Bienvenue à la France! You’ve arrived in the world’s most visited country, eager to dive into everything France has to offer, but there’s just one problem: getting online.
Suddenly, you’re stuck between expensive roaming fees or going on a wild goose chase for a local SIM card. And let’s be real, nobody wants to start their journey in Paris by waiting in line at a SIM card store. Not exactly the vibe you were going for, huh?
As you want to seize every moment of your stay, one easy way to stay connected is by using an eSIM, which lets you access mobile data without needing a local SIM card. This guide will walk you through choosing the best eSIM for France, covering provider options, available plans, and setup instructions.
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Image by Vecteezy, Pexels and Klipartz
What is an eSIM for France, and how does it work?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card that’s already inside your phone or device and can’t be taken out. It works like a regular SIM card, but instead of inserting a physical card, you just download the carrier’s settings. This makes it easier to switch between mobile carriers or plans.
Physical SIM cards are still common, but eSIMs are becoming more popular because they are more flexible. By February 2025, over 260 mobile carriers worldwide offer eSIM services for smartphones, and the eSIM market was worth about $9.6 billion, showing that more people and businesses are starting to use them.
eSIM vs. SIM Card for France: What’s the Difference?
When traveling to France, you can choose between an eSIM or a physical SIM card.
An eSIM is a digital SIM that doesn’t need a physical card. You activate it by scanning a QR code, which makes the process fast and simple. However, not all phones support eSIMs, and they might not be as common as regular SIM cards.
A prepaid SIM card, on the other hand, is the traditional plastic card we all know that you can buy at airports, kiosks, and mobile stores in France. You set it up by putting it in your phone, which makes it easy to use.
Differences between eSIMs vs physical SIM cards:
- Convenience: eSIMs let you change plans without swapping out the card. Prepaid SIMs need you to take out the old card and put in a new one.
- Coverage & Speed: Both eSIMs and prepaid SIMs use the same networks in France, so they work the same.
- Environmental Impact: eSIMs are better for the planet because they don’t create plastic waste.
- Cost: eSIMs can be cheaper and easier to use, but both options usually cost about the same.
If your phone can use eSIMs, it’s an easy and convenient way to get connected. But if your phone can’t use eSIM, a regular prepaid SIM card is still a good, reliable option.
Why Choose an eSIM for Traveling in France?
Avoid Expensive Roaming Fees
When you travel abroad and use roaming on your phone, you could end up paying a lot for data. For example, in France, roaming costs about $2–$3.50 per megabyte (MB). If you use just 5MB a day, that could add up to over $150 a month! Some providers even charge $10 a day for just 500MB, which can make a long trip really expensive.
With an eSIM, you can use local data plans instead, which are way cheaper. For example, if you’re traveling to France and using AT&T or Verizon roaming, you might spend over $300 a month. But with a Yoho Mobile eSIM, you could get 10GB of data for just $14.96 for 30 days—saving more than 95%!
Activate in Seconds
You don’t have to look for a SIM card store at the Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airport or change physical SIM cards. Just purchase and set up your eSIM before your trip to France. The moment you land and your phone connects to a French network—like Orange, SFR, or Bouygues Telecom—you’ll have internet instantly.
Stay Connected in Multiple Countries
If you’re traveling within France and other European countries or even taking a short trip to Asia, you don’t need to get a different SIM card for each country. Many eSIM providers offer regional and global plans that work across multiple countries, saving you time and effort.
For example, Yoho Mobile has eSIM plans that work in 40 European countries, including France. So, if you’re traveling from France to Spain, Italy, or Germany, you can keep using the same plan without switching or buying a new one.
Better for the Environment
Every year, millions of plastic SIM cards are made, creating a lot of waste. In France, using eSIMs instead of plastic SIM cards helps reduce pollution and is better for the environment.
eSIMs also produce fewer carbon emissions compared to traditional SIM cards, which means they have a smaller impact on climate change. If more people used eSIMs, it would greatly reduce plastic waste—similar to removing many cars from the road.
By choosing an eSIM in France, you’re saving money and helping the planet at the same time.
