eSIM or physical SIM card: the essential differences
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital profile installed directly in a compatible phone, with no physical card to insert. A classic SIM card, on the other hand, is bought in a shop or from a vending machine and slotted into the phone as usual.
| Criterion | eSIM | Physical SIM card |
|---|---|---|
| Set-up | Scan a QR code, takes a few minutes, often before departure | Buy on site (airport, operator shop, supermarket) then insert |
| Compatibility | Requires an eSIM-compatible, unlocked phone | Compatible with almost every unlocked phone |
| French phone number | Rarely included (mostly data-only offers) | A French number is generally assigned |
| Loss of your original plan | None (the phone's physical SIM stays in place, useful for receiving texts/calls from home) | The original SIM has to be removed and kept separately |
| Ideal for | A short to medium stay, with no need for a local number | A longer stay, or if you need a French number |
Is your phone eSIM-compatible?
Before buying an eSIM, check two things: that your phone model supports eSIM (most recent high-end and mid-range smartphones do, but not all), and above all that it is unlocked by your home operator — a phone locked to an operator will not be able to use a third-party eSIM. This information can usually be checked in the phone's settings or with your operator.
Do you really need to buy an eSIM or SIM card for Paris?
Not necessarily: in several cases, your usual plan is already enough, and paying for a France eSIM would be money spent for nothing.
- Travellers resident in the European Union: thanks to the European roaming regulation ("roam like at home"), a mobile plan taken out in an EU country includes the use of data, calls and texts in France at no extra cost, within the data allowance of your national plan. This arrangement has been extended until 2032. In this case, no French eSIM or SIM card is needed.
- Some international plans (United Kingdom, United States, etc.): several operators offer Europe roaming options included in, or at low cost on top of, their national plans. Check before departure whether France is covered by your current plan: it sometimes already is, which avoids an unnecessary purchase.
- A very short stay with Wi-Fi available everywhere (hotel, café, accommodation): if you do not need continuous data out in the street, Wi-Fi can be enough for a very short stay, topped up by the Wi-Fi at the airport and on public transport.
If none of these cases applies to you — a non-EU traveller without a Europe roaming option, a stay where you will need GPS, translation or social media continuously — an eSIM or local SIM card becomes useful.
eSIM providers for France: comparison
The prices below change regularly, especially the currency conversions, and must be reconfirmed before buying.
| Provider | Data | Duration | Indicative price | Calls/texts | Tethering (hotspot) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo (eSIM France) | Unlimited depending on tier | 3 to 30 days | from about $11 (3 days) up to about $59 (30 days) | Not included (data only on this plan) — check the "France + calls" offer if you need a number | Not specified on the product page, to be confirmed before buying |
| Holafly (eSIM France) | Unlimited | 3 to 30 days | from about €12 (3 days) up to about €74 (30 days) | Not included (data only), use via WhatsApp/VoIP recommended | Yes, up to 1 GB/day shareable as a hotspot |
| Orange Travel (formerly Orange Holiday Europe, eSIM/physical SIM) | From 1 GB to several tens of GB depending on the plan | 7 to 90 days depending on the offer | Data-only plans from about $6 (1 GB/7 days); plans with unlimited calls/texts in Europe from about $30 | Included on the "calls + texts" plans (unlimited to Europe) | Allowed on data plans |
Points to check for yourself before buying, since prices and tiers change frequently: the exact price in euros on the day you order, whether tethering is available on the specific offer chosen, and whether or not a French phone number is included — useful if a shop, a hotel or a booking asks you for a local number.
French physical SIM card: where to buy one in Paris
If you prefer a classic SIM card (useful for a longer stay, or if you want a real French number):
- At the airport: Orange sells prepaid tourist SIM cards directly in the terminals at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (and at Orly), with a starter plan and then top-ups available (for example about €20 for 5 GB of data + calls/texts, or €40 for a more generous plan with unlimited calls/texts in Europe — prices to be reconfirmed on site, they change).
- In town: Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free shops sell prepaid SIM cards, generally from €5-10, in their own outlets or in supermarkets (Carrefour, Auchan for the low-cost offers).
- Have an ID document to hand for activation, which is compulsory in France for any prepaid SIM card.
eSIM or SIM card: how to choose according to your profile
- Short stay (3-7 days), no need for a local number: a data-only eSIM (Airalo, Holafly) is the quickest solution — set up before departure, no queue on arrival.
- Longer stay or need to call French numbers (bookings, taxis, healthcare professionals): a French physical SIM card (Orange, SFR, Free, Bouygues) or an eSIM offer with calls/texts included (Orange Travel) is more suitable.
- You are travelling through several European countries: Europe plans (Holafly Europe, Orange Travel, Airalo Europe) save you buying a new eSIM at every border.
- You are an EU resident or already have a plan covering Europe: do not pay for an extra eSIM, simply check your roaming conditions before departure.
What to check before you leave
- That your phone is indeed unlocked (an essential condition for any third-party eSIM or SIM).
- The amount of data you actually need: to browse, use GPS and social media over a typical day in Paris, 1 to 2 GB per day is generally enough for everyday use without heavy video streaming.
- The exact prices at the time of purchase, as they change often (promotions, product range changes).
To plan your journeys once connected in Paris, see our guide to the metro and RER in Paris and our comparison Navigo or Paris Visite.
