodafone Prepaid customers (CallYa):
Hotline: +49 172 229 0 229
Top Up Credit in a foreign country: 22922
E-Mail Contact: Use contact form (only in German)
For Vodafone Postpaid customers:
Hotline (free of charge within Germany): 0800 172 1212
Hotline (from the Vodafone network): 1212
Hotline (from a foreign country): +49 172 12 172 12
Fax: 02102 98 65 75
E-Mail Contact: Use contact form (only in German)
WhatsApp Vodafone Support: Click here (+49 172 1217212)
O2 Customer Service
General Hotline: +49 89 – 787 979 400 (Mon-Fri: 8am – 8pm, Sat: 10am – 6pm)
General Hotline (from a foreign country): +49 176 – 88 85 52 22 (Mon-Fri: 8am – 8pm, Sat: 10am – 6pm)
O2 Prepaid Hotline: +49 176 – 88 85 52 82 (Mon-Fri: 7am – 8pm, Sat: 10am – 6pm)
❗️English-speaking Hotline: +49 (0) 89 66 66 30081 (Mon-Fri: 10am – 6pm)
Hotline (from the O2 network): 1414
Hotline (from the O2 network): 55222 (0.20€ per call)
E-Mail Contact: No E-Mail Contact available, only Chat-Support (Mon-Fri: 8am – 8pm, Sat: 10am – 6pm)
Fax (for contract cancellation): 01805 571766
WhatsApp O2 Support: Click here (+49 176 88844444)
Congstar Customer Service
Hotline: 0180 6324444 (Mo-Sa: 8am – 10pm, Sun: 9am – 6pm) (0.20€ per call from landline, 0.60€ per call from mobile)
E-Mail Contact: Use contact form (only in German)
Chat-Support: Start Chat-Support (Mo-Sun: 8am – 10pm)
ALDI TALK Customer Service
Hotline: +49 (177) 177 1157 (Mon – Fr from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sa – Su 10 a.m to 6 p.m.)
From Germany: Please dial 1157 from your ALDI TALK mobile phone.
E-Mail Contact: Use contact form
Lebara Customer Service
Hotline: +49 (1806) 532 272 (Mon – Sun from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) (0.20€ per call from landline, 0.60€ per call from mobile)
From Germany: Please dial 5588 from your Lebara mobile phone. (0.15€ per call).
E-Mail Contact: Use contact form
Chat-Support: Start Chat-Support
Blau Customer Service
Hotline for postpaid customers: +49 (0) 177 177 1160 (Mon – Fr from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Hotline for prepaid customers: +49 (0) 177 177 1159 (Mon – Fr from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
E-Mail Contact: Use contact form
Chat-Support: Start Chat-Support (Mon – Fr from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Jensen
When I was in Germany, I would go to a supermarket (REWE) everytime I needed to top-up my phone service. As I’m currently still in the European Union but not Germany, I had a friend back in Germany purchase more credit for me from REWE, then he relayed the code to me. I cannot get ahold of any german customer service to activate this code. None of the above stated numbers are connecting for me. Any advice? I either need to find a way to finally get ahold of customer support or find the number I need to text the code to in order to top up my service.
Remy
I am shocked by how difficult it is work with O2 especially for english speaking customers.
You don’t have the option to change the language on the app, no english translation via phone. Some hotlines are not working. So if you ever find yourself in urgent need of help and you don’t speak German, good luck working with O2.
J.Geller
I couldn’t agree more – the whole thing is incredibly ironic as o2 (then Viag Interkom) was founded by Viag and British Telecom in the late 90s – I was part of it and most of us were from the UK – everyone spoke English.
Karyn Ellis
Vodafone Call-ya is not answering their hotline. Perhaps there is a new number? (October 23rd, 2019)
After an rather unusual Klarna interaction (no TAN number requested – first time that’s ever happened), my bank account shows they took 10 euros, but they have not sent an email receipt or recharged my phone yet after almost 18 hours. Frustrating!
I’ve reloaded my phone many many times online, but it’s the first time this has happened. And now I can’t reach them to find out what happened. (I double checked that I inputted the correct phone number to be charged, by the way. So it’s not that.)
