eSIM France: The best prepaid eSIM to travel in 2023

Bonjour! You’ve decided to travel to France, and have landed in Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, eager to enjoy what France has to offer. The only obstacle left is connecting to the internet, so that you can find the best places in France to travel to. Either you’re charged expensive roaming charges, or you buy a local SIM card, which will need you to travel to a SIM card store/distributor instead of your favourite destination, enter a contract and put your French language skills to the test. Don’t want either option? Use eSIM instead.

eSIM is short for embedded SIM. It allows you to have the same high-speed cellular data as a regular SIM Card, without the need to be in France to get it. You can activate it just by scanning a QR Code! You can get a prepaid eSIM online in advance, meaning that you can pay once without having to learn French, then activate it when you travel to France. Also, this means that you won’t face any unexpected fees from a contract or roaming. 

Note: Most eSIM Companies only allow you to install an eSIM once. If you delete it, you can’t get it back.

Best Prepaid eSIMs for France 2023

Below is a table with the best eSIMs to travel to France of 2023:

1. Orange eSIM Holidays – Best 

Unbeatable Price/GB

Orange eSIM Holidays comes in first place for one reason: Price per Gigabyte (Price/GB). It offers 25GB of data at 4G/LTE speed for 25€, making it have a stunning price/GB of €1/GB. 

The reason why Orange eSIM Holidays has such great value for money is because Orange is a local carrier in Europe distributing their own eSIMs, not a global company distributing eSIMs that connect to a local network. 

Top-up made easy

While this data plan may only last for 15 days, the Price/GB makes topping up the data plan a very viable option. In fact, if you buy an Orange eSIM Holidays Plan and top it up, you will get double the amount of data than the amount that you would get at a similar price from other brands. 

Calls and SMS

Furthermore, it comes with 100 minutes of international voice calls and SMS for additional credit. It comes with a Spanish phone number, due to this being a plan from Orange Spain. 

Orange eSIM Holidays provides data to 29 Countries in Europe (all of the countries in the European Union, Norway and Liechtenstein). Moreover, this being Orange Spain, Orange eSIM Holidays offers unlimited data in Spain, with the first 60GB at 4G/LTE speed and the rest at 2mbps.

Smooth identity check

Although these eSIMs need an identity check due to Spanish Law, it is done quickly and intuitively, making it a non-issue. 

Compatible devices

Some eSIM compatible mobile devices might not be compatible with Orange eSIM Holidays, so check the table below to see if your mobile device is compatible.

2. Bouygues Telecom – Local eSIM  with long duration

Double the Price, offers less data

Bouygues Telecom offers 20GB of 4G/LTE data for €39.90 to be used over 30 days. This means that it has a price/GB of approximately €2. This is a great price per GB, yet it is nearly double the price of an Orange eSIM Holidays plan, and offers less data.

Local activation only

This eSIM is the best for those who want local support for their eSIM. Moreover, because Bouygues is a local carrier, they also included Unlimited SMS and Calls in the EU and €25 worth of credit for overseas calls. While they may cover all of Europe, you can only activate this plan in France, meaning that if you are getting an eSIM for a larger European trip, you would have to start in France.

Long Duration

This data plan lasts 30 days, meaning that you won’t have to top-up your eSIM if you’re staying for a month in France. Nevertheless, if you do not mind recharging your eSIM and doing an identity check, you will get more than double the amount of data for just 10 euros more.

Identity Check, Multiple Downloads

This plan does not require an identity check, and offers multiple downloads, meaning that you can move your plan to a new phone.

3. eSIM MEO – Plan with Competitive Price/GB

Same Price/GB as Local French Plans

eSIM MEO has the best data plan for those who are going on shorter trips and do not want to go through the identity check. They offer 2 plans, both lasting 15 days: One provides 5GB of 4G/LTE data for €15, the other provides 15GB for €30. The latter plan has the same price/GB as Bouygues (€2/GB), the former costing €3 for every Gigabyte consumed. 

European Carrier

MEO is another carrier in Europe, specifically in Portugal, which allows them to have such great value for money on their 15GB plan. 

Multiple Downloads

Like Bouygues, MEO offers multiple downloads. While this may be a data-only plan, you can still use applications such as Whatsapp in order to communicate with your loved ones.

4. Ubigi – Cheap plans, Expensive Price/GB

Small plans

Ubigi offers 2 data-only plans for France, both lasting 30 days. One offers 3GB of 4G/LTE data for €8, the other offers 10GB for €19, meaning that the former has a Price/GB of €2.67/GB and the latter has a Price/GB of €1.90. 

Non-European Provider

Ubigi is not a European carrier, it is a global provider, meaning that they do not provide local support, and cannot support phone calls.. 

Additionally, Ubigi requires its customers to download their app on their mobile devices in order to activate their eSIMs.

5. Airalo – Cheap plans with High Price/GB

Large Variety of Cheap Plans

Airalo offers 4 plans for France, the size and duration of which can be seen in the table above. While the prices themselves might be low, the Price/GB is higher than the rest of the aforementioned brands. 

Foreign provider cannot compete with the locals

This is due to the fact that they offer smaller plans that are much cheaper in price. Like Ubigi, Airalo is a global eSIM provider, not a local carrier, meaning that you do not get local support with their plans. These plans are data-only. Similarly, Airalo requires its customers to download their application to set up their eSIM.

