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Best eSIMs for France (2024)


Did you know you don’t have to buy a physical SIM card or depend on WiFi when traveling in France? And with so many affordable and flexible eSIM plans, you don’t have to pay expensive roaming fees. Getting an eSIM for France can save you from the hassle of searching for a physical SIM upon arrival.

While the perks of using an eSIM are clear, choosing the right one can be challenging. With the help of the Cybernews research team, I’ve conducted thorough research and tests to pick the best eSIMs for France. Continue reading to discover which eSIM is best for you.

Top 5 best eSIM providers for France

What to consider when choosing eSIM for travel in France

There’s a lot to consider when picking an eSIM for France, like how much data you’ll need and the duration of your travel. Here are a few pointers to help you choose the best eSIM for your France trip:

  • Trip duration: Ensure the eSIM plan matches the duration of your trip to France. eSIM plans have different validity periods. Most are valid for 7 to 30 days, but some are valid for 6 months or up to a year.
  • eSIM coverage: If you’re visiting several countries in Europe besides France, ensure the eSIM provider you choose has excellent coverage in the region.
  • Data plan: eSIM plans offer different amounts of data, from 1GB to 100GB. Estimate how much data you’ll need before picking an eSIM plan. It’s better to overestimate than underestimate your data needs. Also, if you get a fixed plan, ensure there’s an option to top up if you’re running out of data.
  • Price: Consider your budget when picking an eSIM plan. In the competitive eSIM market, you don't need to choose the most expensive provider to get a reliable internet connection. There are many affordable eSIM plans for France.
  • Internet speed: Your internet speed mainly depends on your network provider and location. For the fastest speeds, pick an eSIM that supports LTE, 4G, or 5G.
  • Calls and messages: Most eSIMs don't support calling or SMS. However, some providers offer these services. If you’d like to make calls and send text messages while in France, pick an eSIM provider that offers a local telephone number and supports calling and texting.

The best eSIMs for France – my detailed list

Below, we’ll briefly examine the top eSIMs for France based on my tests and analysis:

1. Saily – overall best eSIM for France in 2024

Saily esim banner
Supports 5G:Yes
Starting price:$3.99 (7 days, 1GB)
Regional plans:No

Saily, an eSIM service created by the makers of NordVPN, offers reliable internet access in France. This eSIM is incredibly user-friendly, so it’s a perfect choice for people who are new to eSIMs.

Saily has 5 local data plans for France to suit the needs of different users. This eSIM doesn’t currently have regional or global data plans.

Saily’s data plans are valid for 7 to 30 days and offer varying amounts of data — 1GB to 20GB. These plans are pretty affordable, starting at $3.99 for its 1GB data plan, which is valid for 7 days. Its most expensive plan gives you 20GB for 30 days and costs $11.49.

You can purchase a data plan and install this eSIM via the Saily app. The installation process is mostly automatic. Saily’s customer support team is available via 24/7 live chat and email. Saily doesn’t disclose which local carriers it works with within France but promises a reliable connection. This eSIM supports LTE, 3G, 4G, and 5G in most countries.

2. Airalo – best France eSIM for travelers exploring Europe

Airalo banner
Supports 5G networks:Yes
Starting price:$4.50 (7 days, 1GB)
Regional plans:Yes

Airalo has excellent coverage in France and many other popular travel destinations in Europe. It’s a perfect choice if you’re traveling across the region.

Airalo has 6 local data plans for France, offering 1GB to 20GB of data and valid for 7 to 30 days. It has regional plans covering France and 38 other European countries, as well as global plans that cover over 200 countries. This eSIM provider only supports calling and texting on its Discover+ global plan.

In France, Airalo works with Orange, Bouygues, and SFR to provide 5G internet connectivity.

Airalo’s local data plans for France start at only $4.50 for 1GB of data, valid for 7 days. Its most expensive local plan costs $36 and gives you 20GB of data for 30 days.

Airalo’s eSIM is very easy to use: you can install it via the Airalo app, by scanning a QR code, or manually. This eSIM activation is completed when you connect to a supported network. There are no KYC requirements to use this eSIM. Plus, Airalo has multiple customer support channels, including email and 24/7 live chat.

3. Jetpac – budget-friendly eSIM for travelers to France

JetPac banner
Supports 5G:Yes
Starting price:$1 (4 days, 1GB)
Regional plans:Yes

Jetpac offers super affordable plans starting at $1, and it supports 5G in most countries, including France.

Jetpac has 9 local data plans for France, offering 1GB to 50GB of data and valid for 4 to 30 days. It also has regional and global data plans that cover the country.

