Mobile phone in Germany for people from Ukraine
Keeping your Ukrainian number, getting a German SIM card, calling Ukraine cheaply: what applies since Ukraine joined EU roaming in 2026.
All prices in this guide come from our comparison of 274 German mobile tariffs and are average prices per month over 24 months, one-time costs included. As of .
The key points
- Since 1 January 2026 Ukraine has been part of the EU roaming area: Ukrainian SIM cards work in Germany at domestic prices, and German ones in Ukraine.
- Keeping your Ukrainian number is worth it for text messages from banks and authorities. With dual SIM or an eSIM you have both numbers on one phone.
- For living in Germany a German SIM card is usually cheaper and is often asked for by authorities, banks and employers.
- Calls to Ukraine are cheapest over messengers; for calls to phone numbers there are tariffs with international minutes.
Your Ukrainian SIM card in Germany
Since the start of 2026 the EU’s “roam like at home” rules apply to Ukraine: with a Ukrainian SIM card you call and surf in Germany on the terms of your home tariff. Roaming is meant for travel, though. If you live here permanently and mainly use the card in Germany, expect limits or surcharges; your Ukrainian operator sets the rules for this.
Getting a German SIM card
You need a valid passport, another recognised photo ID or your German residence permit. Starter packs are sold in supermarkets and online; you activate them by Video-Ident, Postident or in a shop (ID check for a German SIM card). Prepaid needs no German bank account (mobile plan without a German bank account).
| Data | Prepaid | Monthly cancellable (invoice) |
|---|---|---|
| from 5 GB | Lyca Mobile Lyca Easy XS 5 GB / 4 weeks, Ø €5.41 |
Lebara Allnet 20 GB Flex 20 GB, Ø €5.82 |
| from 10 GB | Lyca Mobile Lyca Flat 20 GB / 4 weeks, Ø €6.49 |
Lebara Allnet 20 GB Flex 20 GB, Ø €5.82 |
| from 20 GB | Lyca Mobile Lyca Flat 20 GB / 4 weeks, Ø €6.49 |
Lebara Allnet 20 GB Flex 20 GB, Ø €5.82 |
| from 50 GB | Lyca Mobile Lyca Extra 60 GB / 4 weeks, Ø €9.74 |
Lebara Allnet 50 GB Flex 50 GB, Ø €9.82 |
Calling Ukraine cheaply
Calls from Germany to Ukraine are international calls and not part of the usual German allnet flat rates. Cheapest are calls over Viber, Telegram, WhatsApp or Signal: they only use data, and a tariff with 10 GB or more lasts for many hours of calls. To call Ukrainian landline or mobile numbers, choose a tariff with international minutes. These brands specialise in it:
| Brand | Network | Tariffs | Cheapest tariff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyca Mobile | o2 network | 15 | Lyca Mobile Global Connect XS 5 GB, Ø €3.50 |
| Lebara | o2 network | 24 | Lebara Allnet 20 GB 20 GB, Ø €5.20 |
| Ortel Mobile | o2 network | 14 | Ortel Mobile Smart World XS 3 GB / 4 weeks, Ø €5.41 |
| AY YILDIZ | o2 network | 12 | AY YILDIZ Internet Flat S+ 4 GB / 4 weeks, Ø €5.41 |
Which countries a package covers and what a minute costs without one is on the provider’s page. Check there whether Ukraine is included.
Travelling to Ukraine with a German SIM card
Since 2026, German tariffs with EU roaming also work in Ukraine at domestic prices. Whether your provider already lists Ukraine among its roaming countries is on its website or in its app; if in doubt, ask before you travel.
Quick answers
Can I use my Ukrainian SIM card in Germany?
Yes. Since 1 January 2026, Ukraine has been part of the EU roaming area: Ukrainian SIM cards work in Germany at the prices of your home tariff. Roaming is meant for travel, though; if you live here permanently, a German tariff is usually cheaper.
Which documents do I need for a German SIM card?
A valid passport, another recognised photo ID or your German residence permit. With it you activate the card by Video-Ident, Postident or in a shop.
Which providers include minutes to Ukraine?
Tariffs with minutes to other countries come mainly from Lyca Mobile, Lebara, Ortel Mobile, AY YILDIZ. The cheapest of them with at least 5 GB today is Lyca Mobile Global Connect XS at an average of €3.50 a month.
What is the cheapest way to call Ukraine from Germany?
Through messengers such as Viber, Telegram, WhatsApp or Signal: they only use data. For calls to Ukrainian phone numbers, a tariff with international minutes, for example from Lyca, Lebara or Ortel, is worth it; check on the provider’s page whether Ukraine is included.