IoT connectivity in Germany
Updated
In Germany, permanent roaming of foreign IoT SIMs is allowed with conditions. Of the 3 mobile operators we track there, 0 have switched off 2G and 3 3G, as of 26 October 2026. Sources are listed below each table.
Permanent roaming
Allowed with conditions. A regulatory survey reports that Germany permits permanent roaming only for services meeting the legal definition of M2M communications, excluding general public internet access.
Sources: cullen-international.com. Confidence: low.
2G and 3G shutdowns by operator
| Operator | Network | Status | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O2 Telefónica (Telefónica Germany) | 2G | Planned | December 2028 | bundesnetzagentur.de, macerkopf.de Announced June 2026: 2G off in the second half of 2028 / by end of 2028. No exact day published. 1&1 (4G/5G network) has no own 2G/3G and uses national roaming. |
| O2 Telefónica (Telefónica Germany) | 3G | Switched off | 30 December 2021 | teltarif.de, bundesnetzagentur.de Regional phase-out during 2021; most sites off by mid-Nov 2021, last 3G transmitters switched off on 30 Dec 2021. Bundesnetzagentur confirms 3G off in 2021. |
| Telekom Deutschland | 2G | Planned | 30 June 2028 | telekom.com, bundesnetzagentur.de Telekom expects to switch its GSM network off completely around 30 June 2028 (announced Oct 2024); the Bundesnetzagentur repeats the date. Spectrum reused for 4G/5G. |
| Telekom Deutschland | 3G | Switched off | 30 June 2021 | winfuture.de, bundesnetzagentur.de 3G antennas switched off in the night of 30 Jun to 1 Jul 2021. The Bundesnetzagentur confirms all German 3G networks were switched off in 2021. |
| Vodafone Germany | 2G | Planned | September 2028 | bundesnetzagentur.de, heise.de 2G for residential and business customers ends by end of September 2028. For particularly critical IoT applications (e.g. eCall) 2G stays on until end of 2030, infrastructure removal from Jan 2031. Date brought forward: Oct 2024 plan was a gradual switch-off by end-2030. |
| Vodafone Germany | 3G | Switched off | 2021 | teltarif.de, bundesnetzagentur.de Switch-off began 30 Jun 2021 and ran in several waves until late summer 2021 (teltarif). Bundesnetzagentur confirms 3G networks were switched off in 2021. |
What it means for IoT devices in Germany
- 2G still runs on some networks, but plan new devices on 4G-based technologies (LTE Cat-1bis, LTE-M or NB-IoT where available): 2G is being closed across the region.
- 3G is already gone on 3 networks: devices that fall back to 3G will lose service there.
- Private delivery works the same from Germany: device data reaches your cloud over private links. See private delivery.
Other countries in Europe
Full tables: permanent roaming rules by country and 2G and 3G shutdown dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is permanent roaming allowed for IoT SIMs in Germany?
A regulatory survey reports that Germany permits permanent roaming only for services meeting the legal definition of M2M communications, excluding general public internet access.
When is 2G switched off in Germany?
Status by operator, as of 26 October 2026. O2 Telefónica (Telefónica Germany): planned for 2028-12; Telekom Deutschland: planned for 2028-06-30; Vodafone Germany: planned for 2028-09.
When is 3G switched off in Germany?
Status by operator, as of 26 October 2026. O2 Telefónica (Telefónica Germany): switched off (2021-12-30); Telekom Deutschland: switched off (2021-06-30); Vodafone Germany: switched off (2021).