€2.00
Free · Forfait 2 EUR /mo
350 GB
Free 5G+ · €19.99 /mo
4
Orange · SFR · Bouygues · Free
Orange
ARCEP 2025 leader
Key takeaways
Updated July 2026- Cheapest: Free Forfait 2 EUR at EUR 2.00/mo (backup or second SIM).
- Best value: Free Forfait Free 5G+, 350 GB for EUR 19.99/mo.
- Best network for movers and rural areas: Orange (ARCEP 2025: ~83% perfect-quality rural calls).
- Most consistent overall: Bouygues Telecom (nPerf 2025 best global; 12/17 Opensignal awards).
- All plans are forfaits sans engagement; keep your number via the number-portability code (RIO) (dial 3179). Compare promo vs post-12-month pricing.
The basics
What types of mobile plans exist in France?
There are two things to separate. A postpaid forfait bills you monthly by direct debit (prélèvement) from a French account and is almost always no commitment (sans engagement), meaning you can leave any month. A prepaid option, such as Orange Mobicarte or the travel-focused Orange Holiday, is topped up with cash or any card and needs only an ID, which makes it the easiest plan to get on arrival.
The market has four real networks: Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, and Free Mobile. Everything else is a sub-brand or MVNO riding those networks: Sosh on Orange, B&You on Bouygues, RED by SFR and Prixtel on SFR, plus La Poste Mobile, NRJ Mobile, Lebara, and Lyca Mobile.
Orange
+ Sosh
SFR
+ RED, Prixtel
Bouygues
+ B&You
Free
Own brand
Sub-brand coverage equals the parent network
Ranked picks
Which SIM cards and forfaits are best in France in 2026?
The best plan depends on whether you prioritise price, coverage, or a data bucket that matches your habits. On price and data-per-euro, Free Mobile leads with the EUR 2.00/mo Forfait 2 EUR and the 350 GB Forfait Free 5G+ at EUR 19.99/mo. For coverage, Orange tops ARCEP rankings, while Bouygues Telecom is the most consistent overall. The prices below are from operator pages as consulted in June 2026; compare the promo price vs the price after 12 months before subscribing.
How much data each forfait gives you
Free Mobile (Forfait Free 5G+)
Free Mobile's Forfait Free 5G+ gives 350 GB with unlimited calls and SMS on 5G/5G+ for EUR 19.99/mo, sans engagement. Free also keeps the long-standing Forfait 2 EUR (EUR 2.00/mo, ~2h calls plus basic SMS and minimal data), ideal as a backup or second SIM.
Why we recommend it: Best data-per-euro: Forfait Free 5G+ at EUR 19.99/mo gives 350 GB with unlimited calls/SMS and 5G/5G+. The EUR 2.00/mo Forfait 2 EUR is the cheapest plan for backup or account validation.
Best for: Heavy data users wanting the most GB per euro, plus a EUR 2.00 backup option
Pros
- +350 GB on 5G/5G+ for EUR 19.99/mo
- +Cheapest plan available: Forfait 2 EUR at EUR 2.00/mo
- +Widely rated best value for big data bundles
- +All plans sans engagement; Free wins Opensignal 5G Availability
Cons
- −Coverage trails Orange in some rural areas
- −Online-first, limited physical support
- Free's own 5G/5G+ network
- EU roaming included on the larger forfait
- Number portability via your RIO (dial 3179)
Orange (170 GB / 350 GB 5G)
A full Orange forfait runs on France's top-rated network: ARCEP 2025 credits Orange with ~83% perfect-quality calls in rural areas and the best results on 3/8/30 Mbit/s thresholds. Choose 170 GB 5G at EUR 22.99/mo or 350 GB 5G at EUR 29.99/mo, both unlimited calls and SMS.
Why we recommend it: Best network for movers and rural areas: 170 GB 5G at EUR 22.99/mo or 350 GB 5G at EUR 29.99/mo on the ARCEP-leading network for coverage and rural call quality.
Best for: People in rural areas or who move often and value top coverage
Pros
- +ARCEP 2025: best rural coverage and call quality
- +Most reliable network with strongest customer service
- +170 GB 5G at EUR 22.99/mo, 350 GB 5G at EUR 29.99/mo
- +Shops nationwide for in-person help
Cons
- −Usually the most expensive operator
- −Operator plans may carry an engagement option
- France's most awarded network (ARCEP 2025)
- Postpaid forfaits and prepaid Mobicarte
- Number portability via your RIO (dial 3179)
Sosh (Orange network)
Sosh is Orange's online-only sub-brand, so you get Orange's top-rated réseau and couverture on a forfait sans engagement, usually below the operator's own prices. Plans range from a small-data band to large buckets, all with EU roaming included.
Why we recommend it: Best Orange coverage at a lower price: Sosh runs forfaits sans engagement on the same ARCEP top-rated Orange network, with EU roaming included.
