Mobile Plans in France (2025) for Expats: eSIM, RIO, EU Roaming, Orange/Free, MVNOs—A Practical Guide

Situation. You need a French number fast for banking, doctor bookings (Doctolib), and government logins (CAF/Ameli).

Expect. Too many plans, strange acronyms (eSIM, RIO, fair use), some shops asking for a French IBAN.

Prepare. Passport, any address, a card/IBAN, 15 minutes.

Key. Start with a no-contract eSIM, then switch once you know which network covers your area.

A. Instant eSIM (online)

• With RED (SFR), B&You (Bouygues), or Sosh (Orange). 100% digital, activation in minutes. Great to test coverage before committing.

B. Prepaid SIM (Lebara, Lycamobile, Orange Holiday)

• Buy at kiosks/tabacs/supermarkets or airports.
• Minimal paperwork; top-up as needed.
• Good for the first 2–3 weeks.

C. No-contract monthly plan

• Most “special series” offers (RED/B&You/Sosh) have no minimum term.
• Pay by card/IBAN, manage in-app.
• Tip: keep your number when switching by requesting the RIO code (see §3).

MVNOs (budget brands): Sosh (Orange), RED (SFR), and B&You (Bouygues) use the same networks as their parent operators, with lower prices and online self-service.

Porting is easy in France.

• Dial 3179 from your current line → you receive your RIO code.
• Give this code to your new provider during signup → your number is ported automatically, with only a few minutes of downtime.
• Bonus: the new provider cancels your old plan for you.

• eSIM: instant activation; ideal if you need a French number alongside your home-country SIM.
• Dual-SIM: best for separating personal/work or home/host-country lines.
• Physical SIM: useful for older phones or if you swap devices often.

Across the EU you can use your plan almost like at home. But:

• Providers apply a roaming data cap (e.g., on a 150-GB plan, 25–30 GB usable in the EU).
• Beyond that, data is throttled or surcharged.
• Outside the EU/EEA (Switzerland, UK depending on operator), check zones and enable a spend cap.

France–Switzerland commuters: Free and Bouygues sometimes offer Switzerland add-ons. Also check Salt/Sunrise on the CH side if you cross daily.

• Passport (or residence permit if you have it).
• Address (lease, host statement, hotel/coliving usually accepted).
• Payment: card or IBAN (FR or EU). Fintechs like Wise and Revolut are usually accepted by MVNOs; in physical shops, a French RIB can still be preferred.

See also: Best Banks for Expats in Europe (2025).

Related: Finding a Doctor/Dentist Abroad · End of Free Social Security for Foreigners.

Prepaid if: short stay, instant need, tight budget, lots of international calling.

No-contract plan if: staying ≥ 3 months, heavy data use, want to keep the same number.

Indicative 2025 pricing:

• Prepaid: €5–20 (voice/SMS + 5–15 GB).
• No-contract: €9–20 (40–150 GB, sometimes 5G).
• Premium 5G: €20–35 (big data + wider roaming).

While waiting for fiber/ADSL or in temporary housing:

• 4G/5G boxes (Bouygues, SFR, Free) with large data caps.
• Tethering from your phone (watch fair use).
• International eSIM hotspot if you’re constantly on the move.

1. 12-month promos: price jumps later. Set a reminder to renegotiate or switch.
2. Outside the EU: very expensive. Disable automatic data, buy a travel eSIM before departure.
3. “Unlimited” data: often limited after a threshold (reduced speed).
4. Cancellations: some providers require a letter; with RIO porting, it’s automated—still read the terms.
5. Non-FR IBANs: traditional shops may resist; online sign-ups are almost always OK.

Day 1: arrival → B&You eSIM 100 GB for €11.99, activation in 10 minutes.

Day 7: opened a Wise account (BE IBAN) + FR RIB from a neobank.

Month 2: switched to Sosh for better local coverage (RIO porting in 48 h, barely any downtime).

Business trip to Berlin: 20 GB EU data included, no fees.

Christmas in the UK: travel eSIM 5 GB purchased ahead of time.

• Device supports eSIM?
• ID scanned (PDF).
• Address (even temporary) + proof.
• IBAN/card (bank or fintech).
• Install the operator app.
• Set a reminder in 11 months to renegotiate.
• Before trips: check roaming zones + buy an international eSIM if needed.

Start simple and reversible (a no-contract eSIM), keep your number with RIO, watch non-EU roaming, and don’t hesitate to switch plans every year—that’s normal in France and competition works in your favor.