This eSIM provider works with Free, Orange, and Bouygues Telecom in France. It provides LTE, 4G, or 5G connectivity, depending on your location. Jetpac is a data-only eSIM: it doesn’t support calling or texting.

Jetpac’s cheapest data plan for France costs $1, and it gives you 1GB for 4 days. Its most expensive plan costs $15 and gives you 50GB for 17 days. The eSIM provider also has 30-day plans that give you 5GB, 10GB, 15GB, 20GB, 30GB, or 40GB of data.

Getting a Jetpac eSIM is easy: visit the website or download the app and purchase a plan. Then, scan the QR code and follow the instructions to complete the installation and activation. If you have any questions, you can contact Jetpac’s customer service team via live chat and email.

4. Nomad – eSIM for France with flexible data plans

Nomad banner
Supports 5G networks:Yes
Starting price:$4.50 (1 day, 1GB)
Regional plans:Yes

Nomad has extensive coverage in France and other European countries. It offers an array of flexible data plans designed to meet the needs of different travelers. Whether you’re visiting Paris for a day or traveling across France for several weeks, Nomad has a plan for you.

You can choose from different Nomad local data plans for France. Its Day Plans give you 1GB daily, and you can select how many days you’ll be in France. The good thing about Nomad’s Day Plan is that you can continue browsing at a throttled speed — 512kbps — if your data runs out before the end of the day.

Nomad also has Regular Data Plans, which offer varying amounts of data (1GB to 30GB) and are valid for 7 to 30 days. Besides these options, you can opt for Nomad’s Europe regional plan or its global plan, which covers France and neighboring countries like Italy, the UK, Belgium, and Germany,

Nomad works with Bouygues Telecom, Orange, SFR, and Free Telecom in France and provides 5G. This eSIM doesn’t support calling or texting on any of its plans.

Nomad ensures a seamless user experience by sending notifications when your data runs low, or your plan is nearly expired. Furthermore, it supports tethering, i.e., sharing your data via hotspot.

The best part is that installing your eSIM via QR code is a breeze, with clear instructions provided in the app and via email. Nomad’s customer support team is only available via email; you need to submit a ticket and await their response via email.

Nomad’s local data plans for France start at $4.50 for a 7-day plan that gives you 1GB of data.

5. aloSIM – best eSIM for calling and texting in France

aloSIM banner
Supports 5G networks:Yes
Starting price:$4.50 (7 days, 1GB)
Regional plans:Yes

aloSIM is a highly rated eSIM for France that supports calling and texting on all its plans. Each aloSIM data plan includes a free phone number from Hushed with 30 minutes for calling and 50 texts. You can always top up to get more calling minutes and send texts.

aloSIM has local eSIM plans for France as well as regional and global plans that cover the country. This eSIM provider has 6 different data plans for France, offering 1GB to 20GB of data and valid for 7 to 30 days. It has multiple regional plans covering France, including its Europe regional plans as well as its Western Europe and Mediterranean plans.

aloSIM works with Orange, Bouygues, and Free Telecom to provide reliable network connectivity in France. It supports LTE and 5G in the country.

The cheapest aloSIM plan gives you 1GB of data for 7 days for just $4.50.

You can install your aloSIM eSIM manually or by scanning a QR code. Regardless of the method you choose, the eSIM provider has clear instructions guiding you through the process. aloSIM provides customer support via live chat and email.

6. Instabridge – best eSIM for France with pay-as-you-go plans

Instabridge banner
Supports 5G networks:Yes
Starting price:$2.50 (7 days, 1GB)
Regional plans:Yes

Instabridge is one of the few eSIMs that offers pay-as-you-go plans and regular data plans. This eSIM also stands out because it comes with an array of extra features, including a WiFi map to find WiFi hotspots, a data-saving browser, a VPN, and cloud storage.

Instabridge has 4 local data plans for France, offering 1GB to 20GB of data and valid for 7 to 30 days. Its Europe regional plan also covers the country. Instabridge works with Bouygues, Orange, and SFR in France.

Installing the Instabridge eSIM is easy via the app. When you purchase a data plan, download the Instabridge app and click “activate.” That’s it. You can contact Instabridge’s customer support team by filling out a form on its website. This eSIM doesn’t have a live chat option.

Instabridge’s cheapest regular data plan for France costs $2 and gives you 1GB for 7 days. It pay-as-you-go plan for France costs $2 per GB.

