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Need help picking the right French SIM in English? Free Selectra advice line for English speakers. We compare Mobicarte, postpaid Orange plans and other French operators for your stay length and budget.
Need help picking the right French SIM in English? Free Selectra advice line for English speakers. We compare Mobicarte, postpaid Orange plans and other French operators for your stay length and budget.
What is a Mobicarte prepaid SIM?
A Mobicarte is Orange's prepaid SIM. Unlike a standard mobile plan, you do not sign a contract, you do not receive a monthly bill and there is no automatic renewal at the end of the period. You pay a single flat price for a 30-day bundle of calls, SMS and mobile data; once the bundle expires, your French line stays open as long as you buy a new bundle before the validity deadline.
Mobicarte is the right choice for:
- Tourists and short-term visitors who need a French phone number for a few weeks.
- New arrivals who do not yet have a French bank account (postpaid Orange plans need a French IBAN; Mobicarte does not).
- Occasional users who only need a small data and call allowance.
- A second SIM for travel, a smartwatch or a kid's first phone.
If you plan to stay in France for several months, a postpaid SIM-only plan usually works out cheaper per month for the same allowance. See the mobile section of our Orange France guide for the postpaid options.
The 4 Mobicarte bundles in 2026
In 2026, Orange sells four Mobicarte bundles, all rechargeable on a monthly basis. The older pay-per-use credit top-ups, as well as the Holiday and Vacances Monde travel passes, have been discontinued: today's Mobicarte line-up is purely a set of monthly all-inclusive bundles.
| Bundle | Calls and SMS | Data | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobicarte Mini | 2 h of calls, unlimited SMS to France | Light data allowance | Backup SIM, second number, very occasional use |
| Mobicarte 150 Go | Unlimited calls and SMS to France | 150 Go in France, EU roaming included | Average user, short or medium stay |
| Mobicarte 200 Go | Unlimited calls and SMS to France | 200 Go in France, EU roaming included | Heavy social media and streaming |
| Mobicarte 300 Go | Unlimited calls and SMS to France | 300 Go in France, EU roaming included | Heavy tethering, hotspot, mobile-first lifestyle |
Exact bundle prices change with current Orange promotions: check the operator's online store for the up-to-date figure before buying.
Heads-up: Mobicarte bundles renew automatically as long as you have enough credit on your account; if you do not top up before the 30-day deadline, the bundle stops and you lose any unused allowance.
Where to buy an Orange Mobicarte
A Mobicarte can be bought through three channels:
- Online, on the Orange website (use Google Chrome to translate the pages if needed). This is usually the cheapest option: the bare Mobicarte SIM is sold from a few euros online versus around 10 € in store.
- In a physical Orange store, with delivery on the spot and an in-person ID check.
- At a licensed retailer: most French tobacconists ("tabacs"), some convenience stores and large supermarkets sell Mobicarte SIMs at the till.
What you need to bring
- A valid ID document: passport, French ID card, residence permit or European national ID card.
- A means of payment (cash or bank card depending on the store). You do not need a French IBAN to buy a Mobicarte.
- An unlocked phone with a free SIM slot. Most phones sold in Europe in the last few years are unlocked by default.
Buying online: what to expect
If you order on the Orange website, the SIM is delivered to your French address within a few business days, usually for free. You will be asked to upload a photo of your ID and a proof of address. Once the SIM arrives, you activate it by following the steps below: the line is live within a few minutes of activation.
Activating your Mobicarte
Once you have the SIM in your phone, activation takes a few minutes:
- Insert the SIM in your unlocked phone and switch it on.
- Make a first call or send a first SMS to any number, even your own. This first action triggers the activation.
- Once activated, your line is live and the validity period of your first bundle starts counting down.
At any time, you can dial 225 for free from your Mobicarte to receive an SMS that displays your French phone number, your remaining bundle allowance and the expiry date of the current 30-day period.
Topping up
When your bundle is about to expire, you renew it by buying the same bundle (or a different one) for the next 30 days. Top-ups can be done:
- On the Orange website or on the Orange et Moi app, by bank card.
- In a tobacconist or convenience store, by cash or card.
- By dialling 225 from your Mobicarte and following the voice menu.
If you do not top up before the bundle expires, your line stays open for a grace period of a few weeks, then it is suspended. After several months without recharge, the number is recycled and you would need a new SIM.
Keeping your number
If you later switch from Mobicarte to a postpaid Orange plan, you can keep your French number. Ask for your RIO code by dialling 3179 for free from the Mobicarte, then give it to the new operator at subscription.
Help with your Mobicarte
If you run into trouble with a Mobicarte, you have several options:
- By phone: dial 3900 from a French line (free with most plans) or +33 9 69 39 39 00 from abroad. The Orange English helpline 09 69 36 39 00 also handles Mobicarte questions.
- Online: the FAQ and the chatbot on orange.fr cover most common issues (SIM not activating, no signal, top-up not credited).
- In an Orange store: useful for SIM swaps and physical issues.
- By post: for formal complaints, send a registered letter to Mobicarte, Service Clients Mobile Orange, 33732 Bordeaux Cedex 9.
For a full overview of every Orange contact channel, see our Orange customer service guide in English.
Our verdict: when is a Mobicarte the right choice?
Mobicarte is the cleanest way to get a French phone number on arrival, with no contract, no French bank account and no minimum stay. The 2026 bundles are well sized: the Mini covers backup needs, the 150 Go and 200 Go bundles fit most everyday users, and the 300 Go is a credible alternative to postpaid for heavy tethering. For stays of more than three or four months, however, the maths tilts towards a SIM-only postpaid Orange plan with no commitment: same network, lower monthly cost, similar allowance. The right move is to start on Mobicarte for the first weeks, open a French bank account, then port your number to a postpaid plan once you are settled.
Need help comparing Mobicarte and postpaid Orange plans?
A Selectra advisor sizes the right French SIM for your stay length and budget, in English, free of charge.
Need help comparing Mobicarte and postpaid Orange plans?
A Selectra advisor sizes the right French SIM for your stay length and budget, in English, free of charge.