Prepaid vs Postpaid SIM Cards in Austria (2026)

Q: What is the difference between prepaid and postpaid in Austria?

In Austria, prepaid SIM cards are pay-as-you-go plans with no contract, starting from EUR 4.90 per month. Postpaid (contract) plans offer more data and features but require a Meldezettel, Austrian bank account, and typically a 24-month commitment. Prepaid needs only a passport; postpaid needs proof of address and creditworthiness.

Q: Do you need a Meldezettel for a prepaid SIM in Austria?

No. Prepaid SIM cards in Austria require only a valid passport or EU national ID card for registration. A Meldezettel (address registration) is NOT required for prepaid. However, postpaid (contract) SIM cards do require a Meldezettel and an Austrian bank account for direct debit.

Q: Can you get unlimited data on prepaid in Austria?

Most prepaid plans in Austria offer 5 to 30 GB of data per month. Truly unlimited data is generally only available on postpaid (contract) plans from A1, Magenta, and Drei. However, spusu prepaid offers generous data allowances with unused data rollover, and some providers offer large 50+ GB prepaid bundles.

Q: How do you switch from prepaid to postpaid in Austria?

To switch from prepaid to postpaid in Austria, you need a Meldezettel (address registration) and an Austrian bank account. Contact your preferred provider (A1, Magenta, or Drei) to set up a contract plan. You can port your existing prepaid number to the new postpaid contract for free within 1 to 3 business days.

Q: Which is cheaper: prepaid or postpaid in Austria?

Prepaid is cheaper in Austria. The cheapest prepaid plan is spusu at EUR 4.90 per month, and HoT starts at EUR 5.90 per month. The cheapest postpaid (contract) plans start around EUR 15 to 20 per month. Prepaid also has no cancellation fees or hidden charges, making it the more affordable and transparent option.

Jules de BruinLiving in Vienna

Updated: August 3 2026| Found helpful by 23 others

Just arrived: go prepaid

Updated August 2026. Prepaid SIM cards are cheaper (from EUR 4.90 / month), contract-free, require no credit check or Meldezettel, and cap your spending. That makes prepaid the default for anyone who has just arrived and cannot yet prove an address. You can switch to a contract later and keep your number.

Already settled in Austria?

Settled: go postpaid

Postpaid contracts offer more data (up to unlimited), 5G access and subsidized phones, but require a Meldezettel, an Austrian bank account and a 24-month commitment. Worth it once you are settled and need heavy data.

Just visiting Austria?

You do not need an Austrian SIM. A travel eSIM like Airalo activates in minutes with no Austrian ID. See our best eSIM for Austria guide or get an Airalo eSIM.

Which Austrian Providers Offer the Best Prepaid Plans?

1. HoT (Hofer Telekom)

4.5

Best for New Arrivals. Cheapest reliable prepaid SIM available at any Hofer checkout, with same-day activation and no Meldezettel required.

Get HoT Prepaid

Monthly price: From EUR 5.90
Data: 10 GB entry plan
Network Network The operator whose masts you actually use. Budget brands are MVNOs: HoT rides on Magenta, spusu on Drei, so coverage matches the host, not the brand.: Magenta (host)
Contract Contract Whether you are tied in. Prepaid ends whenever you stop topping up; a 24-month contract carries an early-exit fee and usually a subsidised handset.: None, cancel anytime

More details

Coverage Coverage How much of Austria gets a usable signal. It follows the host network, so check the operator behind the brand before buying for a rural address.: Strong urban via Magenta
5G: No, 4G only
English support: No, German only
Where to buy: Any Hofer supermarket

Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.

Pros

Sold at every Hofer supermarket, easy to buy
Same-day activation, passport only, no Meldezettel
Excellent Magenta urban coverage and signal

Cons

German-only customer support
No 5G access, 4G only

Best for People who just arrived and need affordable, instant connectivity

2. spusu

4.4

Best Value. Cheapest prepaid plan in Austria with rare data rollover feature, no contract, and transparent fees.

Get spusu Prepaid

Monthly priceBest: From EUR 4.90
Data: 1 GB to 30 GB
Network Network The operator whose masts you actually use. Budget brands are MVNOs: HoT rides on Magenta, spusu on Drei, so coverage matches the host, not the brand.: Drei (host)
Contract Contract Whether you are tied in. Prepaid ends whenever you stop topping up; a 24-month contract carries an early-exit fee and usually a subsidised handset.: None, cancel anytime

More details

Rollover Rollover Whether unused data carries into next month instead of expiring. Worth more than a slightly bigger allowance if your usage swings month to month.: Yes, unused data
Coverage Coverage How much of Austria gets a usable signal. It follows the host network, so check the operator behind the brand before buying for a rural address.: Weaker rural than A1
English support: No, German only
Where to buy: Online only

Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.

