Key takeaways
Updated June 2026- Best for calling abroad: Lebara for bundled international minutes, Lycamobile for pay-as-you-go, and Free Mobile for all-round value.
- French forfaits usually include unlimited calls within France plus EU roaming at no extra cost.
- Calls to other countries vary: many plans include fixed-line (landline) calls to a defined country list; mobiles abroad often cost extra.
- For contacts on WhatsApp, Signal, or FaceTime, an app call over data or Wi-Fi is effectively free.
- Keep your number when you switch with a RIO (call 3179); portability is free.
Updated June 2026. For calling abroad from France, our top picks are Lebara (best for calling abroad, with strong international bundles on the Orange network), Lycamobile (best for pay-as-you-go with competitive prepaid rates), and Free Mobile(best all-round, since its main forfait already includes calls to many countries' landlines and often mobiles). Sosh is the pick if most of your calls stay within the EU. Exact included-country lists, per-minute rates, and prices change often, so confirm the current terms with each operator before you subscribe.
Which SIMs Are Best for Calling Abroad from France?
The best choice depends on how you call: heavy, regular calling to specific countries favours an international MVNO, while occasional calls suit pay-as-you-go, and a mainstream forfait with a generous included-country list can beat both. We do not list exact prices or per-minute rates, which change with promotions; confirm current offers on each provider's site.
1. Lebara
Lebara is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that runs on the Orange network and specialises in international calling. Its plans bundle generous minutes to a range of countries, so if you regularly call the same destinations it often works out cheaper than a standard forfait. Included countries and minute allowances vary by plan (TODO(verify) with Lebara).
Why we recommend it: An MVNO built around international calling, with strong bundled minutes to many destinations on the Orange network, ideal if you call abroad often.
Pros
- +Bundled international minutes to many destinations
- +Runs on the Orange network for wide coverage
- +Plans designed around calling abroad
- +No-commitment options
Cons
- −Included-country lists and rates vary by plan
- −Best value only if your destinations are covered
- International calling bundles on the Orange network
- SIM aimed at frequent overseas callers
2. Lycamobile
Lycamobile is a prepaid MVNO known for low per-minute international rates. Because it is pay-as-you-go with no contract, it suits people who call abroad occasionally or to changing destinations, topping up only when needed. Exact per-minute rates and any bundles vary by country (TODO(verify) with Lycamobile).
Why we recommend it: Prepaid, pay-as-you-go SIM with competitive per-minute international rates and no contract, best if your calling is occasional or unpredictable.
Pros
- +Prepaid, pay-as-you-go with no contract
- +Competitive per-minute international rates
- +Top up only when you need it
- +Good for occasional or varied destinations
Cons
- −Per-minute pricing can beat bundles only for light use
- −Rates differ widely by country
- Prepaid SIM with international per-minute rates
- No-commitment top-up model
3. Free Mobile
Free Mobile's flagship forfait bundles unlimited calls to fixed lines in a long list of countries, and to mobiles in many of them, on top of unlimited calls within France and generous data. If your destinations are on Free's list, you get international calling included in a single low monthly price with no add-on. The exact country list changes over time (TODO(verify) with Free Mobile).
Why we recommend it: Its main forfait includes calls to landlines in a long list of countries and often mobiles too, making it the best all-round value when your destinations are covered.
Pros
- +Calls to landlines in a long list of countries included
- +Often includes mobiles in many countries too
- +Unlimited calls within France plus big data
- +One low monthly price, no international add-on
Cons
- −Value depends on your destinations being on the list
- −Included-country list changes over time
- Main forfait with wide international calling included
- Own 5G network with Orange roaming
4. Sosh
Sosh is Orange's low-cost online brand, running on the full Orange network. Its forfaits include unlimited calls within France and EU roaming, and some plans add calls to selected countries; further international calling is available as an option. It is the steady pick when most of your calls stay inside the EU. Included destinations and options vary (TODO(verify) with Sosh).
Why we recommend it: Runs on the Orange network with EU roaming included and add-on international options, a reliable choice if most of your calls are within the EU.
