France eSIM: France plan or Europe plan?
For most trips to France the choice is simple: a France plan if you stay in France, a regional plan if you cross a border. France has more borders worth crossing than most, from Geneva to Monaco to the Eurostar, so this post is about drawing that line for your route.
France only: take the France plan
Paris for a week, a loop through the Loire, or a month in Provence. If every night is in France, the France eSIM is the plan to start with. Regional coverage you never use is not worth paying for. Compare the per-GB figures on the France page with the Europe page if you want to be sure.
Networks, the plan ladder and a trip-by-usage table are already in the France eSIM guide, with city detail for Paris, Nice and Strasbourg.
The borders that change the answer
Geneva and the Alps
Chamonix sits a short drive from Geneva, and the airport serves both countries. Many ski and hiking trips end up on the Swiss side for a flight, a lift or dinner. Switzerland is not in the EU, so the EU & UK eSIM does not cover it. The Europe eSIM does at the time of writing. If Switzerland is on your list, even for a day, that settles it.
The Riviera and Monaco
From Nice, Monaco is a short train ride. Monaco has its own page in our catalog and does not appear on the Europe coverage list at the time of writing, so check the Monaco page if you will spend real time there. Italy is close too: Ventimiglia and the Ligurian coast are easy day trips, and both the EU & UK and Europe plans cover Italy.
Strasbourg and the Rhine
Strasbourg looks across the river at Germany, and the Alsace wine route runs close to the border. A France plan alone leaves you without data on the German side. Either regional plan covers both.
London and Brussels by train
Paris pairs naturally with London or Brussels. Both are on the EU & UK list. For a Paris and London trip, the EU & UK plan is the clean choice.
The Pyrenees and Andorra
Spain is covered by both regional plans. Andorra is not on the Europe coverage list at the time of writing; check the Andorra page if it is part of your trip.
A simple rule
- Only France: France plan.
- France plus EU countries or the UK: EU & UK.
- France plus Switzerland, or anything outside the EU and UK: Europe.
The longer version, with every border that falls between the plans, is in Europe, EU & UK or one country.
Sizing it for France
We use the same daily rates as our recommender: 0.2 GB for maps and messaging, 0.5 GB for socials and photos, 1.3 GB for streaming or hotspot, plus 15% headroom.
- A Paris long weekend, 4 days of socials: 2 GB, about 2.3 GB with headroom.
- A week driving through Provence on maps and messaging: 1.4 GB, about 1.6 GB with headroom. Driving days lean on maps, so round up if you will navigate all day.
- Two weeks with a laptop on the phone's connection: 18.2 GB, about 21 GB with headroom. Most plans allow sharing, but it depends on the local network, so check the plan details before you rely on it.
More examples are in how much data you need.
Visiting from outside the EU
If you are coming from the US, Canada, the UK or elsewhere, your carrier sets its own roaming terms, and a travel eSIM gives you a fixed allowance for the trip. See eSIM vs roaming for the trade.
Before you fly
Pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay or card, then install from the link (iPhone) or QR code on the install page. Do it at home on Wi-Fi; the plan starts when your phone first connects in France, not at purchase. Keep your home line on for calls and texts, and switch data to the eSIM. Step by step: iPhone or Android.
Questions
Is a France eSIM or a Europe eSIM better for Paris?
If you stay in France, the France plan. If you add London, Brussels or another EU stop, the EU & UK plan. If Switzerland is on the route, the Europe plan.
Does the France plan work in Monaco?
Monaco is a separate destination in our catalog, so don't count on the France plan there. Check the Monaco page if you will spend time in Monaco.
Do I need an eSIM if my phone plan is from the EU?
Often not, since EU roam-like-at-home rules apply in France. Check your plan's fair-use terms. A travel eSIM helps if your allowance is small or your plan is from outside the EU.
When does the France plan start?
When your phone first connects to a network in France, not when you buy it. Install it at home on Wi-Fi beforehand.