Published November 13, 2025
New country, new habits—and the first blocker: getting a French number for appointments, banking, school, and healthcare. The good news: in 2025 it’s easier than ever thanks to eSIM, MVNOs, and cheap no-contract plans. This guide shows you, step-by-step, how to get a number within 24 hours, avoid hidden fees, and choose between Orange/Free/SFR/Bouygues and their budget brands (Sosh, RED, B&You) or prepaid options (Lebara, Lycamobile).
Situation. You need a French number fast for banking, doctor bookings (Doctolib), and government logins (CAF/Ameli).
Expect. Too many plans, strange acronyms (eSIM, RIO, fair use), some shops asking for a French IBAN.
Prepare. Passport, any address, a card/IBAN, 15 minutes.
Key. Start with a no-contract eSIM, then switch once you know which network covers your area.
A. Instant eSIM (online)
B. Prepaid SIM (Lebara, Lycamobile, Orange Holiday)
C. No-contract monthly plan
| Need | Recommended operators | Why | |
| --- | --- | --- | |
| Best network (rural/mountain) | Orange / Sosh | Widest 4G/5G coverage, solid support | |
| Best urban pricing | Free Mobile | Generous 5G, aggressive tariffs | |
| Balance price/coverage | Bouygues / B&You | Plenty of data, strong suburban coverage | |
| International data | SFR / RED | Some extra-EU roaming on certain plans | |
| Simple prepaid | Lebara, Lycamobile | No commitment, good international rates |
MVNOs (budget brands): Sosh (Orange), RED (SFR), and B&You (Bouygues) use the same networks as their parent operators, with lower prices and online self-service.
Porting is easy in France.
Across the EU you can use your plan almost like at home. But:
France–Switzerland commuters: Free and Bouygues sometimes offer Switzerland add-ons. Also check Salt/Sunrise on the CH side if you cross daily.
See also: Best Banks for Expats in Europe (2025).
Related: Finding a Doctor/Dentist Abroad · End of Free Social Security for Foreigners.
Prepaid if: short stay, instant need, tight budget, lots of international calling.
No-contract plan if: staying ≥ 3 months, heavy data use, want to keep the same number.
Indicative 2025 pricing:
Day 1: arrival → B&You eSIM 100 GB for €11.99, activation in 10 minutes.
Day 7: opened a Wise account (BE IBAN) + FR RIB from a neobank.
Month 2: switched to Sosh for better local coverage (RIO porting in 48 h, barely any downtime).
Business trip to Berlin: 20 GB EU data included, no fees.
Christmas in the UK: travel eSIM 5 GB purchased ahead of time.
Start simple and reversible (a no-contract eSIM), keep your number with RIO, watch non-EU roaming, and don’t hesitate to switch plans every year—that’s normal in France and competition works in your favor.
Online with Sosh/RED/B&You it usually does. In shops, some staff still prefer a French RIB. Sign up online first, then update payment later.
Request your RIO by dialing 3179 and give it to the new provider. They port the number and cancel the old plan for you.
Not always included. Check dedicated Switzerland/UK options or buy a travel eSIM to avoid surcharges.
For more practical insights on this topic, explore our related articles:
Conclusion: Getting a French number is no longer a headache. eSIM plus a no-contract plan equals speed and flexibility. Once settled, use RIO to move to the network that covers your area best. Watch non-EU roaming, renegotiate yearly, and enjoy the freedom that keeps prices low.
1 tip per week, no spam.
Europe remains a dream destination for expats, but major capitals have become unaffordable. With inflation, record-high rents and crowded labour markets, many foreigners now look for smaller, human-scale cities that remain affordable. This guide looks at the hidden cities that offer the ideal balance in 2025: quality of life, manageable costs, safety, strong infrastructure and a growing international community.
Read the article
Spain is undergoing a historic shift. Recent estimates show that foreign residents are increasing nearly 20 times faster than the native population. Cities expand, infrastructures tighten, housing prices soar, and healthcare and education systems re-prioritize. For current or future expats, this means two things: remarkable opportunities – yet very real challenges if you are not prepared.
Read the article
Integration isn't about becoming local overnight—it's about decoding the invisible rules that shape daily life: greetings, timing, small talk, hierarchy. Across Europe, these subtle differences make or break first impressions. Here are the 7 hidden rules every expat eventually learns—the easy way or the hard way.
Read the article