Best for: Newcomers who want Orange coverage at a lower, no-commitment price
Pros
- +Runs on Orange's ARCEP top-rated network
- +Strong value: Orange coverage at a lower cost
- +Forfait sans engagement, cancel any month
- +EU roam-like-at-home data included
Cons
- −Online support only, no Orange shops
- −Promo prices can rise after an intro period
- Postpaid forfait by French prélèvement
- Number portability via your RIO (dial 3179)
- Data bands from small to very large
SFR (200 GB / 250 GB 5G+)
SFR's 200 GB 5G at EUR 19.99/mo includes ~100 GB usable in the EU and DOM, while the 250 GB 5G+ at EUR 26.99/mo adds 35 GB usable from 70 destinations. Budget tiers also exist: 2h/1 GB at EUR 5.99/mo, 20 GB at EUR 15.99/mo, and 80 GB at EUR 17.99/mo.
Why we recommend it: Best for EU/DOM and international data: 200 GB 5G at EUR 19.99/mo (incl. ~100 GB EU/DOM) or 250 GB 5G+ at EUR 26.99/mo (35 GB from 70 destinations), with budget tiers from EUR 5.99/mo.
Best for: Users who travel in the EU/DOM or want a cheap entry tier
Pros
- +200 GB 5G at EUR 19.99/mo with ~100 GB EU/DOM
- +250 GB 5G+ at EUR 26.99/mo, 35 GB from 70 destinations
- +Budget tiers from EUR 5.99/mo (2h/1 GB)
Cons
- −Customer service and reliability can be inconsistent
- −SFR coverage trails Orange in places
- −Compare the promo price vs the price after 12 months
- Runs on the SFR network
- EU/DOM roaming included on the larger plans
- Number portability via your RIO (dial 3179)
Bouygues Telecom / B&You
Bouygues Telecom is the most consistent network overall: nPerf 2025 rated it best on global score, and Opensignal (Nov 2025) gave it 12 of 17 awards. B&You is its online sub-brand, pairing aggressive no-commitment pricing with the same network.
Why we recommend it: Most consistent network overall: Bouygues won nPerf's 2025 best global score and 12 of 17 Opensignal awards (Nov 2025). B&You is its online sub-brand with aggressive no-commitment plans.
Best for: Anyone wanting the most consistent experience nationwide
Pros
- +nPerf 2025 best global score; 12/17 Opensignal awards
- +Strong rural coverage with a good price-to-performance balance
- +Frequent large-data B&You promotions
- +Forfait sans engagement
Cons
- −Can get expensive once promotions end
- −Compare the promo price vs the price after 12 months
- Runs on the Bouygues Telecom network
- EU roam-like-at-home on most plans
- Number portability via your RIO (dial 3179)
Verified plans (as of June 2026)
- Free Forfait 2 EUREUR 2.00/mo
~2h calls + basic SMS, minimal data
Free Mobile - Best for backup, second SIM, or account validation
- Free Forfait Free 5G+EUR 19.99/mo
350 GB, unlimited calls/SMS, 5G/5G+
Free Mobile - Best data-per-euro
- SFR 200 GB 5GEUR 19.99/mo
200 GB (incl. ~100 GB EU/DOM), unlimited
SFR - Big EU/DOM allowance
- Orange 170 GB 5GEUR 22.99/mo
170 GB, unlimited
Orange - Top-rated network
- SFR 250 GB 5G+EUR 26.99/mo
250 GB, 5G+, 35 GB from 70 destinations
SFR - Wide international roaming
- Orange 350 GB 5GEUR 29.99/mo
350 GB
Orange - Premium data on the top-rated network
- SFR Budget: 2h / 1 GBEUR 5.99/mo
2h calls, 1 GB
SFR - Cheapest SFR tier
- SFR Budget: 20 GBEUR 15.99/mo
20 GB
SFR - Light-data option
- SFR Budget: 80 GBEUR 17.99/mo
80 GB
SFR - Mid-data option
Operator pages, June 2026. Compare promo vs post-12-month pricing.
Check coverage at your address first
Ranking and prices as of June 2026, from operator pages plus ARCEP 2025, Opensignal (Nov 2025), and nPerf 2025. MVNOs are about 5.1% of the market (ARCEP T1 2026). Compare the promo price vs the price after 12 months, and confirm current prices on each provider's official site before subscribing.
Short stays
Which SIM is best for tourists and short stays?
A short-stay visitor's best SIM depends on trip length, not price alone. For a trip under a month, the prepaid Orange Holiday tourist SIM, also sold as an eSIM, bundles data plus calls and texts with EU roaming over a validity window of roughly 14 to 28 days. It needs no French address and no French bank account, which makes it the easiest option to activate on arrival.
For a city stay built around maps and streaming, Free Mobile typically offers the cheapest big-data allowance per euro, Bouygues Telecom is the balanced middle on coverage and price, and SFR sells large short-term data bundles. All four run on real French networks, so match the data bucket to your trip rather than chasing a brand.
