eSIM France: Prepaid Data Plans

For most tourists and business travellers, yes, if your phone supports eSIM. France plans start at $3.49 for 2 GB, and you install the eSIM before you fly, so you have data when you land, without queuing for a tourist SIM at the airport. If your home plan already covers France at no extra cost, you may not need one.

France eSIMs on MobiMatter run on Free, Bouygues Telecom, Orange, SFR, and Orange France. Every plan names its network, so you can choose the carrier you prefer before you buy.

Our best plan for France right now is 120 GB for 30 days at $49.99 from Bouygues. We rank plans on quality and value for money, and this one comes first in the list. If price per GB is all that matters, the lowest right now is $0.66 per GB, with 50 GB for 30 days.

It depends on how you use your phone. Light use (maps, messaging, browsing) takes about 0.5–1 GB a day; scrolling a lot of social video can take 2–3 GB or more. Typical use per hour:

• Instagram Reels, TikTok: 0.3–1 GB
• YouTube, Netflix at standard quality: 0.5–1 GB
• Video calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime): 0.5–1 GB
• Voice calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime Audio): 50–70 MB
• Maps and navigation: 2–6 MB
• Messaging and browsing: 50–150 MB

The cheapest France plan with at least 5 GB for a week or longer is 5 GB for 30 days at $5.99.

Yes. Unlimited data plans for France start at $7.99. Many unlimited plans slow down after a daily high-speed allowance, so check the fair-use terms on the plan page before you buy.

5G is available on 45 plans for France, where the local network has 5G coverage; the others use 4G/LTE. Hotspot (tethering) works on every plan, so you can share your data with other devices.

Most travel eSIMs, including most France plans, are data-only and have no local number. You keep your usual number on your main SIM for calls, texts and WhatsApp. Plans that include a number or minutes say so on the plan page.

Yes, if it supports eSIM and is not locked to a carrier. To check, dial *#06#: if an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS/XR on, Galaxy S20 and later and Pixel 3 and later do, except models sold in mainland China.

Yes. Your eSIM and your main SIM can be active at the same time. Use the eSIM for mobile data with data roaming on for that line, and turn data roaming off on your home SIM to avoid charges. WhatsApp keeps working on your usual number.