How to Top Up a Prepaid SIM in Germany

Recharging (Aufladen) a prepaid SIM card in Germany is straightforward, with multiple channels available depending on your location, payment preferences, and the specific provider. This guide covers all available top-up methods in detail, including online portals, physical vouchers, post offices, bank transfers, and automated refills.

Standard Top-Up Amounts

German providers typically offer top-up amounts in fixed denominations. Common amounts include:

€5 €10 €15 €20 €25 €30 €50

The minimum top-up is typically €5 or €10 depending on the provider. Some providers allow arbitrary amounts above the minimum when topping up via card payment online. Credit loaded onto the SIM is typically valid for 12 months, though this varies by provider — some credit expires after 90 days if the SIM is not used.

Method 1: Provider Website / App

The most convenient method. All major German prepaid providers offer online top-up through their website or dedicated mobile app.

  1. Log in to your account on the provider's website or app (or continue as guest with your phone number).
  2. Select the top-up amount or monthly package to activate.
  3. Pay using: credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard), PayPal, SEPA direct debit, or sometimes Klarna.
  4. The credit is typically applied within a few seconds to a few minutes.
Tip
Most provider apps support Face ID / fingerprint login and save your payment method securely, making repeat top-ups very fast.

Method 2: Prepaid Vouchers (Aufladegutscheine)

Physical prepaid vouchers (also called Aufladepin or Aufladekarte) are widely available at retail locations throughout Germany. The voucher contains a 16–20 digit PIN code that is redeemed to add credit to the SIM.

Where to buy vouchers:

How to redeem a voucher:

  1. Scratch off the silver stripe on the physical voucher to reveal the PIN.
  2. Call the provider's top-up hotline (usually a free number, e.g., *100 or 0800-xxx-xxxx), follow prompts to enter the PIN.
  3. Alternatively, enter the PIN via the provider's website or app under "Guthaben aufladen" → "Aufladecode/PIN eingeben".
  4. Confirmation is typically sent via SMS.

Method 3: Supermarket and Retail Terminals

Many supermarkets and electronics stores have cash desk (Kasse) top-up services. You provide your phone number at the checkout and pay cash; the credit is applied directly to the number — no voucher involved.

Method 4: Post Offices and DHL Service Points

Deutsche Post branches and DHL Packstations/Service Points offer prepaid top-up services for major German providers (Telekom, Vodafone, o2, and associated MVNOs).

Method 5: SEPA Direct Debit (Auto-Top-Up)

Most providers offer automatic top-up (Automatische Aufladung / Selbstaufladung) via SEPA direct debit from a German bank account. Once configured, the SIM is topped up automatically when the balance falls below a defined threshold (e.g., below €5, top up to €20).

To set up auto top-up:

  1. Log in to the provider's online portal.
  2. Navigate to "Automatische Aufladung" settings.
  3. Enter your IBAN and authorise the SEPA mandate.
  4. Set the trigger threshold and top-up amount.
  5. Confirm and save. The mandate activation may take 1–2 business days.

Method 6: Bank Transfer (Überweisung)

Some providers (notably Telekom for their prepaid products) accept bank transfer (Überweisung) as a top-up method. You transfer the top-up amount to a specific provider account, using your phone number as the reference (Verwendungszweck). Processing time is typically 1–3 business days — this is the slowest method and is generally only used when other methods are unavailable.

Checking Your Balance (USSD)

Balance checks can be performed via USSD codes (short dial codes) directly from your phone's call app, without an internet connection:

ProviderBalance Check Code
Telekom / congstar*100#
Vodafone*100#
o2 / Blau*102#
1&1Provider app or website
Aldi Talk*100#

USSD codes are dialed like phone numbers and display a text result on screen within seconds. No internet connection is required.

SIM Expiry and Credit Validity

A prepaid SIM card remains active as long as certain minimum activity requirements are met. If no top-up or usage occurs within a defined period, the SIM may be deactivated and the phone number released. Typical validity periods:

Important
If you stop using a prepaid SIM, make a small top-up or send a single SMS at least once per year to prevent deactivation and loss of the phone number.