Why you need a French number
A French mobile number (+33) is not optional fluff. Official portals (ANEF for titre de séjour, Ameli, often CAF and banks) send SMS one-time codes. Landlords and agencies expect a reachable French number. Without one, appointments and account recovery stall.
eSIM, prepaid, or contract
| Option | Best for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| eSIM / digital prepaid | Day-one arrival, no shop visit | Phone must support eSIM; confirm SMS works |
| Prepaid physical SIM | Any phone, supermarket pickup | Top up before codes expire; keep the packaging/ID |
| Student / postpaid contract | Longer stay, bigger data | Often needs RIB + ID; harder on day one |
Major operators (Orange, SFR, Bouygues, Free) and MVNOs all work if the number is French and receives SMS. Pick speed first; you can switch later.
What you need first
- Passport or ID — shops and online signup usually ask for it.
- A working smartphone — unlocked if you bring one from abroad.
- Payment — card is fine for most prepaid/eSIM; contracts often want a French RIB.
- Proof of address — sometimes asked for contracts; less often for simple prepaid.
Get a number in week one
- Decide eSIM vs physical SIM based on your phone.
- Buy or activate a French prepaid / eSIM plan (airport, supermarket, or online).
- Install the SIM/eSIM, enable mobile data, and send yourself a test SMS.
- Use that number when creating ANEF, Ameli, bank, and CAF accounts.
- Keep the number topped up — dead prepaid lines break 2FA.
Common traps
- Roaming-only — your home SIM abroad may receive some SMS, but many French systems expect a French number.
- Data-only eSIMs — some travel eSIMs have no French number / no SMS. Avoid those for admin.
- Signing a 24-month contract on day one — fine later; unnecessary if you only need OTP reliability now.
- Losing access — if you change numbers, update every portal or you lock yourself out.
Wrong order blocks everything else
Bank → phone → Ameli → titre → CAF is a dependency chain. Answer three questions and get your sequence — with a live titre deadline and a guide for each step.
Build my roadmap →Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my home-country number?
For friends, yes. For French admin, usually no — ANEF, Ameli, banks and many landlords send SMS to a French (+33) number. Keep both if you want.
Do I need a French bank account first?
Not always for prepaid or eSIM. Contracts and some postpaid plans often want a RIB. If you need a number on day one, start prepaid/eSIM, then upgrade later.
Will WhatsApp count?
No. Portals and banks need SMS to a French mobile. Messaging apps don't replace that.
eSIM or physical SIM?
Either works if the number is French and receives SMS. eSIM is faster if your phone supports it; otherwise buy a prepaid SIM in a supermarket or operator shop.