Pros

Cheapest prepaid, best value per gigabyte
Unused data rolls over each month
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees

Cons

Drei network: weaker in rural/Alpine areas than A1
German-only support

Best for Budget-conscious people who want maximum data per euro

3. A1 Prepaid

4.2

Best Coverage. Most reliable network coverage in Austria with English customer support and 5G access on some prepaid tiers.

Get A1 Prepaid

Monthly price: From EUR 9.90
DataBest: 50 GB entry plan
Network Network The operator whose masts you actually use. Budget brands are MVNOs: HoT rides on Magenta, spusu on Drei, so coverage matches the host, not the brand. Best: A1 (own network)
Contract Contract Whether you are tied in. Prepaid ends whenever you stop topping up; a 24-month contract carries an early-exit fee and usually a subsidised handset.: None, prepaid

More details

Coverage Coverage How much of Austria gets a usable signal. It follows the host network, so check the operator behind the brand before buying for a rural address.: 98% 4G, 75% 5G
English support: Yes
5G: On some prepaid tiers
Top-up: Can expire if unused

Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.

Pros

Best coverage in Austria: 98% 4G, 75% 5G
Reliable in rural and Alpine regions
English customer support available

Cons

Pricier than the budget MVNOs
Top-up can expire if not used

Best for Residents in rural areas who need the most reliable coverage

4. bob

4.0

Best Budget on A1. Cheapest way to get A1 network coverage without paying A1 prices, ideal for rural residents on a budget.

Get bob Prepaid

Monthly price: From EUR 7.90
Data: 8 GB entry plan
Network Network The operator whose masts you actually use. Budget brands are MVNOs: HoT rides on Magenta, spusu on Drei, so coverage matches the host, not the brand.: A1 (host)
Contract Contract Whether you are tied in. Prepaid ends whenever you stop topping up; a 24-month contract carries an early-exit fee and usually a subsidised handset.: None, cancel anytime

More details

Coverage Coverage How much of Austria gets a usable signal. It follows the host network, so check the operator behind the brand before buying for a rural address.: A1 coverage, lower price
5G: No
Plan structure: Simplified, no frills

Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.

Pros

A1 network coverage at a lower price
Simplified, no-frills plan structure
Cheapest route to A1-network reliability

Cons

No 5G access
Less data than direct A1 plans

Best for Budget users who want A1 network reliability at lower cost

5. LIDL Connect

3.9

Best at Supermarket. Cheapest prepaid SIM at any Lidl supermarket, perfect for light users who shop there anyway.

Get LIDL Connect

Monthly price: From EUR 4.99
Data: Light-user data packs
Network Network The operator whose masts you actually use. Budget brands are MVNOs: HoT rides on Magenta, spusu on Drei, so coverage matches the host, not the brand.: Drei (host)
Contract Contract Whether you are tied in. Prepaid ends whenever you stop topping up; a 24-month contract carries an early-exit fee and usually a subsidised handset.: None, no commitment

More details

Coverage Coverage How much of Austria gets a usable signal. It follows the host network, so check the operator behind the brand before buying for a rural address.: Weaker rural via Drei
Credit check: None, passport only
Plan options: Limited
Where to buy: Lidl supermarket checkouts

Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.

Pros

Sold at Lidl supermarket checkouts
Simple, no-frills plans for light users
No credit check, passport only

Cons

Drei network: weaker rural coverage
Limited plan options

Best for Light users who shop at Lidl and want simple, cheap mobile

Based on pricing, network coverage, ease of activation for new arrivals, and overall value, here are the top 5 prepaid providers in Austria as of April 2026.

What Is the Difference Between Prepaid and Postpaid SIM Cards in Austria?

The core difference is simple: prepaid means you pay before you use (top up credit or buy a monthly bundle), while postpaid means you pay after you use (monthly bill via direct debit from your bank account). In Austria, this distinction determines what documents you need, how much flexibility you have, and how much you pay.

Austria's telecom market is regulated by the RTR (Rundfunk und Telekom Regulierungs-GmbH). Since 2019, all SIM cards (both prepaid and postpaid) must be registered with a valid ID document. EU roaming is included on all plans at no extra charge. See our Austrian telecom overview for the full market structure.

Austrian SIM or travel eSIM: two ways to get online.

How Do Prepaid SIM Cards Work in Austria?

Prepaid SIM cards in Austria are the easiest way to get connected. You buy a SIM at a supermarket (Hofer, Spar, Lidl), electronics store, or provider shop, register it with your passport, and activate it online. No Meldezettel, no bank account, no credit check, no contract.

Documents needed: Passport or EU national ID only
Commitment: None , cancel or stop topping up anytime
Spending control: You can only spend what you have loaded , no surprise bills
Price range: EUR 4.90 – 20/month depending on data
Activation: Same day , buy and use immediately

Best for people who just arrived

Prepaid is the recommended first step for all residents arriving in Austria. Get a HoT SIM at Hofer or a spusu SIM on day one while you sort out your Meldezettel and bank account. See our full SIM card guide for detailed provider comparisons.