Comparison of the best eSIM providers for France

Here’s a brief table comparing the features of our top eSIMs for France to help you quickly identify which one is best suited for your needs:

SailyAiraloJetPacNomadaloSIM
Plan options:Local plans onlyLocal, regional, and global plansLocal, regional, and global plansLocal, regional, and global plansLocal, regional, and global plans
Compatibility:All iPhone and Android devices that support eSIMAll iPhone and Android devices that support eSIMAll iPhone and Android devices that support eSIMAll iPhone and Android devices that support eSIMAll iPhone and Android devices that support eSIM
Networks:LTE, 3G, 4G, 5GLTE, 3G, 4G, 5GLTE, 3G, 4G, 5GLTE, 3G, 4G, 5GLTE, 3G, 4G, 5G
Calls:NoYes (only on Discover+ plan)NoNoYes
Texts:NoYes (only on Discover+ plan)NoNoYes
Price from:$3.99$4.50$1$4.50$4.50

Still unsure which eSIM to pick? Identify the most essential features you need from an eSIM, such as an affordable price tag or support for calling and texting. Then, look through the table above and see which eSIM is best for you.

How we tested and ranked these eSIMs for France

I worked with the Cybernews research team to pick the eSIMs above based on strict criteria. Here are some of the things I prioritized when selecting the best eSIMs for France:

  • Coverage in France: I looked at each eSIM's coverage across France and selected those with the most extensive coverage. This ensures a reliable connection in rural areas and big cities. Most of the eSIMs above also have coverage in other European countries.
  • Speed: I assessed the speed of each eSIM based on the type of network they support in France. All the eSIMs I selected support 5G. However, the type of network you’ll get in France depends on your device and location. With that said, you’ll get 5G or 4G in nearly every part of the country.
  • Data plans: The perfect data plan for you depends on the duration of your trip to France and your data consumption rate. With that in mind, I assessed the data plans from different eSIM providers and selected those with a variety of plans to meet the needs of different travelers.
  • Price: The prices of eSIM plans vary depending on the duration of the plan and allocated data. I assessed the prices of plans from different eSIM providers and selected those with the best plans.
  • Compatibility: While eSIMs are compatible with most new devices, some eSIMs don’t work with particular devices. I looked at the list of devices each eSIM works with and picked those that support a wide variety of devices from different brands.
  • Customer support: I checked the customer service channels each eSIM offers and their response times. All the eSIMs above have a highly responsive customer service team that is readily available to help you resolve any issues you may encounter.

Benefits of using an eSIM in France

Here are a few reasons you should consider getting an eSIM over a regular SIM card when traveling to France:

  • Instant data: If you activate your eSIM before your trip to France, you’ll be connected to the internet the moment you arrive in the country. This will ensure you can access web-based services like your hotel or Airbnb booking details and purchase train tickets.
  • Easy activation: You can activate your eSIM easily and get internet access in France without having to visit a phone shop.
  • Continue using your SIM card: You can use your regular SIM card alongside your eSIM when traveling in France. This means you can still receive text messages, make calls, and access platforms linked to your SIM card without any issues.
  • No need to swap SIMs: With an eSIM, you can avoid the inconvenience of swapping out your regular SIM card.
  • Save money: An eSIM allows you to avoid paying pricey roaming charges.
  • Flexible plans: You can easily top up your eSIM data while traveling in France without having to visit a phone shop. This can be particularly convenient when you’re in remote places and are running out of data.

Does my phone support eSIMs?

If your phone was released after 2018, it likely supports eSIMs. You can confirm this by checking the device’s specifications. Here are some smartphones from popular brands that support eSIM technology.

iPhoneXR, XS, XS Max, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Google Pixel2 (with Google Fi), 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Fold
Samsung GalaxyS20, S20X, S21, S22, S23, Fold, Z Flip, Note 30, a54
HuaweiP40, P40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro
Xiaomi12T Pro, 13

Even if your phone supports eSIMs, you may be unable to install an eSIM on it if it’s carrier-locked. Most phones sold in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East are unlocked. However, many phones sold in the US are carrier-locked. If you’re having issues installing an eSIM on your phone, contact your network provider to confirm if your phone is carrier-locked.

How to check if your phone is compatible with eSIMs

You can easily check if your phone supports eSIMs; it only takes a minute. I’ll show you how to check if your iPhone or Android device is eSIM compatible.

How to check eSIM compatibility on iPhones

You can ascertain if your iPhone supports eSIMs through its settings. Go to Settings > General > About, and scroll down. If you see “Available SIM” and a 15-digit IMEI number, your phone works with eSIMs. Another way to determine if your phone is eSIM compatible is to check its specifications on Apple’s website.

