Having a local phone number when you arrive in France is more than necessary. You will need one for many reasons, for example in your job search.
Some operators might ask you for proof of address, while others are more accommodating to newcomers. Free Mobile is one such example.
Free Mobile
Free Mobile is a French telecommunications company. They offer many services, including cell phone plans and wifi.
To get a French phone number with them, you can either do so online at one of their physical stores.
1. Free Mobile online
The online procedure gives you the choice between a regular SIM and an e-SIM. You will be asked to provide:
- A French address
- A euro checking account
I was easily able to get a number when I landed in Paris by going to Free Mobile’s website. Since they offer e-SIMs, I set up a number without ever going to a physical store. They asked for an address, so I put my friend’s down (no formal proof was required) since I didn’t have my own address yet. And as for the euro checking account, I simply used the routing information from my Wise euro account.
2. Free Mobile in person at a store
In person, there are no specific conditions to meet. Go to a Free Mobile store, where an associate will help you get a SIM. They’ll ask for an address, but if you don’t have one yet, the associate may enter the store address as a temporary solution until you have an address.
Meghan, a Canadian working holiday maker, went to a Free Mobile store in Paris on her second day in France and was able to obtain a SIM card without problem. She was also able to pay with her Canadian credit card.
Free Mobile’s plans
Free Mobile offers a couple of different plans. They are popular among expats and foreigners because they are well suited to the needs of people who travel abroad often.
The Free 5G plan (the one that I chose) is especially relevant. For €19.99, it includes:
- 350 GB in France
- 35 GB abroad in 100+ countries, including all of Europe
- Unlimited calls and SMS/MMS in France
- Free calls to Canada, the US, and China. This is helpful if you ever need to call your Canadian bank, for example.
Other carriers
If I’ve dedicated a section to Free Mobile, it’s for no other reason than it’s the carrier I chose (as a working holiday maker in France) and therefore the option that I know best. But as you might guess, Free Mobile is far from the only carrier in France.
- RED has a “Spécial Voyage” plan for €19.99 that is comparable to the aforementioned Free 5G plan. The benefit is that RED’s plans are very customizable, meaning you can pay less if you don’t need so much data or international coverage.
- Sosh has a very good “Voyage” plan for just €15.99 that provides data coverage in 130+ countries. But unlike the Free 5G plan, calls to Canada, the US, and China are not included.
- Orange also has a few plans at different price points, but there is no cellular data included when travelling outside of Europe.
Some operators may ask for proof of address (lease, electricity bill etc), which you likely won’t have upon landing. If this happens, simply try another operator.
Conclusion
Getting a local phone number should probably be the first thing you do upon arrival in France. It will make life easier for you when you eventually try to open a bank account, apply for jobs, or look for an apartment.
The choice of operator and plan depends on your budget and needs. However, since they don’t require a proof of address, Free Mobile is our recommendation.
Pvtistes is not in any way affiliated with or sponsored by Free Mobile. It is simply the operator that we ourselves (as
working holiday makers in France) chose and liked.
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