Connectivity Anywhere, Anytime
With an eSIM, you can stay connected no matter where you are in France. In Paris, you can easily look up directions on your phone while exploring the city’s landmarks. In the French Alps, even on a mountain hike, you can share photos or stay in touch because of the strong connection. And in Provence, even in a peaceful village, you can check your emails or call home.
Using an eSIM means you can stay connected no matter where you are in France, whether in a bustling city or a quiet village.
Picture by Pierre Blaché on Pexels
How to Choose the Best eSIM for France
Think of eSIM data plans like travel à la carte menus tailored to fit your needs. Whether you’re a heavy data user or need it for work-related purposes, there’s a plan for you.
To find the best eSIM data plan, there are some factors you need to consider. Ask yourself a few questions that will guide you in choosing the best plan for you. For example:
- How much data will you need for your trip to France?
- How long will you need mobile data?
- Will you be sharing data with someone else or another device like a laptop?
- Will you need to send SMSs, or can you rely on online messaging apps?
- Do you know if your hotel or Airbnb has free Wi-Fi?
Understanding these details will make choosing an eSIM plan for your trip to France easier. But what if you’ve never tracked your data usage? Don’t worry; we’re here to help you estimate it!
Will It Work in All Locations?
In France, there are both big cities and remote areas. If you’re in cities like Paris, Lyon, or Marseille, most eSIM providers will work well.
But if you’re heading to less populated areas, like the French Alps or rural Provence, you’ll need an eSIM that connects to local networks with good coverage. Orange is the best option for coverage, followed by SFR and Bouygues. Orange works in about 96% of cities and 85% of rural areas. So, when picking an eSIM, make sure it connects to one of these networks for a reliable signal.
What’s the Right Amount of Data for You?
If you’re just doing simple things like checking maps or browsing occasionally, you’ll probably need about 1GB to 3GB of data for a week in France. If you use social media, stream videos, or make video calls, aim for 5GB to 10GB for two weeks.
For heavy data users who stream a lot or work remotely, you’ll want at least 20GB for the month. The good news is that if you run out of data, you can easily top up with most eSIM providers, so there’s no need to worry about getting the perfect amount from the start.
Knowing your regular data usage can help you choose a mobile plan wisely. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Emails are small, around 10 kilobytes. But emails with heavy attachments, photos, logos, and fancy signatures could use up to 10 MB of data. In case you plan to check email while traveling, expect to use about 0.3 MB for each email.
- Browsing doesn’t use much data because websites are optimized for fast loading. Expect to use between 5 MB and 15 MB for a whole hour of internet browsing.
- Google Maps uses a small amount of mobile data, about 3 MB to 5 MB of data per hour. Check out our quick guide to know how much data Google Maps uses and some useful tips to save data while using it.
- TikTok is all about videos hence it’s more data-intensive. Each short video loads quickly, and new ones keep coming. On average, being on TikTok for a whole hour can use nearly 1 GB of data.
- Instagram uses about 100MB of data per hour. If you’re only watching Reels (which are like TikToks), it might use a bit more data.
- Twitter uses the least data among social media since it’s mostly text-based. For a complete hour, you’d use around 5MB of data.
- Facebook doesn’t need a lot of data either. If you spend a whole hour, you’d use around 100MB of data.
- YouTube at the lowest quality (144p) uses between 30 MB and 90 MB per hour. For medium quality (720p), it’s 1.2 GB to 2.7 GB per hour. But the best quality (4K or 8K) is 9 GB to 22 GB per hour.
- Netflix uses about 1 GB per hour for standard definition and up to 3 GB per hour for high definition.
- Spotify music streaming uses around 350MB per hour.
What’s Your Length of Stay?
eSIM plans for France come in different sizes depending on the length of your stay. For short trips (1 to 7 days), a plan with 1-3GB should be enough. If you’re staying for two weeks, you’ll want a plan with 5GB or 10GB. For a month-long trip, consider a plan with at least 20GB.
