How to Buy a SIM Card in France vs India: A Guide for Indian Expats in the EU
Cheap & Best Mobile Plans, Formalities & Real-Life Scenarios
Navigating the French telecom system can feel daunting, especially for newcomers from India and the Indian subcontinent. Whether you’re a student like Priya from Pune starting her Masters in Lyon, or a software engineer like Ravi from Hyderabad who just relocated to Paris, setting up a mobile connection is among the first and most essential steps to settle in France.
At L’Association Frehindi, we assist Indian and South Asian expats across France and the EU. This guide simplifies the process of getting a SIM card, understanding mobile plans, and dealing with network issues—with real-life examples and important comparisons to the Indian system.
📍 Where Can I Get a SIM Card in France?
Unlike in India, where a SIM card can often be bought from any corner shop with just an Aadhaar or PAN card, France requires more formal documentation.
🛒 Options to Buy a SIM in France:
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Online: Directly from the websites or apps of mobile network operators.
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Offline:
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Telecom boutiques in malls or city centers
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Airport SIM kiosks (convenient for tourists/students)
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Supermarkets and local convenience stores
Example: Priya arrived in Paris on a Sunday. Most telecom stores were closed, and her airport SIM didn’t work well. At our helpdesk in Lyon, we guided her to buy a plan from RED by SFR online the next day using her passport and récépissé.
🔄 Mobile Number Portability (Portabilité du Numéro)
In France, porting your number from one operator to another is free and straightforward, unlike the often bureaucratic delays in India.
How to Port a Number in France:
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Call 3179 from your existing number to get your RIO code (Relevé d’Identité Opérateur).
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Share this code with your new operator.
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The new provider takes care of the rest—no need to visit stores or submit multiple forms.
Scenario: Ravi initially signed up with a local operator who had poor coverage in the suburbs. Frustrated with dropped calls, he contacted our volunteers, and we helped him switch to Sosh by Orange using the RIO code process—no calls to customer care, no physical store visits.
📱 Cheap and Best Mobile Plans in France (2024)
While India offers some of the world’s cheapest data plans, France balances price with quality and coverage. Here are recommended low-cost plans ideal for students, professionals, and families:
🔹 RED by SFR
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Network: SFR
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No contract (sans engagement)
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Great value for calls, SMS, and high-speed data
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Website: red-by-sfr.fr
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Referral Code: REDCB7C348 – get €15 welcome offer!
Our volunteer Neha from Delhi, a student in Toulouse, has been using RED by SFR for 3 years and recommends it for its easy account management in English.
🔹 Sosh by Orange
🔹 B&YOU by Bouygues Telecom
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Low-cost brand of Bouygues Telecom
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Contract-free plans, very economical
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Great for urban users with solid coverage
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Website: bouyguestelecom.fr
🔹 Free Mobile
Note: Lycamobile and Lebara are often marketed to expats, but they do not own networks in France. Lyca uses Bouygues, and Lebara uses SFR infrastructure. For better control and customer service, we recommend going with primary network operators.
🗂️ Documents Required to Buy a SIM Card in France
Unlike India, where digital KYC (with Aadhaar or biometric) suffices, in France, you must present these three essentials:
✅ 1. Proof of Identity
✅ 2. Proof of Address in France
Acceptable documents include:
✅ 3. French Bank Account (RIB)
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Required to set up automatic monthly payments
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The account must be in your name
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Some operators allow prepaid recharge, but plans with RIB offer better value
Common Challenge: Akash from Jaipur couldn’t get a SIM because his name wasn’t on the electricity bill. Our team at L’Association Frehindi helped him draft an attestation d’hébergement from his landlord and guided him to open a N26 or Hello Bank account, both of which are France-friendly online banks.
🇮🇳 Comparison: India vs France – SIM Card Rules
| Feature |
India |
France (EU) |
| Documentation |
Aadhaar/PAN, 1 photo |
Passport, French residence card, proof of address, French RIB |
| Availability |
Local shops, online, metro kiosks |
Online, telecom boutiques, airports, supermarkets |
| Portability |
Takes days, sometimes long paperwork |
Simple via 3179 and RIO code |
| Popular Networks |
Jio, Airtel, Vi |
Orange, SFR, Bouygues, Free Mobile |
| Price |
Extremely low |
Higher, but stable quality |
| Commitment |
Mostly prepaid |
Many “no contract” (sans engagement) options available |
📝 Final Thoughts
Buying a SIM card in France may seem like a small task, but for many Indian and South Asian expats, it often becomes the first real test of navigating a new system abroad. From stricter documentation to understanding unfamiliar terms like sans engagement or RIO code, the experience can be confusing without proper guidance.
That’s where L’Association Frehindi steps in—to bridge the gap between Indian simplicity and European formalities. We’ve helped hundreds like Priya, Ravi, Neha, and Akash face these everyday challenges confidently, and we’re here for you too.
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a family member settling in France or elsewhere in the EU, remember:
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Choose a reliable mobile plan with good coverage where you live or work.
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Keep essential documents ready—especially your French address proof and RIB.
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Reach out to us if you’re stuck—we can guide, connect, and even help draft documents when needed.
With the right information and a little support, your transition to life in France can be smoother and less stressful. Let your journey begin with the first call—on a SIM card that works for you.
Stay connected. Stay informed. Stay empowered.
L’Association Frehindi – With you at every step, under the patronage of the Indian Embassy in Paris and Indian missions across the EU.
📲Let’s Stay in Touch
💬 Join our WhatsApp community for Indian expats in France — a trusted space for real-time questions, support, and shared experiences.
📞 Connect directly at +33 6 27 92 43 98 for personalized guidance.
📘 Like our Facebook page: facebook.com/assofrehindi for daily updates and useful info.
📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel “Indians in France” for legal, cultural, and lifestyle guidance.
🇮🇳🤝🇫🇷
With Frehindi by your side, navigating life across borders becomes a little easier — and a lot more reassuring.
Warm regards,
Haru Mehra
President,
L’Association Frehindi
A not-for-profit association under French Law 1901
📧 haru@frehindi.com | 🌍 www.frehindi.org | 📞 +33 6 27 92 43 98
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