How to check eSIM compatibility on Android phones

To check if your Android device supports eSIMs, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile network or SIM card. If there’s an option to add a SIM card or eSIM, then your phone is eSIM compatible. These options may be labeled differently depending on the brand and model of your phone. You can also check your phone specifications to see if it supports eSIMs.

For detailed steps on assessing whether different Android phones work with eSIMs, refer to our guide to checking if your phone is eSIM compatible.

How to activate the eSIM data plan on your phone

There are a few ways to activate an eSIM, but you’re limited to the activation method your eSIM provider supports. I’ll explain each eSIM activation method below:

  • App-based activation: Many eSIMs, including Saily and Airalo, allow you to install your eSIMs via their respective apps. This is one of the easiest eSIM installation methods, as the process is automated. All you need to do is click “activate” on the app to install and activate your eSIM.
  • QR code activation: QR code eSIM activation is similar to app-based activation, as the process is mostly automated. eSIMs like Jetpac, Nomad, and aloSIM use QR code activation. To do this, you need to scan a QR code and follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Manual activation: Unlike the other installation methods above, manual installation requires you to go into your device’s settings and enter your eSIM details. You’ll need your eSIM activation code and SM+DP address to install it manually. eSIM providers usually give you all these details along with clear instructions on how to set up your eSIM.

Note: You may need to connect to a local network in France before your eSIM activation process will be completed. So, don’t worry if you go through the entire process and your eSIM isn’t yet activated.

How to buy eSIM in France

You can buy an eSIM plan for France from the website or app of any eSIM provider. The process is easy and convenient. Select a plan, create an account, purchase the plan, and that’s it. eSIM providers accept various payment methods, including debit/credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and crypto. After purchasing your plan, you’ll receive an email detailing how to install and activate your eSIM.

Note: Some eSIM providers may require you to present an ID card to purchase their eSIM plans. However, the vast majority of eSIM providers don’t have this requirement.

When to order/install an eSIM card for France?

While you can buy and install an eSIM for France at any time, it’s important to note that the validity of some eSIM plans starts the moment you install or activate it. Also, some eSIM plans are only valid for 1 to 3 months after you purchase your plan.

With that said, I recommend purchasing your plan once you’ve arranged all your travel details, ideally a week or two before your trip. It’s best practice to wait until a day before you set off to install and activate the eSIM. This ensures that your eSIM plan doesn’t start counting several days before you actually start using the eSIM data. Also, installing the eSIM a day before you travel will give you enough time to troubleshoot and contact the eSIM customer support team should you encounter any issues.

How to make calls with eSIM in France

Most eSIM providers offer data-only plans, but some allow you to make calls using your eSIM. Here is how to make calls with an eSIM in France:

  • Find an eSIM provider that offers a phone number for calls: Some eSIM providers, like aloSIM, give users a phone number for calls and texts.
  • Use your domestic SIM card alongside the eSIM: You can use your domestic phone number for calls and reserve your eSIM for data. However, making international calls using your domestic SIM card can be expensive.
  • Use VoIP apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Skype: These apps allow you to make calls over the internet using your eSIM.

Tips for using an eSIM in France

Here are a few things you should keep in mind when buying and using an eSIM in France:

  • You'll need an unlocked phone: Make sure your phone is unlocked and not tied to a specific carrier. If your phone is carrier-locked, contact your internet service provider to determine if it can be unlocked. Usually, this can be done for a fee.
  • You need a phone with eSIM support: You can only use an eSIM on compatible devices. So, confirm that your device works with eSIMs before purchasing a plan.
  • Many eSIMs do not provide a virtual phone number: Most eSIMs only offer mobile data without a virtual phone number, meaning you can't make phone calls or send SMS messages. If you’d like to make calls and send SMS, choose an eSIM that provides a phone number and supports calling.
  • Learn about your eSIM’s activation: Some eSIMs are activated once you install them, but with others, you need to connect with a local network in France before they’re activated. Check your eSIM provider’s website or contact their customer support team to learn all about your eSIM’s activation and avoid activating it too early.

Final thoughts on the best eSIMs for France

eSIMs are a convenient and flexible solution for travelers in France. They offer instant data access and eliminate the hassle of getting a physical SIM card. eSIM providers have plans tailored to fit the needs of different travelers visiting France.

Of all the eSIMs I assessed, Saily stands out. It provides reliable internet and has affordable plans, allowing you to skip high roaming fees and manage your data usage while exploring the land of baguettes and wine.


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