If you travel a lot around Europe, it might be cheaper to choose a regional mobile plan that covers multiple countries. These plans usually give you anywhere from 30GB to unlimited data for 30 days. The best part is that you can use your data not only in France but also in nearby countries without extra charges.
Do You Need Voice and Text, or Only Data?
Most eSIM plans are data-only, meaning you can use apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Messenger to make calls and send texts. However, some providers offer plans that include a French phone number for traditional calls and texts.
If having a local phone number is important to you, make sure to check this feature before purchasing the plan.
You May Also Like to Read: How to Make Calls and Send Texts Using a Data-Only eSIM
Do You Want an eSIM Hotspot for Internet Sharing?
If you’re traveling to France and need to share your phone’s data with a laptop or another phone, make sure your eSIM supports hotspots, as not all of them do. If you’re working remotely or traveling with others, check that your eSIM plan allows tethering (data sharing) before purchasing it. In France, once your eSIM is activated, most plans let you turn on the hotspot feature to share your data easily.
How Much France eSIM Plans Cost
eSIM prices depend on how much data you need, which provider you choose, and how many countries you choose. For basic usage, you can get cheap plans starting at $5 for a small amount of data. If you need more data or a plan that works in more places, it costs more. For example, in France, a 1GB eSIM might be $5, while unlimited data could cost around $30–$40, depending on the provider.
Best eSIM Providers for France in 2025
Yoho Mobile
Yoho Mobile provides eSIM plans for France that give you lots of options to choose from. Most mobile providers don’t offer as many flexible options for eSIM plans as Yoho Mobile does. You can select a plan for 1, 10, 15, or 30 days, with data amounts ranging from 100 MB up to unlimited. The combinations really are endless!
A Yoho Mobile France data plan starts at $2.98 for 1GB of data, with a better value 10GB plan priced at $1.16 per GB. For unlimited data, the plan begins at $55.70 for 7 days. The pricing is straightforward, with no hidden fees, and the setup is simple—you just scan a QR code that’s emailed to you.
Yoho Mobile uses Bouygues’ LTE network for good coverage across France and lets you use your phone as a hotspot. They offer 24/7 customer support in multiple languages via live chat, WhatsApp, and email. Their app, available on iOS and Android, lets you easily manage your plan, and you can pay using credit cards or digital wallets. Yoho Mobile offers an affordable and user-friendly eSIM service in France.
Flexiroam
Flexiroam has different eSIM plans for France, with options starting at $18 for 1GB, lasting for 7 days, and going up to 100GB for an entire year. The more data you buy, the cheaper the price per gigabyte becomes, so bigger plans offer better value.
While the pricing is competitive, other providers offer more reliable service and better customer support. Their eSIM allows hotspot sharing, so you can use your data on multiple devices. Customer support experiences vary. Some users have a good experience with customer support, while others face delays.
Flexiroam is an option for France, but it’s a good idea to read reviews and compare it with other providers before choosing.
Jetpac
Jetpac offers eSIM plans for travelers in France with affordable data options. For example, you can get 1 GB for 4 days at $4, 10 GB for 30 days at $12, or 50 GB for 17 days at $20.
However, Jetpac doesn’t offer unlimited data plans, which could be a downside for people who use a lot of data. The service runs on major French networks like Free and Orange, providing 4G/LTE speeds of around 140 Mbps for downloads and 30 Mbps for uploads. It also supports hotspot sharing, so you can connect multiple devices.
Saily
Saily offers eSIM plans for travelers in France, with prices starting at $3.99 for 1 GB (valid for 7 days) and going up to $31.99 for 20 GB (valid for 30 days).
It connects to major French mobile networks with speeds as fast as 5G and lets you use a hotspot without limits. However, it doesn’t support regular voice calls or text messages, which could be a problem for some. You can contact customer support 24/7 through live chat or email, but how helpful it is can vary, some users think it’s great, while others have had trouble with connection issues or slow responses.
Airhub
Airhub has a variety of mobile plans for France. They offer short-term options like daily, weekly, and monthly plans, plus options that work in France, all of Europe, or even other continents. Prices start at $3.50 for 3GB of data over 7 days. The bigger plans give more value—for example, 300GB for $35.50 a month.
