Going abroad with Free Mobile is easy: no Pass to buy, everything is already included in your package. With 35 GB available in 117 destinations, Free is one of the most generous plans on the French market for travelers. But is this really an advantage over other options, notably the eSIMs ?
🚩Complete list of Free's 117 countries abroad :
Metropolitan France, French overseas departments, European Union.
Middle East : Northern Cyprus, Israel, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.
Rest of Europe : Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Northern Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, Moldova, Norway, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City, Wight.
Africa : Algeria, Comoros, Egypt, Madagascar, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zanzibar.
Americas : Alaska, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hawaii, Honduras, Mexico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, United States.
Asia-Oceania : Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Palau, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.
How much does it really cost?
Unlike Bouygues, which sells separate Passes, Free includes international roaming directly in its packages:
The €19.99/month package includes 35 GB of monthly usage from over 117 destinations at no extra charge. There's no need to buy a Pass before each trip, as everything is automatic as soon as you arrive in a covered country. Free you will have to buy a €10 eSIM in addition to the package (⚠️⚠️)
Where does it really work?
Free Mobile covers 117 destinations with its €19.99 5G package:
Europe and French overseas departments
All European Union countries are included, as well as the UK, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and French overseas departments. Calls are unlimited to Metropolitan France, the French overseas departments and the whole of Europe from these destinations.
Americas
USA, Canada, Alaska with unlimited calls/SMS/MMS to France and the visited country. Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and several other destinations are also covered for data.
Asia-Pacific
China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand. For certain countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and South Africa, you benefit from unlimited calls/SMS/MMS.
Africa
South Africa, Senegal, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and many other destinations.
Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Serbia, Montenegro, Belarus, Macedonia, Moldavia, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan.
How does it work?
If you are already a Free customer with the €19.99 5G package You don't have to do a thing - it's automatic. As soon as you arrive in one of the 117 countries covered, your phone connects to the local network and your 35 GB of monthly usage becomes available. The 35 GB are shared between your use in France and abroad.
If you have the €2 Free package You'll only have 50 MB/month for use in Europe and the French overseas departments. To travel elsewhere, you'll need to upgrade to the €19.99 5G package or opt for an eSIM.
If you are not a Free customer To take advantage of these benefits, you need to take out a mobile subscription with Free. The €19.99/month 5G package without commitment is your only option if you want to benefit from 117 destinations.
Limits to be aware of
Free specifies that this package is reserved for subscribers residing in mainland France or with a stable link to France, subject to reasonable usage. You cannot go abroad for 6 months at a time with your Free package. Beyond the 35 GB envelope, each additional MB may be billed at between €7.50 and €9.70, depending on the destination.
Free vs Bouygues: the match
Free offers more data (35 GB vs. 3 GB) and costs less if you travel regularly. Bouygues, on the other hand, allows you to buy a one-off Pass without changing operator, which is better suited to occasional travelers who already subscribe elsewhere.
Free vs eSIM providers: who wins?
When should you choose Free?
- You travel regularly (several times a year)
- You need to keep your French number active to receive calls and SMS messages.
- You use between 10 and 35 GB per month when travelling
- You mainly visit Europe, French overseas departments, North America or Asia
When should you choose an eSIM (Ubigi, Saily, Yesim)?
- You're going away for several months at a time (Free limits continuous use abroad)
- You need more than 35 GB/month
- Your destination is not in the 117 countries covered
- You don't want to change French operator
- Looking for country-specific packages at competitive prices?
For data-hungry, long-haul travelers, eSIMs often offer unlimited or 50-100 GB packages at attractive rates. On the other hand, Free remains unbeatable for regular travelers who want an all-in-one solution without the hassle.
What if my country isn't in the list of Free's overseas packages?
Despite the 117 destinations covered by Free, some countries remain excluded. In these cases, eSIM providers such as Ubigi, Saily or Yesim offer data packages in virtually every country in the world. Installation takes just a few minutes on your eSIM-compatible smartphone, with no need to cancel your Free subscription or change your physical SIM card.
The story of Meilleure-e-sim.fr began with a frustration: finding a reliable internet connection abroad without blowing the budget. As a digital nomad, I tested dozens of eSIMs on my travels, from Asia to South America, to stay connected. I soon realized that what was missing was a comprehensive comparison based on real tests and real opinions. That's how this site was born. Our mission is simple: to help you find the perfect eSIM for your travel needs, to save you money and simplify your life.
