Do I pay extra to use my phone in other EU countries with a plan from France?
In the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and since 1 January 2026 in Ukraine and Moldova, your calls, texts and mobile data are charged as at home ('roam like at home'), within your plan's allowances.
With a plan from an operator in the EU or EEA, calls, texts and data in other EU and EEA countries are generally charged as at home, within fair-use limits. Other rules apply to plans from other countries; what applies with a plan from France is below.
📜 The rules in France
The details
- Operators may set a fair-use limit on roaming data only for unlimited plans, plans with a very low price per gigabyte, or prepaid offers; beyond the guaranteed volume, a surcharge capped by EU rules can apply. (arcep.fr)
- At each border crossing your operator must send you a free text with its prices and a message on how to reach emergency services free of charge on 112. (arcep.fr)
- If over at least 4 months you spend more days and use more services abroad than in France, the operator may warn you; after 15 days without change, it can add a capped surcharge. (arcep.fr)
- The same rules apply between mainland France, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Réunion, Mayotte, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon (Article L34-10 of the CPCE). (arcep.fr)
Arcep – J'alerte l'Arcep
Report a problem with your operator. Arcep uses these alerts to act on the market but does not settle individual disputes.
🪜 Step by step
- Check your plan before you travelSee which countries your plan treats like home and whether it has a separate data allowance abroad.
- Read the welcome messageWhen you arrive, your operator usually sends a message with the prices and limits that apply.
- Watch the fair-use limitUnlimited or very large data plans can have a smaller allowance abroad. Above it, a surcharge can apply.
- Take care on ships, planes and near bordersThere your phone can connect to a network outside the usual roaming rules. Switch off roaming or use flight mode when in doubt.
📇 Who to contact
❓ Questions
What does fair use mean?
Operators may limit roaming at home prices to normal travel, not living abroad for good, and may cap data abroad on very large plans.
Which countries count as home?
That depends on your plan and on where your operator is based. The rules for France are on this page.
Are calls back home free?
Calls home usually cost the same as at home when roaming at home prices applies. Calls to other countries can cost extra.
📎 Sources
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