France +33
To call France from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 33, then the local number without its leading 0. In full: +33 6 12 34 56 78.
The country calling code for France is +33. A number starting +33 or 0033 is a call to or from France. From abroad: +33 6 12 34 56 78.
To call France from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 33, then the local number without its leading 0. The +33 code identifies the country; the following digits identify the line (landline or mobile).
How to call France from abroad
011 33 6 12 34 56 7800 33 6 12 34 56 780011 33 6 12 34 56 78+33 6 12 34 56 786 12 34 56 78 is a real-format France mobile number (example from the ITU-T numbering plan): replace it with the number you were given, without its leading 0.
France area codes
When calling a landline in France, dial the city area code after +33 (without its leading 0):
| City | Area code | Full dial |
|---|---|---|
| Paris | 1 | +33 1 … |
| Marseille | 4 | +33 4 … |
| Lyon | 4 | +33 4 … |
| Toulouse | 5 | +33 5 … |
| Lille | 3 | +33 3 … |
| Bordeaux | 5 | +33 5 … |
Number format
01 23 45 67 89from abroad+33 1 23 45 67 8906 12 34 56 78from abroad+33 6 12 34 56 78Landline numbers in France have 9 digits after the country code; mobile numbers have 9 digits. The national prefix 0 is only dialled inside the country — drop it after +33.
Calling abroad from France
To call another country from France, dial the exit code 00 (or + on a mobile), then the country code, then the number. From France to the United States, for example: 00 1 201 555 0123.
A France number in international format is written +33 …. The + stands for the exit prefix (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America). Switching to international format, drop the leading 0.
Cheapest ways to call France
With internet on both ends, apps like WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call France for free. To reach a number without an app, VoIP services are usually cheaper than your operator’s international rate.
Frequently asked questions
What country has the code +33?
France has the country calling code +33.
How do I call France from the United States?
Dial 011, then 33, then the local number without its leading 0 — for example 011 6 12 34 56 78.
What does +33 mean?
It is the international dialing code for France. The + stands for your exit code (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America).
Is +33 mobile or landline?
The +33 code identifies the country, not the line type; France landlines and mobiles share it.
A country code covers a whole nation; the full number depends on the city and operator.
Mobile networks in France
4 mobile network operators run their own networks in France. The largest is Orange, with about 27.5 million subscribers (Q2 2025). Pick the one with the best coverage where you will spend most of your time.
formerly Orange-Itineris, Itineris
Owned by Orange S.A.
Owned by Altice France
Owned by Bouygues Group (90.53%), JCDecaux (9,47%)
Owned by Iliad
- 3G has been switched off on Free Mobile. A phone that only works on 3G will get no data there and may not be able to call: check that yours supports 4G with voice (VoLTE) before you go.
- Planned switch-offs: Orange (2G, 2026-12-31); Orange (3G, 2028-12-31 (est.)); SFR (2G, 2026-12-31); SFR (3G, 2028 (est.)).
- 4G/5G frequency bands used in France: 5G 2100, 5G 3500, 5G 700, LTE 1800, LTE 2100, LTE 2600, LTE 700, LTE 800. Most recent smartphones cover them; older or regional models may miss some.
- Moving there? Mobile number portability has existed since 2003-06-30, a transfer takes about 3 day(s) and costs free.
Also available: virtual operators (MVNOs) that rent capacity on these networks — Onoff Telecom, Nexera, SFR, 1Global Operations France, Sierra Wireless, LycaMobile, NRJ Mobile, Coriolis Telecom, AIF, Cubic télécom France.
Operators, subscriber counts, network codes and switch-off dates: Wikipedia (lists of mobile network operators, mobile network codes, 2G/3G phase-out, mobile number portability), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Figures come from each operator or regulator at the date shown.
Getting a SIM card in France
What visitors and new residents need to know before buying a local SIM or eSIM in France, with a source for each point.
Buying a SIM as a visitor
Activation of a prepaid SIM requires a valid identity document since 2016 (national ID card, passport or residence permit); identification is done in store or online.
Source: boutique.orange.fr
Where to buy it
Operator shops, tobacconists (bureaux de tabac), supermarkets (Carrefour, Leclerc, Auchan...), Relay kiosks, and online from operators.