Mobile devices compatible with eSIM:

Apple	Samsung	Google	Other
iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 Mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 13 IPhone 13 Mini IPhone 13 Pro IPhone 13 Pro Max* Iphone 14* iPhone 14 Pro* IPhone 14 Pro Max* iPhone SE (2020)* iPhone SE (2022)* iPhone XR* iPhone XS* iPhone XS Max* iPad 7 Generation (2019) iPad 8 Generation (2020) iPad 9 Generation (2021) iPad AIR 3 Generation (2019) iPad AIR 4 Generation (2020) iPad AIR 5 Generation (2022) iPad MINI 5 iPad Mini 6 Generation (2021) iPad Pro 11 iPad Pro 11 2 Generation iPad Pro 11 3 Generation iPad Pro 12.9 3 Generation iPad Pro 12.9 4 Generation iPad Pro 12.9 5 Generation Apple Watch S3 38* Apple Watch S3 42* Apple Watch S4 40* Apple Watch S4 44* Apple Watch S5 40* Apple Watch S5 44* Apple Watch S6 40* Apple Watch S6 44* Apple Watch S7 40* Apple Watch S7 45* Apple Watch S8 40* Apple Watch S8 45* Apple Watch SE 40* Apple Watch SE 44*	Samsung Galaxy Watch5 4G (40mm) (SM-R905F)* Samsung Galaxy Watch5 4G (44mm) (SM-R915F)* Samsung Galaxy Fold (SM-F900F) Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (SM-N981B/DS) Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G (SM-N986B/DS) Samsung Galaxy S20 5G (SM-G981B/DS) Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G (SM-G988B/DS) Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G (SM-G986B) Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (SM-G991B/DS) Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (SM-G998B/DS) Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G (SM-G996B/DS) Samsung Galaxy S22 5G (SM-S901B/DS) Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G (SM-S908B/DS) Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G (SM-S906B/DS) Samsung Galaxy Watch 42mm (SM-R815F)* Samsung Galaxy Watch 46mm (SM-R805F)* Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 40mm (SM-R835F)* Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 44mm (SM-R825F)* Samsung Galaxy Watch3 41 mm (SM-R855F)* Samsung Galaxy Watch3 45 mm (SM-R845F)* Samsung Galaxy Watch4 40mm (SM-R865F)* Samsung Galaxy Watch4 44mm (SM-R875F)* Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic 42mm (SM-R885F)* Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic 46mm (SM-R895F)* Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro 4G (45mm) (SM-R925F)* Samsung Galaxy Z Flip (SM-F700F) Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G (SM-F707B) Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G (SM-F711B/DS) Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G (SM-F721B/DS) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G (SM-F926B/DS) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 5G (SM-F936B/DS) Samsung Gear S2 3G eSIM (SM-735)	Google Pixel 3 Google Pixel 3 XL	FOSSIL Generation 5 Smartwatch (NA99714)* HUAWEI Watch 3 (GLL-AL04) HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro (NOH-N29) HUAWEI P40 Pro 5G (ELS-N29) HUAWEI P40 5G (ANA-N29) HUAWEI Watch 2 eSIM (DLXXE) MONTBLANC Summit 2+ (S2C19) OPPO Find X5 (CPH2307) OPPO Find X5 Pro (CPH2305) OPPO Reno 6 Pro (CPH2247) OPPO Find X3 Pro (CPH2173) OPPO Watch 46mm (OW19W12)* XIAOMI 12T Pro (22081212UG)*

*Not compatible with Orange eSIM Holidays

eSIM Activation in France

How to Activate your eSIM on Apple mobile devices:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi Network.
3. Tap Mobile Data
4. Tap Add Data Plan
5. Scan the QR Code sent to your email address.
6. Tap Add Data Plan
7. Enter the PIN found in that email when prompted.
8. Enjoy France!

How to Activate your eSIM on Samsung mobile devices:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi Network.
3. Select Connections
4. Select SIM Card Manager
5. Select Add Mobile Plan
6. Select Add using QR Code
7. Scan the QR Code sent to your email address.
8. Enter the PIN found in the same email when prompted.
9. Enjoy France!

Frequently Asked Questions about esim in France:

Does eSIM work in France?

Absolutely! eSIM has been available in France since 2019, and is only getting more and more widely supported.

Which operator offers eSIM in France?

Most major operators offer eSIM in France. However, the best eSIM Provider for France is Orange eSIM Holidays, given the unmatched price/GB and the inclusion of calls.

Where can I buy an eSIM card for France?

You can buy an eSIM card for France here. All you need to do is follow the steps shown.

Which provider has eSIM for France?

There are many providers who have eSIM for France, but Orange eSIM Holidays is the provider with the best value for money when it comes to prepaid eSIMs for travellers going to France.

Is it possible to have 2 SIM Cards with the same number?

No. Each SIM card or eSIM has to have a unique number of its own. However, if your phone has dual SIM, you will be able to use your eSIM for data and your regular SIM card for calls so that you can keep your regular phone number to call your loved ones.

How do you activate eSIM on an iPhone?

Simply order your eSIM and follow the steps above in order to activate your eSIM. After that, you can enjoy France while connected to the internet.

What iPhone for eSIM?

As shown in the table above, every model that was released since the iPhone XS includes eSIM, from the base models to the top of the line flagships. In fact, you can store multiple eSIMs, but you can only use one at a time.