France phone code +33: mobile format & how to dial

Key facts

International code+33

International format+33 X XX XX XX XXe.g. +33 6 12 34 56 78

Mobile prefixesX XX XX XX XXe.g. 6 12 34 56 78

Mobile length9 digits

Landline format0X XX XX XX XX

Domestic trunk0

How to read a number

+33612345678

+33Country code: France.
6Mobile prefix (example): Written 06 domestically — 0 is the trunk prefix, dropped when dialling from abroad. French mobile numbers start 06 or 07.
12345678Remaining 8 digits: Subscriber number. A French mobile number is 10 digits nationally (including the leading 0), written in pairs: 06 12 34 56 78.

Domestic format: 06 12 34 56 78. ARCEP allocates numbers to operators in small blocks (1,000 numbers per block since July 2023, previously 10,000), so the prefix doesn’t reveal the operator — look up the first 4–6 digits in ARCEP’s numbering database.

This section checked 2026-09-16. Sources: www.arcep.fr/la-regulation/grands-dossiers-thematiques-transverses/la-numerotation.html · www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/ressources-en-numerotation-telephonique

Number ranges & quality

Range	Type	Notes
`Starts with 06 / 07 (10 digits nationally)`	Mobile carrier	French mobile ranges; allocated in small blocks, so a number doesn’t reveal its operator — check the first 4–6 digits in ARCEP’s numbering database.

Intl SMSStable

Virtual-number riskLow

ID requiredIdentification is required, including for prepaid; foreigners can generally use a passport.

Physical SIMs can sign up without issues.

Carriers & prefixes

Mobile prefixes by carrier.

Number portability applies — a prefix only shows the original carrier. ARCEP: you keep your number when switching operators and the old operator may not charge for it; dial 3179 for your 12-character RIO code, and porting takes a minimum of 3 business days (not Sundays or public holidays).

Orange Mobile carrier

Owner: Orange S.A.
SFR Mobile carrier

Owner: Altice France
Bouygues Telecom Mobile carrier

Owner: Bouygues group
Free Mobile Mobile carrier

Owner: Iliad

This section checked 2026-09-16. Sources: www.arcep.fr/la-regulation/grands-dossiers-thematiques-transverses/la-numerotation.html · www.arcep.fr/mes-demarches-et-services/consommateurs/fiches-pratiques/comment-conserver-mon-numero-fixe-ou-mobile-lors-dun-changement-doperateur.html · www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/ressources-en-numerotation-telephonique

SIM cards & keeping a number

In France the usual keep-number choice is Free Mobile’s €2/month plan — a no-commitment monthly contract, not prepaid.

Two things previously unverified are now confirmed in Free’s official price brochure (in force from 21 July 2026): • outside the EU and overseas departments the €2 plan needs the Travel option (Option Voyage), activated in your account before you travel, before calls or SMS work; • China appears in the per-country table: sending an SMS from China costs €0.27 and data €9.70 per MB (expensive — turn data off); the call row carries several prices, and the table’s column headers weren’t machine-readable, so check page 22 of the brochure; • the brochure’s section on SMS, MMS and internet abroad states that received SMS are not charged.

Still unresolved is payment: Free user forums say the site accepts only French bank accounts, but Free bills by SEPA direct debit and no official clause saying “French IBAN only” was found — ask support before signing up from abroad.

On prepaid, Orange’s Mobicarte keeps the line valid through top-ups. Every operator requires identification; foreigners can generally use a passport.

Free Mobile €2 plan

Number-keeping SIM

Network: Free Mobile
Price: Official: €2/month (€0 for Freebox subscribers) with 50MB data, 2 hours of calls and unlimited SMS/MMS in France; the 50MB and 2 hours also work in the EU and overseas departments
Keeping the number: Monthly, no commitment — keep paying to keep the number
ID check: A monthly contract needing an account that can be debited by SEPA; user forums say the site accepts only French IBANs, but no official clause was found — ask support before signing up from abroad
SMS & calls: Free’s official brochure (21 July 2026): outside the EU and overseas departments the €2 plan needs the Travel option activated before travel; the brochure states received SMS are not charged; in the per-country table China is €0.27 per SMS sent and €9.70 per MB of data, with call prices on page 22. A third-party site says first activation of the Travel option requires a €10 card advance

Pros

A carrier number kept for €2/month
No commitment

Watch out

The Travel option must be activated before you leave, or SMS won’t arrive
Data in China costs €9.70/MB — suitable only for receiving SMS
Whether a foreign bank account is accepted isn’t stated officially

Where to buy: mobile.free.fr

Sources: mobile.free.fr/fiche-forfait-2-euros · mobile.free.fr/docs/bt/tarifs.pdf · assistance.free.fr/articles/les-tarifs-de-vos-communications-a-letranger-1464 · selectra.info/telecom/fournisseurs/free/option-voyage · forumfreemobile.fr/viewtopic.php?t=11438

Orange Mobicarte prepaid

Number-keeping SIM

Network: Orange
Price: SIM from about €2.99; credit validity depends on the top-up (about 6 days for €5, 365 days for €100)
Keeping the number: Per French news sites summarising Orange’s February 2026 price document: the line is valid 6 months after purchase; each top-up extends it by 6 months after the credit expires (a €5 top-up adds only 1 month). With zero credit you can still receive calls while the line is valid.
ID check: Identification must be completed in the customer account, otherwise the line is suspended after 2 months of inactivity (per the same summaries); foreigners can generally use a passport
SMS & calls: A normal French number; see Orange for roaming rates

Pros

Prepaid — no French bank account needed

Watch out

Rules come from summaries of the official document, not checked against the original
A €5 top-up extends validity by only 1 month

Where to buy: boutique.orange.fr

Sources: www.handicapzero.org/fileadmin/user_upload/telechargement/PDF_ACCESSIBLES/ORANGE/HdCZ_ORANGE_Les-offres-Mobicarte.pdf · livebox-news.com/orange-france-telecom/mobile/carte-prepayee-mobicarte · www.echosdunet.net/orange/forfait-mobile/carte-prepayee

From user and blogger reports; platform risk rules change often — treat as a guide only. This section checked 2026-09-16.

Sign-up availability

What to expect when signing up for these services with a physical SIM from this country:

ChatGPT Works

Claude Works

WhatsApp Works

Telegram Works

LINE Works

WeChat Works

X Works

TikTok Works

Gemini Works

Jump to another country

Calling France from abroad

Dial +33, then the local number. Drop the leading trunk prefix 0.

Generate the full number →

Dialing within France

For domestic long distance dial 0 first, then the area code. Local calls and mobiles: dial directly.

Elsewhere in Europe

Community tips

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Common premise & disclaimer

Applies to every platform: VoIP / virtual numbers and heavily-reused number pools get rejected. Physical SIM only.

Checked 2026-09-12. Platform region policies and number-range allocations change — always confirm against each platform’s official supported-regions list and the carrier’s notices.

Sources：help.openai.com/articles/7947663 · support.google.com/gemini?p=gemini_web_availability

France +33