Here are some tips for using your phone in France

Avoid extra charges on arrival

When you arrive in France, remember to deactivate the mobile data on your country’s SIM card to avoid extra charges.

You are a student from the European Union (EU)

There is no surcharge for using your mobile phone within the European Economic Area (EEA).
However, check with your operator that your package includes France to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

You are a student from outside the European Union

Roaming charges can be very expensive. To avoid big expenses, make sure your mobile data is deactivated.

What is roaming? A customer of a mobile operator who travels abroad is “roaming”. This means that their phone is using the network of a foreign operator, which then charges their operator for every call, SMS or MB of data used.

Practical advice:

  • Before using your phone in France, go to Settings and disable mobile data.
  • Connect to Wi-Fi in public places, on campus or in your accommodation to use the Internet for free.
  • Free Wi-Fi hotspots in Angers.
  • Use calling applications instead of traditional calls to call abroad (Whatsapp…).

Choose a mobile pack in France

Long term: the “classic” subscription

To take out a mobile phone subscription in France, you must have a French bank account.
If you want to stay in France for 6 months, a year or more, you can choose to take out a non-binding subscription. This will allow you to cancel your contract at any time and at no extra cost.

Documents required for a mobile package subscription

  • An identity document (passport or residence permit).
  • IBAN or bank details (RIB) for automatic payments.
  • An address in France (proof may be required).

How to cancel your contract:

It is important to check the cancellation policy, as it can vary from one operator to another.

  • Some operators require you to give 30 days’ notice before cancelling your contract.
  • You can cancel online, by phone or by registered post, depending on the operator.
  • Remember to keep proof of your cancellation request.

If you don’t have a bank account in France, 2 operators offer mobile packages that can be paid for by bank card: Lebara and Syma Mobile.

Short term: the prepaid card

While waiting for your bank account to be opened, you can buy a prepaid card to put in your mobile phone.

The prepaid card is taken out for a limited period (several days or months maximum), with a defined volume of calls, text messages and internet usage. Once the credit is used up, you can top up your card online or by phone.

Prepaid cards can be purchased in :

  • Operator shops (see ‘Main mobile operators in France’ below)
  • Tobacconists (Tabac in French)
  • Bookshops and newsagents
  • Supermarkets
  • Online

Please note that the use of long-term prepaid cards can be very expensive.

The eSIM for more flexibility

This is a virtual SIM card that integrates directly into your smartphone, so you don’t need to insert a physical card.
You need a French bank account to use it.
To activate it, simply scan a QR code provided by your operator. It’s also handy if you change operator, as you don’t have to wait for a new physical SIM card.
Depending on your phone and operator, you can add multiple packages to the same eSIM. This is useful if you want to have a French pack while keeping your pack abroad. Make sure your smartphone is compatible before choosing the eSIM option.

Main mobile phone operators in France

Here is a list of the main operators and their websites

Traditional operators:

Low-cost and virtual operators:

Emergency numbers in France

  • European number (medical emergency, offence or danger): 112
  • SAMU (medical emergency): 15
  • Police emergency (to report an offence): 17
  • Fire brigade (danger or accident): 18
  • SMS Emergency (for people with hearing impairments – accessible via an app or by text message): 114
  • At sea ( lifeguard at sea): 196