City in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Internet in Cologne: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in Cologne?
Median fixed broadband in Germany is 104 Mbps and mobile is 76 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-05). Café wifi varies and some cafés limit laptops; coworking is fast and reliable.
Getting online in Cologne
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | Fibre and cable from Telekom, Vodafone and NetCologne; 100–1000 Mbps for about €35–55 a month on 12–24 month contracts. |
| Cafés and coworking | Café wifi varies and some cafés limit laptops; coworking is fast and reliable. |
| Tourist SIM | Carrier shops, drugstores or supermarkets (Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect); ID check by video or in store required. About €10–20 per four weeks. |
| eSIM | Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors. |
| Carriers | Telekom, Vodafone, O2 |
| Monthly data plan | €10–25 ($11–28) |
Coworking spaces in Cologne
Spaces we checked are open in 2026. Prices change; confirm on their sites.
| Space | Area | Day pass |
|---|---|---|
| Startplatz | Mediapark, Neustadt-Nord | — |
| Design Offices | Central Cologne | — |
Internet speeds in Europe
National medians, Speedtest Global Index.
| Country | Fixed | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| France | 332 Mbps | 133 Mbps |
| Iceland | 283 Mbps | — |
| Switzerland | 281 Mbps | 120 Mbps |
| Denmark | 278 Mbps | 161 Mbps |
| Romania | 276 Mbps | 83 Mbps |
| Hungary | 271 Mbps | 94 Mbps |
| Spain | 263 Mbps | 84 Mbps |
| Portugal | 252 Mbps | 128 Mbps |
| Andorra | 244 Mbps | — |
| Netherlands | 226 Mbps | 158 Mbps |
| Luxembourg | 221 Mbps | 173 Mbps |
| Poland | 215 Mbps | 109 Mbps |
Quick answers
Is the internet fast in Cologne?
Median fixed broadband in Germany is 104 Mbps and mobile is 76 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-05). Café wifi varies and some cafés limit laptops; coworking is fast and reliable.
Which SIM card should I get in Cologne?
Carrier shops, drugstores or supermarkets (Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect); ID check by video or in store required. About €10–20 per four weeks.
Can I use an eSIM in Germany?
Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.
Are there coworking spaces in Cologne?
Yes: Startplatz, Design Offices.
More about Cologne
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Sources
- Speedtest Global Index: Germany
- Telekom
- Vodafone
- O2
- KVB Cologne transport
- Cologne Bonn Airport
- Cologne tourism
Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.