Airhub provides 4G and 5G coverage in France through reliable networks, but some users have experienced slow speeds and connection problems. Most local plans allow using hotspots (sharing your mobile data), but some monthly plans don’t.
How to Buy & Activate an eSIM for France
- Choose your eSIM provider
To get an eSIM in Italy, start by selecting a provider like Yoho Mobile that offers eSIM plans for France.
Before moving forward, make sure your phone is compatible with eSIM by checking the EID number using *#06# on your phone, looking at your settings, or referring to a list of eSIM-compatible devices..
- Go to the Yoho Mobile’s website
Visit the Yoho Mobile website or download the app.
- Choose your destination
Select France or any other countries you’ll be visiting. Some providers offer plans that work across multiple countries or globally.
- Customize Your Yoho Mobile Plan
Pick a plan based on the duration of your trip and how much data you’ll need. For short trips, 1-3 GB might be enough, but for longer stays, you may want a plan with 10 GB or even unlimited data.
- Buy the eSIM
Once you’ve chosen a plan, complete the payment online. You’ll need to provide your email so the provider can send you the eSIM details.
If you have a promo code (like YOHO12 for 12% off), enter it to get a discount.
Then, choose your payment method (credit card, WeChat, Amazon Pay, Alipay, or Cash App Pay) and enter your payment info to complete the purchase.
- Install and activate your France eSIM
Once you receive the eSIM confirmation by email, open your phone’s settings and scan the QR code in the “Add Cellular Plan” section using your phone’s camera.
Opt for manual installation if you can’t scan the QR code. Select the device on which you are going to install an eSIM (iPhone, Android, and follow the instructions for each device; if you face problems during the process, contact the support team.
Make sure you’re connected to WiFi during the activation. After completing the process, your eSIM will be ready to use when you arrive in France!
Final Thoughts: Is an eSIM Worth It in France?
eSIMs are a great choice for staying connected in France in 2025. They’re cheaper than roaming, with data plans starting at $1 for 1GB. Setting up is as easy as just scanning the QR code you get by email, and you’re ready to use networks like Orange, Free, and Bouygues Telecom. You can keep your home number while using a local plan, too.
eSIMs are eco-friendly, don’t require physical SIM cards, and work on both 4G and 5G. By 2025, many smartphones in France will use them. Overall, eSIMs make it cheaper, simpler, and greener to stay connected while traveling.
Photo by Polina Kovaleva
FAQs About Using an eSIM in France
How much data do I need for my trip to France?
The amount of data you’ll need for a trip to France depends on how much you use your phone. For light use like email, browsing, and messaging, 1GB per week should be enough. For moderate use like maps, social media, and music, aim for 3-5GB per week. Heavy users who make video calls or stream videos may need 10GB or more per week. Some plans offer options like 1GB for 7 days for about €4.50. For navigation, 10GB should be enough for a 2-week trip.
Does France work with eSIM?
Yes, eSIMs work in France. They’ve been available since 2019 and are widely supported now. Many providers offer eSIM plans with different data options. You can purchase an eSIM online from providers like Yoho Mobile to avoid roaming fees and easily connect to local networks.
Can I make calls and send texts with a France eSIM?
Yes, you can make calls and send texts with a France eSIM, but it depends on the plan you choose. Some eSIMs include voice, data, and SMS, allowing people to contact you easily. Others are data-only, which means you’ll need to use apps like WhatsApp for calls and texts.
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What is the best eSIM for France?
Yoho Mobile is the best eSIM provider in France. It offers flexible plans, 24/7 customer support, and affordable rates, such as 10GB for €21.17. Unlike other providers, Yoho also has unlimited data options and doesn’t require identity verification.
Jetpac has low prices but doesn’t offer 5G or calling features. Flexiroam may not work well in rural areas. Saily provides good value but has limited customer support. Airhub has basic plans but doesn’t support voice calls or SMS. Overall, Yoho is the most reliable and easy-to-use option for travelers in France.