What Is the Cheapest SIM Card in Austria? (2026)

Top 5 Prepaid SIM Plans at a Glance (2026)

Sources: HoT, Lidl Connect, spusu, A1, Magenta provider websites. Updated: July 16 2026.

What Are the Top 5 Cheapest Mobile Plans in Austria?

Sources: Provider websites, RTR. Updated: July 16 2026.

What Are the Best High-Data Prepaid SIM Packages in Austria?

Sources: Lidl Connect, A1, HoT, Magenta, spusu provider websites. Updated: July 16 2026.

Should You Get an Austrian SIM or a Travel eSIM?

If you live in Austria, an Austrian SIM or contract wins on a local Austrian number, cheaper large-data plans (around 100 GB for under EUR 10), and easier registration for banking and contracts. If you are only visiting for days or weeks, a travel eSIM activates instantly with no Austrian ID and no shop visit.

For stays under about one month or pure tourism, use a travel eSIM like Airalo (instant, no paperwork). For moving or long-term stays, get an Austrian SIM once you can register. Many residents do both: a travel eSIM on day one, then an Austrian SIM after arrival. See our best mobile network guide to compare coverage before you choose.

Should You Get a Prepaid or Contract SIM in Austria?

What Are the SIM Card Registration Requirements in Austria?

Since 2019, every SIM card sold in Austria must be registered with a valid photo ID, a requirement set by the RTR (Austrian telecom regulator) to combat SIM-card fraud. You need your passport or an EU national ID card at the point of sale; a driver's license alone is not accepted. The rule applies equally to prepaid and contract SIM cards, so there is no way to buy an anonymous, unregistered SIM in Austria.

Registration happens differently depending on where you buy. Supermarket SIMs (Hofer, Spar) usually require online registration within a set window after purchase, done through the provider's website or app by photographing your ID. Provider-run shops (A1, Magenta, Drei stores) instead handle in-store activation on the spot, so the SIM is live before you leave. If you skip registration by the deadline, the network operator can suspend the number until you complete it, so register on the same day you buy the SIM. Unlike prepaid SIMs in some countries, no Austrian SIM can be bought anonymously: the same photo-ID rule applies to prepaid and contract cards alike.

Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Austria?

You can buy a prepaid SIM (Wertkarte = prepaid SIM) at a Trafik (a licensed tobacconist and press kiosk, on almost every street corner), at supermarket checkouts, at electronics chains, at operator stores, and online from each provider. The cheapest route is the supermarket: Hofer sells HoT, Lidl sells Lidl Connect, and Spar, Billa, and Penny stock A1, Magenta, and Drei starter SIMs (2026).

For hands-on help, go to an A1, Magenta, or Drei store, where staff activate the SIM on the spot and A1 shops offer English-language support. MediaMarkt and Hartlauer also sell every network's SIM. Vienna and Salzburg airports sell SIMs on arrival, but prices there run higher than in town, so buy an airport SIM only if you need data the moment you land, or use a travel eSIM instead. Whatever you buy, bring your passport: no Austrian SIM works until it is registered against a valid photo ID.

How Do Austrian SIM Card Providers Compare?

What Tips Should Residents Know When Choosing a SIM Card?

• If you travel frequently within the EU, all Austrian plans include EU roaming at no extra charge under the EU roam-like-at-home rules. Check the roaming data allowance, as it may be lower than your domestic allowance.
• HoT SIM cards are available at every Hofer supermarket checkout, making them the easiest option for day-one connectivity.
• If you live in a mountainous region or commute through rural areas, A1 has the most reliable coverage. Budget MVNOs on the A1 network (bob, yesss!) offer a cheaper alternative with the same coverage. You can also bundle with an A1 home internet plan for additional savings.
• Keep your Austrian phone number, as it is tied to many services (bank, digital ID). Porting your number between providers is free and takes 1 to 3 business days.

Which Austrian Mobile Network Has the Best Coverage?

Source: RTR coverage reports, April 2026.

How Do You Switch to a Cheaper Mobile Plan in Austria?

Switching providers in Austria is straightforward. Number portability (Rufnummernmitnahme) is free by law and handled by your new provider, under rules set by the RTR, the Austrian telecom regulator. The entire process typically takes 1 to 3 business days. Unlike cancelling first and signing up later, porting keeps your number and auto-ends the old contract, so there is no coverage gap.

1. Step 1: Check your current contract end date. Log in to your provider account or call customer service. Prepaid users can switch immediately. Contract users must wait for their minimum term to end, or pay an early termination fee.
2. Step 2: Request number portability with your new provider. When you sign up with the new provider, select the option to keep your existing number. This is free and required by the RTR.
3. Step 3: Buy your new SIM or order online. Prepaid SIMs are available at supermarkets (Hofer, Spar), electronics stores, or directly from provider websites.
4. Step 4: Activate with your passport. All SIM cards in Austria require identity verification. Bring your passport or EU national ID card.
5. Step 5: Your old contract auto-cancels. Once number portability completes, your previous provider automatically ends your service. No separate Kuendigung (cancellation letter) is needed when porting.

Important cancellation rule: Austrian mobile contracts auto-renew after the minimum term, but switch to a monthly rolling basis. After the initial 24 months, you can cancel with one month notice at any time. Send your Kuendigung (cancellation) in writing, either by email or registered letter.

Frequently Asked Questions About Austrian SIM Cards