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.

The five best prepaid SIM plans (Wertkarten = prepaid SIMs) to buy in Austria are HoT fix, Lidl Connect Tarif L, spusu 80, A1 B.free 50, and Magenta Klax M. The best overall pick is HoT fix at EUR 9.90 per 30 days for 60 GB on the Magenta network (HoT, 2026). For pure volume, Lidl Connect Tarif L gives the most data at 100 GB for EUR 9.50 (Lidl Connect, 2026), while A1 B.free 50 is the pick for best coverage at EUR 9.90 per 4 weeks (A1, 2026).

For the full breakdown, see the cheapest plans, the high-data prepaid packages, and how providers compare further down this page, plus our SIM provider reviews and price research.

What Are the Top 5 Cheapest Mobile Plans in Austria?

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

spusu at EUR 4.90 per month is the cheapest mobile plan in Austria, giving 2 GB of data plus 100 minutes and 100 SMS on the Drei network. HoT ranks second at EUR 5.90 per month with 5 GB of data and unlimited calls on the Magenta network. Two A1-network sub-brands, yesss! and bob, both charge EUR 7.90 per month for 8 GB with unlimited calls. Drei's own basic plan costs EUR 8.00 per month for 10 GB, the most data of the five.

All five plans are prepaid, contract-free options, so you can cancel or switch at any time without an early termination fee. The three cheapest (spusu, HoT, yesss!/bob) are all MVNOs, meaning they resell capacity on one of Austria's three physical networks rather than owning infrastructure, which is how they undercut the network operators' own basic plans on price.

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

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

Lidl Connect Tarif L is the best-value high-data prepaid SIM at EUR 9.50 per 30 days for 100 GB on the Drei network (Lidl Connect, 2026), sold at every Lidl checkout. A1 B.free 50 gives 30 GB plus 2,000 minutes and 2,000 SMS for EUR 9.90 per 4 weeks on the A1 network (A1, 2026), and HoT fix gives 60 GB for EUR 9.90 per 30 days on the Magenta network (HoT, 2026). All include EU roaming.

These prepaid packages (Wertkarte = prepaid SIM) are the sweet spot for expats and visitors who want lots of data without a contract or a credit check. They renew every 4 weeks or 30 days by auto-topping-up your credit, and you can stop any time. Watch the EU-roaming cap: the roaming allowance is always lower than your domestic data, so HoT fix gives 60 GB at home but only 15 GB in the EU (HoT, 2026), and Magenta Klax M gives 60 GB at home but 20 GB in the EU (Magenta, 2026). For heavy roaming, check the EU column below before you buy.

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 expats 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?

As an expat just arriving in Austria, a prepaid SIM is usually the best starting point. Prepaid plans do not require a credit check, an Austrian bank account, or a long-term commitment. Check our cost of living guide to see how mobile costs fit your budget. You can buy prepaid SIM cards at supermarkets (Hofer, Spar), electronics stores (MediaMarkt, Hartlauer), or directly at provider shops.

Once you are settled with a Meldezettel (see our Vienna registration guide) and bank account, you may consider switching to a contract plan (Vertrag) for better value. Contracts typically run 24 months and offer more data, included EU roaming, and sometimes a subsidized phone. Be aware that Austrian contracts auto-renew, so you need to cancel (kuendigen) in writing before the end of the minimum term.

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.

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?

Six brands cover Austria's SIM card market on three physical networks. spusu (Drei network) is the cheapest at 4.90 EUR/month and best value per gigabyte. HoT (Magenta network) follows at 5.90 EUR/month and is the easiest to buy, sold at every Hofer supermarket. A1 and Magenta run their own networks at 9.90 EUR/month each, priced higher but backed by the strongest coverage and, for Magenta, bundle discounts with home internet. Drei undercuts both at 8.00 EUR/month with the most generous data, and its budget sub-brand bob matches yesss! at 7.90 EUR/month on the A1 network.

The pattern holds across the market: MVNOs undercut the network they run on, so a budget sub-brand always costs less than the parent operator's own basic plan for comparable data. Choose the network first based on coverage where you live, then pick the cheapest brand on that network.

What Tips Should Expats Know When Choosing a SIM Card?

• If you travel frequently within the EU, all Austrian plans include EU roaming at no extra charge (under EU regulations). 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.

Austria has three physical mobile networks. All MVNOs (HoT, spusu, bob, yesss!) run on one of these three networks, so coverage depends on which network your provider uses.

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. The entire process typically takes 1 to 3 business days.

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. 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. Buy your new SIM or order online. Prepaid SIMs are available at supermarkets (Hofer, Spar), electronics stores, or directly from provider websites.
4. Activate with your passport. All SIM cards in Austria require identity verification. Bring your passport or EU national ID card.
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