I only speak A2 German, so i suppose I will ask a friend to help me with the email contact. Thanks for letting me vent and also for your posting that address.
Anthony Pulle
Hello Friends, I am having much trouble keeping my no when changing my provider from Mobilcom/debitel to Vodaphone in Freiburg. Due to major incompetence, 5 mistakes in 2 hrs, I decided to try another shop offering Vodaphone/Otelo, and keeping my no for €30.
I have 14 days to cancel the contract made with false information.
Hope this helps other users.
Jimbob
Hi – any chance of a English speaking ALDI representative? Or what option do I press when I ri g the hotline. Thanks if so
Guido Kohn
Hi! I moved to Germany a few weeks ago. I wanted an internet plan and bought the Aldi Starter pack (I don’t know if this was the right choice). It took several days to activate with the video-chat and personal identification in the post office and what that was done, I went to Aldi and asked for 10 euros internet plan. That was two hours ago, and now I don’t have any credit any more. What am I doing wrong? The people in the shop weren’t able to assist me because of their poor English… thanks for your time!
Naneth
My sim is locked and I need a PUK code but I have not the PUK code anymore ..what should I do..
MyGermanPhone
Just contact the respective customer service mentioned above
SL
I’m American coming to Germany to study for 6 weeks. I’ve been told that I’m not eligible to buy a local German SIM card due to my short duration in Germany. Supposedly, you must stay more than 90 days to purchase.
Any truth to this?
Great website!
Many thanks!
MyGermanPhone
That might be true for postpaid plans, but you can still use any of the prepaid SIM cards.
SL
I’m receiving conflicting information from professor in charge of study abroad who just wrote this:
“Due to changed regulations, you will not be able to purchase a SIM card in Germany. Please speak with your service provider in the U.S. and your parents to make sure that you can use your phone in Germany, Austria, and any other country you are planning to visit. Keep in mind that you might have to purchase a separate international data plan.”
Clearly, someone is misinformed but I don’t know who
Freddy
@MyGermanPhone
Well, since 2018, even prepaid SIM cards must be registered by verifying one’s identity. This can take several days and I am not sure whether it works without bigger issues for foreigners, especially when they are non-European.
MyGermanPhone
Identification is possible online via video chat and takes just a few minutes. Non-EU foreigners can just indicate that they use their passport for identification and it should work without any major problems.
Jay
Hi Team, Could you please help me by explaining how to change the language to English from German in ‘MeinVodafone’ App for Android phone? It would be very helpful if you could tell which options to click. Thanks in advance.
Sterin sebastian
I took a o2 postpaid sim card then i activated. But it is not working. When i am doing again it is showing your sim is already activated but am not getting range or message or anything what should i do.
MyGermanPhone
Please reach out to the o2 customer service, they will be able to help you
Chris
I am trying to add some GB to my callya. Already purchased 15euros of credit but cannot send SMS (even though i have credit) or download the app(because i am outside Germany) and the phone calls all German menu.
Samer
ALDI talk… The SIM is locked and I need the PUK code… How can I get it?…thanks.
MyGermanPhone
Hello Samer, you were given the PUK together with your SIM card.
Jestin
Hi I wanted to talk to someone at AldiTalk, when i call on the number mentioned above, the automated response is in Germany, dont know what to do. I have an aldi talk prepaid number and it has somehow got deactivated (for whatever reasons) how do i get it reactivated as I have been using the number for 3 years now.
Freddy
Bad luck, buddy. If you do not recharge for two years, a card can be deactivated to make the number available again to other customers.
O. Zuniga
Information is not correct. I have had problems with a prepaid SIM card that was never activated while on my holiday in Germany. It has been impossible to find an English speaking representative–or one willing to speak English. They are generally rude and quick to end the call on their side. Even when I was instructed to say “operator” if I wanted to speak to an English language operator, the answer was in German and the call dropped.
MyGermanPhone
Sorry to hear that! With which provider did you have this bad experience?
Max
Hi Zuniga, exactly they all knows English, but don’t speak. Very rude on the phone. Experience with O2 . After 2 times of call you get English person otherwise if you say anybody speaks English they say NUR GERMAN.