There are four major mobile phone players in Germany: T-Mobile (operated by the former state monopoly phone provider, Deutsche Telekom), Vodafone, E-Plus and 02. All have dedicated stores with a high level of service and after-sales support. Mobile phones (‘handys’ in Berlin) are available in the latest designs, and with up-to-date technology, such as bluetooth, video telephony and i-mate.

Germany operates on a GSM network, so if you’re moving here from most countries (with the notable exception of America and most of Asia, which are on a CDMA network), your current mobile should work.

If you’d rather upgrade, dedicated mobile phone shops are located all over the city, and are a guaranteed fixture in all shopping malls and high-traffic tourist zones, such as Tauentzienstrasse.

Most mobile providers offer free phones, or will ask for only €1 if you sign a 24 month contract, but more sophisticated sets can also be bought outright and put on the plan. A two-year guarantee usually comes with the contract but it’s wise to check the time period as it can vary. A basic contract-free phone with camera will set you back around €70, while any extras, such as internet-enabled phones, start from €140. For an additional cost (from €15) you can opt to add data insurance, so that phone numbers and calendar entries can be retrieved should your mobile break.

Prepaid mobiles start at €40, calls start at 10 cents per minute and top-ups are sold at most phone shops and Tabak stores.

For broken phones no longer under warranty there are several mobile repair shops, including Handy Reparatur, who will fix most brands. A useful online option exists: fill out the online form for a quote, then send your phone without the SIM card to Handy Krankenhaus, who claim that more than 80% of phones are on their way back to you via DHL delivery within 48 hours.