Getting a French number and tips for tackling spam calls

Getting a French phone number

France has some of the lowest mobile phone charges in Europe, largely due to the arrival of Free Mobile on the market in 2012 with bold, no-contract offers priced at under €20 per month.

Its success prompted major telecoms operators Orange, SFR and Bouygues to introduce their own low-cost brands to compete with Sosh, Red and B&You.

Many other operators make up what are known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), including La Poste Mobile, NRJ Mobile and Auchan Telecom, among others. These providers lease capacity from the larger operators’ networks and typically offer competitively priced SIM-only plans with no long-term contract.

Most still use physical SIM cards, although eSIMs are available from some providers.

Several MVNOs – including Lebara Mobile and Lycamobile – specifically target expatriates and international users by offering low-cost international calls and competitive roaming rates, often with English-language customer support. However, they may not always offer more advanced services such as integration with certain smart devices.

To access SIM-only deals you need an unlocked phone. If you are bringing a device from the UK, make sure it is not tied to a particular network.

SIM-only deals are widely available from tabacs, supermarkets and electronics shops, or can be purchased online.

Whichever option you choose, you can keep your existing French number when changing operator or contract through a process known as portabilité du numéro. Make sure the new provider knows you want to transfer your number.

Network coverage in France

The telecoms regulator Arcep provides an online map showing mobile network coverage across France.

However, the regulator has previously urged operators to reflect more accurately the real-world quality of their coverage.

According to Arcep, “very good” 4G coverage in August 2025 stood at:

• Bouygues: 94%

• Orange: 91%

• SFR: 86%

• Free: 77%

5G networks are widely available in major cities and many medium-sized towns, with coverage gradually expanding into rural areas.

Consumer group UFC-Que Choisir has long highlighted disparities in speed within official coverage zones. Some operators also rely on roaming agreements with other networks in areas where their own infrastructure is limited, which can lead to slower speeds when carrying out bandwidth-heavy tasks such as streaming.

Independent apps can help measure network performance in your area. These include nPerf, 5GMark and OpenSignal, which combine operator data with user feedback and crowdsourced coverage maps.

Can I still use my UK number?

If you bring a phone from the UK and want to continue using your UK number, many mobile providers offer international roaming packages that allow you to use your plan abroad.

However, roaming costs and limits vary significantly between operators, particularly since the end of EU roaming rules for UK networks.

Depending on your phone model, you may also be able to use both a UK and a French number on the same device.

Many recent smartphones support dual SIMs or multiple eSIMs, allowing you to keep your UK number active while using a French SIM-only plan for everyday calls and data.

‘Ping call’ scams and premium-rate numbers

Phone scams are common in France, as elsewhere. One frequent example is the “ping call” – where the phone rings once and stops, or a message asks you to call a number that turns out to be a high-cost premium line.

Two main systems exist to help tackle the issue:

• a telecoms industry alert centre where users can report suspicious numbers

• regulations limiting the tariffs that can be charged for premium numbers

Anyone who receives a ping call encouraging them to call a 10-digit number starting with 08, a six-digit number starting with 118, or a four-digit number beginning with 3 or 10, can report it by sending a text with the word “spamvocal” followed by the number to 33700, or by reporting it via 33700.fr.

Understanding special phone numbers

Arcep has made all calls to 0800 numbers free. It also uses a colour-code system to make charges for other special numbers clearer by separating the cost of the call from the cost of the service.

Green numbers (numéros verts) Free calls to free services from both landlines and mobile phones. These start 0800 to 0805.

Grey numbers (numéros gris) The service itself is free, but the call is charged at the normal rate. These start 0806 to 0809.

Purple numbers (numéros violets) These are premium-rate services. The call is charged at the normal rate, and an additional fee is charged for the service itself. These typically begin 081, 082 or 089.

Charges per call must not exceed €3, and charges based on duration cannot exceed €0.80 per minute (except for directory enquiry numbers beginning with 118).

If you want to check the cost of a special number, you can enter it into the official lookup tool online.

Connexion tip

France has a national reporting number – 33700 – designed to help tackle spam calls and messages.

If you receive a spam SMS, you can forward the message to 33700. You will receive a reply asking for the number the message came from.

If you receive an unwanted voicemail asking you to call a premium-rate number, send the text:

spamvocal [number]

For example: spamvocal 0899123456

This helps the authorities track and block fraudulent numbers.