Vodafone Germany CallYa
eSIMFree-to-apply German eSIM (passport AutoID) — €20/year keep-alive, EU number
Best for: Verification-code receivers: a free EU (+49) number that costs ~€20/year and never needs to make a call.
Overview
Vodafone Germany's CallYa prepaid eSIM is free to apply for: fill a German address on the official page, verify email, then complete passport KYC via the POSTIDENT app (AutoID video self-check, ~3-4h review). No bank card or IBAN binding required — rare in Europe. Keep-alive: any balance change per 90 days (€5 manual top-up works, PayPal/card), about €20/year. In mainland China, receiving SMS is free; calls and data are prohibitively priced.
German CallYa is currently the only 'zero-cost application + ultra-low keep-alive' eSIM left in the European market, per the 2026-01 source review: most European operators now demand payment-method verification, monthly fees or steep activation charges (the earlier Ireland eSIM route has expired).
Application: open the CallYa Classic form on vodafone.de, choose eSIM, enter a German address (Google Maps), verify email, create a password — then passport KYC via POSTIDENT: install the app, scan the on-screen QR, follow prompts (AutoID selfie video). Review took the reviewer ~4 hours plus one re-verification before the confirmation email arrived; ~20 minutes later another email with the eSIM QR (password-protected; includes number and PIN).
Activation on native-eSIM phones scans that QR directly; others use blank eSIM chips via EasyEUICC (Android; iOS first-write needs an Android device or PC).
Keep-alive: any account balance change per 90 days — manual €5 top-ups via MeinVodafone app or the website (PayPal or credit card; third-party top-up services also work) put the year at ~€20, and if a balance already sits in the account, occasional small consumption alone can keep it alive for less.
China roaming rates: receiving SMS free; sending SMS to mainland €0.84/message; calls €4.32/min out, €0.96/min in; data €0.58/50KB (≈€11.6/MB) — effectively data- and call-unusable; check balance free via *100#. In Germany/EU: €0.09/min calls, free incoming, €0.03/MB data — get a data pass in-app for real usage.
Caveats: a German IP during application improves pass rates; the address need not be your own (any real address works); passport KYC means an identity document is on file with the carrier — weigh privacy accordingly; and POSTIDENT review times vary.
Popular plans
| Plan | Data from | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CallYa Classic (prepaid) | Pay per use (€0.03/MB in DE/EU) | 90 days per balance change | Free to apply; ~€20/year keep-alive |
Rates per Vodafone DE official pages as reviewed 2026-01. China roaming: SMS in free; SMS out €0.84; calls €4.32/min; data ≈€11.6/MB — do not use for data.
Pros
- Zero application cost — the last such route in Europe per the source review
- No bank card, IBAN or EU residency needed; passport AutoID only
- EU German +49 number useful for registrations
- Keep-alive as low as ~€20/year (less with existing balance)
Things to note
- Passport KYC — identity document on file with the carrier
- POSTIDENT review took ~4h in testing and needed a re-verification
- China roaming data ≈€11.6/MB and calls €4.32/min — unusable
- German address + German IP recommended for pass rates
- €0.84 SMS to mainland China adds up for 2FA-heavy users
Key features
- Free application — no card or IBAN binding at signup
- Passport KYC via POSTIDENT AutoID video (~3-4h review)
- Keep-alive: €5 top-up per 90 days (~€20/year), PayPal/card
- Free SMS receiving in China roaming; *100# balance check free