How Do Postpaid (Contract) SIM Cards Work in Austria?

Postpaid plans (Vertrag) in Austria are monthly contracts where you receive a bill at the end of each month, paid via direct debit (Lastschrift) from your Austrian bank account. These plans offer more data, 5G access, and sometimes a subsidized phone, but come with obligations.

Documents needed: Passport + Meldezettel + Austrian bank account
Commitment: Typically 24 months (auto-renews if not cancelled)
Cancellation: Must cancel in writing before contract end; early exit fees apply
Price range: EUR 15 – 60/month depending on data and phone subsidy
Activation: 1–3 business days (credit check + setup)

Watch out for auto-renewal

Austrian postpaid contracts auto-renew (Vertragsverlängerung) if you do not cancel in writing before the minimum term ends. Set a calendar reminder 3 months before your contract expires. The Arbeiterkammer offers free advice on contract disputes.

How Do Prepaid and Postpaid Plans Compare on Price, Data, and Features?

Feature	Prepaid	Postpaid (Contract)
Monthly cost	EUR 4.90 – 20	EUR 15 – 60
Contract length	None , cancel anytime	24 months typical
ID required	Passport only	Passport + Meldezettel
Bank account needed	No	Yes (direct debit)
Credit check	No	Yes (KSV1870)
Data allowance	5 – 30 GB/month	15 GB – unlimited
5G access	Rarely (4G mostly)	Yes (A1, Magenta, Drei)
Phone subsidy	No	Yes (with 24-month contract)
Cancellation fees	None	Yes (remaining months owed)
EU roaming	Included	Included
Best for	New arrivals, budget users, short-term stays	Settled residents, heavy data users, phone upgraders

Prices as of April 2026. All plans include EU roaming. See our cost of living guide for how mobile costs fit into your monthly budget.

Budget to premium: what telecom costs in Austria.

How Do 30-Day and Monthly Billing Differ in Austria?

Many Austrian prepaid packs bill every 30 days, not per calendar month, so you pay about 13 times a year, not 12. A 30-day pack at EUR 9.90 costs roughly EUR 120.45 per year, which is about EUR 10.04 per month normalised, slightly more than a EUR 9.90 per month postpaid plan at EUR 118.80 per year. Always compare the normalised monthly equivalent, not the headline price.

Billing unit	Charges per year	EUR 9.90 example/year	Normalised monthly
Every 30 days	~13	EUR 120.45	~EUR 10.04
Per calendar month	12	EUR 118.80	EUR 9.90

Always normalise before comparing

Convert 30-day prepaid packs to a monthly equivalent before comparing them to postpaid plans. Divide the annual cost by 12, not by the number of billing cycles.

When Should Residents Switch From Prepaid to Postpaid?

Most residents should start with prepaid and consider switching to postpaid only after meeting all of these conditions:

1
You have a Meldezettel
Required for all postpaid contracts. See our Vienna registration guide.
2
You have an Austrian bank account
Postpaid bills are paid via direct debit (Lastschrift). See how to open a bank account.
3
You plan to stay at least 2 years
Contracts are typically 24 months. If you might leave Austria sooner, prepaid avoids early termination fees.
4
You need more than 30 GB/month or a new phone
Postpaid offers unlimited data and subsidized phones. If prepaid data is enough, there is no reason to switch.

Number portability is free

You can port your prepaid phone number to a new postpaid contract for free. The process takes 1–3 business days. Your Austrian phone number is tied to ID Austria, banking, and other services , always keep it when switching.

Day one online: a newcomer's telecom setup.

Prepaid vs Postpaid in Austria: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between prepaid and postpaid in Austria?

Prepaid SIM cards in Austria are pay-as-you-go plans starting from EUR 4.90/month with no contract. Postpaid plans offer more data but require a Meldezettel, Austrian bank account, and 24-month commitment. Prepaid needs only a passport; postpaid needs proof of address.

Do you need a Meldezettel for a prepaid SIM in Austria?

No. Prepaid SIM cards in Austria require only a passport or EU national ID. A Meldezettel is NOT required for prepaid. However, postpaid (contract) SIMs do require a Meldezettel and bank account.

Can you get unlimited data on prepaid in Austria?

Most prepaid plans offer 5–30 GB. Truly unlimited data is generally only available on postpaid contracts. However, spusu prepaid rolls over unused data, and some providers offer large 50+ GB bundles.

How do you switch from prepaid to postpaid in Austria?

Get a Meldezettel and Austrian bank account first. Then contact your preferred provider to set up a contract. You can port your prepaid number to postpaid for free within 1–3 business days.

Which is cheaper: prepaid or postpaid in Austria?

Prepaid is cheaper. spusu starts at EUR 4.90/month and HoT at EUR 5.90/month. The cheapest postpaid plans start around EUR 15–20/month. Prepaid also has no cancellation fees or hidden charges.