Getting a working French phone number is one of the very first things you’ll want after arriving, for deliveries, restaurant bookings, verification codes, and simply being reachable. It sounds trivial, but the French mobile market has a few quirks that catch foreigners off guard. Here’s how it actually works.

Prepaid SIM vs. monthly plan

There are two routes, and the right one depends on how long you’re staying.

A prepaid SIM (« carte prépayée ») is the easiest for short stays or your first weeks. You buy it, top it up, and there’s no contract, no French bank account, and no commitment. Orange, SFR, Bouygues, and Free all sell them, and you’ll find them at airport kiosks, phone shops (« boutiques »), and even some tabacs and supermarkets.

A monthly plan (« forfait ») is far cheaper per gigabyte and better for longer stays, but traditionally requires a French bank account (specifically a French RIB for direct debit) and sometimes proof of address. This is the chicken-and-egg problem many newcomers hit: you want a plan, but you don’t yet have the bank account that unlocks it.

The workaround most newcomers use

Start with a prepaid SIM or a no-commitment digital plan to get a number immediately, then switch to a cheaper monthly forfait once your French bank account is set up. Some operators (notably Free and the online-only offers) have lighter requirements and can be set up largely online, which helps in the first weeks.

What you’ll need

For a prepaid SIM: usually just your passport or ID. That’s it.

For a monthly forfait: a French RIB (bank details), an ID, and sometimes a proof of address less than three months old.

A word on eSIM

If your phone supports eSIM, several providers now let you activate a French or European number digitally, without a physical shop visit. It’s a genuinely good option for travelers who want to be reachable the moment they land, and for anyone who wants to keep their home SIM active alongside a French one.

Keeping your number

France has number portability: if you switch operators, you can keep your French number. You’ll need a RIO code (dial 3179 from the line you want to keep) and give it to your new provider. Worth knowing before you commit to anything.

The practical bottom line

For a trip of a few weeks: a prepaid SIM or eSIM, done in minutes with just your passport. For a real move: a prepaid SIM first to get connected, then a monthly forfait once your bank account is ready. Don’t sign a long contract on day one before you understand the market, the no-commitment offers are cheap and easy to leave.

Struggling to set up a French line, decode a contract in French, or get past a shop assistant who doesn’t speak English? We can walk you through it, or make the call for you.
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