Pros
- +Runs on the Orange network: the best coverage in France
- +EU roaming included within a fair-use limit
- +Add-on international calling options
- +No-commitment plans, online sign-up
Cons
- −International calling beyond the EU may need an add-on
- −Included destinations vary by plan
- Forfaits sans engagement on the Orange network
- EU roaming plus optional international calling
Ranking as of June 2026. We do not list exact monthly prices, included-country lists, or per-minute rates, which change with promotions; confirm current offers on each provider's official site.
How Do French Forfaits Handle International Calls?
A French forfait almost always includes unlimited calls within France and EU roaming at no extra cost, within a fair-use limit. Calls to other countries are where plans differ. Many forfaits include unlimited calls to fixed (landline) numbers in a defined list of countries, but calls to mobile numbers abroad are frequently excluded or billed as an extra.
- Calls within France: unlimited on almost every forfait.
- Calls to EU/EEA numbers: usually treated like domestic calls under EU roaming rules, at no extra cost within a fair-use limit.
- Calls to landlines outside the EU: many plans include a list of countries for fixed-line calls; the list varies by operator (TODO(verify)).
- Calls to mobiles abroad: often not included or charged at a per-minute rate; check the plan's fine print (TODO(verify)).
- Per-minute rates and country lists: change over time and by plan; always confirm current terms with the operator.
Read the included-country list first
Should You Use a SIM, an App, or an eSIM for Calling Abroad?
There are three common ways to call abroad from France, and the cheapest one depends on who you are calling and how they answer.
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| SIM with international bundle | Calling regular phone numbers and landlines reliably | Mobiles abroad may cost extra; check the country list |
| Calling app (WhatsApp, Signal, FaceTime) | Contacts who use the same app; effectively free over data or Wi-Fi | The other person must install and use the app |
| Travel eSIM | Short stays; instant activation with no French ID | Aimed at data and roaming, not cheap voice calls abroad |
If the person you call uses WhatsApp, Signal, or FaceTime, an app call over data or Wi-Fi is effectively free and usually the simplest choice. A SIM with an international bundle wins for calling ordinary phone numbers, landlines, or people without a smartphone, and gives a stable connection that does not depend on the other side. A travel eSIM is best for short visits and data, but is not designed for cheap overseas voice calls. See our eSIM guide for the data-first option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do French forfaits include calls to other countries?
Many French forfaits include unlimited calls to fixed (landline) numbers in a defined list of countries, on top of unlimited calls within France. Calls to mobile numbers abroad are often excluded or charged extra, and the exact country list varies by operator and plan. Check the fine print (TODO(verify) with the operator) before you rely on it.
Which French SIM is cheapest for calling abroad?
For frequent calls abroad, MVNOs built around international calling like Lebara and Lycamobile usually win on bundled minutes and per-minute rates to specific countries. Free Mobile's main forfait also includes calls to many countries' landlines (and often mobiles) at no extra cost, which can be the best value if your destinations are on its list.
Is it better to call abroad with a SIM or with an app?
It depends who you are calling. If the other person uses WhatsApp, Signal, or FaceTime, an app call over Wi-Fi or data is effectively free and often the simplest choice. A SIM with an international bundle is better for calling regular phone numbers (especially landlines or people without smartphones) and for a stable, always-on connection that does not need the other side to install anything.
Do calls within the EU cost extra from a French SIM?
No. Under EU roaming rules your French forfait works across the EU and EEA at no extra cost, within a fair-use limit, and calls to EU numbers are usually treated like domestic calls. The extra costs to watch for are calls to countries outside the EU/EEA, and calls to mobile numbers abroad, which vary by plan.
Can I keep my French number and still get cheap international calls?
Yes. If you switch operators to get a better international bundle, call 3179 from your line to obtain your RIO (Relevé d'Identité Opérateur) and give it to the new provider. Number portability is free and completes in about one working day, so you keep your French number.
Regulation of French telecom is overseen by ARCEP. Verify current international bundles, included-country lists, and per-minute rates directly with each operator, as of June 2026.
Continue your move to France
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