Source: boutique.orange.fr
Getting a monthly contract as a resident
Orange France: valid ID (passport from EU/Switzerland/UK/Andorra/Monaco or a French residence permit), proof of address in metropolitan France, and an IBAN in the subscriber's name from a bank in the SEPA zone; a EUR 265 deposit applies to some other passports.
Source: assistance.orange.fr
Scam calls and texts
Forward spam or fraudulent SMS to 33700 (free) or report on 33700.fr; consumer reports also via SignalConso. Since 11 August 2026 telemarketing calls to consumers are banned without prior consent, and registering on Bloctel is no longer necessary.
Source: service-public.gouv.fr
Emergency numbers
112 (European emergency number), SAMU 15, Police 17, Fire brigade 18, 114 (SMS/app for deaf, hard-of-hearing and aphasic people).
Checked on 28 September 2026 against the sources linked on each card (regulators, government portals and operators first). SIM and ID rules change often: confirm with the operator before you travel.
Mobile plans in France: prices on 28 September 2026
Offers taken from the operators' own websites. Prices change often and promotions end: open the offer before you buy.
For visitors
- 60 GB data · 30 days
- unlimited calls from/to Europe/DOM + 2h calls from Europe/DOM to 118 destinations
- Buy: sfr.fr
- 20 GB data · 30 days
- data only
- Needs: eSIM-compatible phone
- Buy: Online at travel.orange.com (eSIM delivered instantly by email/app)
- 30 GB data · 30 days
- unlimited calls and texts in France and in Europe
- Needs: eSIM-compatible phone (QR code activation)
- Buy: Online at bouyguestelecom.fr (eSIM, instant activation)
For residents
- 150 GB data
- unlimited calls & SMS in metropolitan France (and from/to EU, DOM, Switzerland/Andorra)
- Needs: Identity validation required at identification.prepaye.orange.fr (temporary activation until then); offers reserved to residents or people with a stable link to metropolitan France
- Buy: boutique.orange.fr online; ~50,000 points of sale (tobacconists, Orange shops)
Promotional price or bonus data when we checked: it may have ended.
See the offer on the operator's site- 40 GB data · 31 days
- unlimited calls, SMS & MMS France + EU/DOM
- Needs: Line activation via order tracking then online authentication
- Buy: sfr.fr online; SFR shops, Relay stores, tobacconists, supermarkets
- 60 GB data
- unlimited calls & SMS/MMS in France (calls max 3h each, 200 recipients/month)
- Needs: New customers only, red-by-sfr.fr exclusive
- Buy: red-by-sfr.fr online only
- 20 GB data
- unlimited calls & SMS from/to France metro & DOM; from Europe/DOM to France/Europe/DOM
- Needs: IBAN required for monthly direct debit; no particular document to provide
- Buy: bouyguestelecom.fr online
- 110 GB data
- unlimited calls to France metro & DOM (exc. Mayotte), unlimited SMS/MMS in France
- Needs: No commitment
- Buy: mobile.free.fr online
Promotional price or bonus data when we checked: it may have ended.
See the offer on the operator's sitePrices as displayed on each operator's website on 28 September 2026. We are not paid by the operators listed.
Staying connected in France
With 117 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, almost everyone in France has a mobile — a WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call is usually the easiest way in. Internet use is high (89 %), so app-to-app calls over Wi-Fi are a safe bet.
Source: World Bank / ITU World Telecommunication indicators (IT.CEL.SETS.P2, IT.NET.USER.ZS, IT.MLT.MAIN.P2), latest available year.
Free and premium numbers in France
+33 801 23 45 67Free from inside France (numbers starting with 800–805). From abroad these numbers are often unreachable or charged at the international rate.
+33 891 12 34 56Surcharged services — ranges starting with 836. Do not call back an unknown missed call from such a range: the cost is far above a normal call.
Number ranges: ITU-T national numbering plan for France via Google libphonenumber.
Switzerland +41
Germany +49
Belgium +32
Luxembourg +352
Italy +39
Andorra +376
Monaco +377
Spain +34