Munich Airport SIM Card Retailer

The best is to use Google Fi service. It works globally and if you have Google's latest Pixel phones, it's an embedded SIM. The best part of Google Fi is that you pay for usage and can freeze service when you don't need it.

Thank you, but as I stated I would like to use a SIM card. If anyone has suggestions for a Munich airport retail location I would be most grateful.

I haven't been to that airport but based on my general knowledge of German chain stores if you don't pass a vending machine I would probably first try the Müller and Cee'U, then one of the two newsagents (Newspoint or Wolsdorff Tobacco), and the supermarket Edeka.

The list of all the stores at the airport is at https://www.munich-airport.com/shops-261891

Or you could ask at the information desk...

I'm just researching now, and it seems like a major hassle. They changed laws in 2017. Some sites say you need this:
"Four ways to activate SIM Cards in Germany:

• Present your ID (passport) online through a video verification process
• Go directly to a mobile (Handy) phone shop or electronics store (Saturn, MediaMarkt)
• Buy the SIM Card from Germany’s three major telco providers: O2, Vodafone, and Telekom
• Present a printed “Post Ident” document at any German post office (Again, to do this, you need your passport and a valid German address.)"

One article said you had to have a German bank account, though not sure about that.

I'm thinking of pre-ordering, if I can find the link.

I do not know the current status, but yes, shortly after I was there in 2017, so early 2018, regulations were passed to limit purchase of SIM cards for non-residents, stated as a security measure. I know it went back and forth a bit, not sure what settled out.

I used to just wait until I was in my first town, then go to the local Vodaphone store. They were good at pointing out the deals at the moment and made sure you were functional when you went out the door, or at least had submitted everything for approval and activation. Even at the time, you needed to provide a German address and a bit of a process, it was not plug and go.

This is not as common anymore but Edeka usually sells them and there are 2 in the airport. The trick will be getting it activated and working as technically you are supposed to have a German address now as I understand it. Last I heard there are no SIM shops anymore in the airport that will also activate one for you like in the old days. If you have an option to just use a temp international plan with your current carrier that might be better.

DJ

• Present your ID (passport) online through a video verification process
[...]
• Present a printed “Post Ident” document at any German post office (Again, to do this, you need your passport and a valid German address.)"

These are two mutual exclusive variants of the same process. The third and most convenient variant is: If you buy at a mobil phone shop they can do the identification for you. But I don't think they will do that at Edeka and similar stores.

One article said you had to have a German bank account, though not sure about that.

Not true. According to the FAQ of the Ministry of the Interior, as a visitor from overseas you don't need to have a German adress either. You simply have to present your passport at the shop.

Personally, I'd go to a shop run by turkish or arab people somewhere around the station and simply play the helpless guy. Unlike those styled youngsters in the [insert your favorite brand here] store, they'll do everything they can do for you.