Tourist prepaid packs and resident forfaits solve different problems. A tourist prepaid pack is easier for a stay under one month because it needs only an ID, while a resident forfait sans engagement is cheaper over the long run and includes EU roam-like-at-home data. Under EU rules a French forfait works across the EU at domestic rates within fair-use limits, the framework the regulator ARCEP applies in France.
Where to buy
Where can you buy a SIM in France?
A SIM is available within minutes of landing in France. Carrier stores for Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom sell and activate SIMs in every major city, and staff can set up a prepaid line on the spot with a valid ID.
Beyond operator shops, a tabac (tobacconist) sells prepaid SIMs and top-ups, as do supermarkets and Relay newsstands in train stations. Kiosks at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly airports stock tourist SIMs on arrival, though airport prices usually run higher than in town.
The no-store route is an eSIM activated before arrival. A travel eSIM or the Orange Holiday eSIM installs over Wi-Fi from a QR code, so there is no shop visit and no passport handed over in-store. Physical prepaid SIMs sold in France are registered to an ID at purchase; the operator Orange lists its Holiday and Mobicarte options online.
How to choose
How do you choose and switch your forfait?
Start with coverage where you live and work: check ARCEP maps and rankings, since Orange and Bouygues Telecom lead in many areas. Then pick a data band that matches your habits and a forfait sans engagement so you can leave freely. To switch, request your RIO by dialling 3179, then hand it to the new operator, who runs the portabilité for you.
- Step 1: Check ARCEP coverage for your home and commute.
- Step 2: Pick a data band (small, medium, or large) that fits your use.
- Step 3: Choose a forfait sans engagement to stay flexible.
- Step 4: Dial 3179 to get your RIO code if you are keeping your number.
- Step 5: Subscribe with the new operator and let them run the portabilité.
The rules
How are French mobile plans regulated?
The regulator is ARCEP, which licenses operators, publishes annual coverage and quality rankings, and oversees number portability. Its rules make switching simple: your RIO guarantees you can move your number, and a forfait sans engagement means no lock-in. EU roam-like-at-home rules ensure your French data works across the EU at no extra cost, within fair-use limits.
Do not confuse prepaid with postpaid. A prepaid Mobicarte or Orange Holiday SIM is topped up in advance and needs no French bank account, while a postpaid forfait bills you monthly by prélèvement. Keep the two apart when you compare offers on arrival.
Sources: ARCEP and operator sites, June 2026. Verify current forfait prices and roaming terms with your chosen provider.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a forfait sans engagement?
A forfait sans engagement is a no-commitment mobile plan you can cancel any month with no penalty. Most modern French SIM plans, including Sosh, RED by SFR, B&You, and Free Mobile, are sold this way, so you are free to switch operators whenever a better deal appears.
How do I keep my phone number when I switch operator?
Use your number-portability code (RIO). Dial 3179 from your line to receive your RIO code by text, then give it to the new operator when you subscribe. Number portability (portabilité) is handled for you and usually completes within a few business days, with no gap in service.
Which French operator has the best network coverage?
Orange tops ARCEP 2025 for coverage and rural call quality (about 83% perfect-quality calls in rural areas), while Bouygues Telecom is the most consistent overall (nPerf 2025 best global score; 12 of 17 Opensignal awards in November 2025). Free Mobile wins Opensignal's 5G Availability and time-on-5G. Sub-brands like Sosh and B&You ride the same networks as their parent operators. Check your exact address on Mon Réseau Mobile (monreseaumobile.arcep.fr) before deciding.
Does my French SIM work elsewhere in the EU?
Yes. Under the EU roam-like-at-home rules, your French forfait gives you calls, texts, and a generous data allowance across the EU at no extra cost, within fair-use limits. Outside the EU, check roaming rates first or use a prepaid option like Orange Holiday.
Can a newcomer get a French SIM without a French bank account?
Often yes. Prepaid SIMs such as Orange Mobicarte or Lebara need only an ID and can be topped up with cash or any card. Postpaid forfaits usually ask for a French IBAN for the prélèvement, so prepaid is the easiest first step on arrival.
What is the best tourist SIM for France?
For a stay under a month, the prepaid Orange Holiday tourist SIM (also sold as an eSIM) is the easiest choice: it bundles data, calls, and texts with EU roaming over a typical 14 to 28 day window and needs no French address or bank account. If you stay mainly in cities and want the most data per euro, a Free Mobile forfait is cheaper; Bouygues Telecom is the balanced pick and SFR sells big short-term data bundles.
Where can I buy a prepaid SIM in Paris?
You can buy a prepaid SIM in Paris at Orange, SFR, and Bouygues carrier stores, at a tabac (tobacconist), in supermarkets, and at Relay newsstands in train stations. Kiosks at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly airports sell tourist SIMs on arrival, usually at higher prices. To skip stores entirely, activate a travel eSIM or the Orange Holiday eSIM before you land.
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