What is the best way to top up a French SIM from the UK?
Many providers have a separate number to replenish from abroad
Some UK networks reintroduced charges or restrictions on EU roaming after Brexit
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Reader question: I spend three months a year in France and the rest in England. I have an English mobile (Vodafone), and a French SFR La Carte pay-as-you-go SIM. What is the best way to top up this SFR SIM from England?
It makes sense to buy a French SIM card when spending time in France; it could help you avoid extra costs and mean you can use useful apps for maps, transport or translating, without needing to be on WiFi or worrying about roaming charges.
Some UK networks reintroduced charges or restrictions on EU roaming after Brexit, although policies vary between providers and contracts.
Today, whether you face roaming charges or not depends on your network and your plan. It is always worth checking this before using your phone abroad.
Most French mobile companies offer pay-as-you-go SIM cards, which are ideal for many people who do not live in France full time.
To top up an SFR SIM card from abroad, the company says to call +33 9 70 83 1023 and select ‘recharge’ (‘top up’).
Have your bank card ready and you will be able to pay for your top up over the phone.
SFR clients can also top-up their phone through their client space, using the ‘rechargement’ option.
This should be possible in any country, although you may wish to make sure you are connected to WiFi so you do not consume data (or if you have data roaming off, you will be unable to connect while not on a WiFi network).
Alternatively, you can top-up the phone this way upon arrival in France. Again, use a WiFi network (such as the airport or train station) and log into your account to top-up.
Similar methods should be available for other pay as you go contracts with France’s major telecoms suppliers.
Benefits of getting a French SIM card
Buying a French pre-paid SIM card will give you a number of benefits, including:
A French telephone number (+33) which can be useful for certain administrative, banking, utility and rental procedures
Saving money on potential roaming charges from a UK provider
The flexibility of not having to sign a long-term contract.
Those travelling to France for shorter periods of time might find an eSIM more useful than buying a physical SIM card.
An eSIM can provide temporary access to a French mobile network without requiring you to remove your existing physical SIM card. Depending on the provider, you may be able to keep your existing number active while using French mobile data.
