Par In brief
- To dial France from abroad, use +33 and drop the leading 0 of the French number: 06 12 34 56 78 becomes +33 6 12 34 56 78.
- The cheapest option is almost always a free internet app (WhatsApp, FaceTime, Messenger) when both people are online.
- To reach someone offline, an international add-on from your own carrier or a VoIP/calling app usually beats default roaming rates.
- French mobile numbers (06/07) can cost more than landlines (01-05) from some foreign carriers, so always check your own price list.
How to dial a French number from abroad
France's country code is +33. Whatever method you use, the dialing logic is the same: add the country code and remove the first 0 of the national number.
- Start with +33 (on most phones you can type + by holding the 0 key; otherwise use your country's exit code, 00 from the UK or 011 from the USA).
- Drop the leading 0 of the French number.
- Dial the remaining 9 digits: 0612345678 becomes +33 6 12 34 56 78, and 0142000000 becomes +33 1 42 00 00 00.
French landline vs mobile: does it cost more?
French numbers starting with 01 to 05 are landlines, while 06 and 07 are mobiles. The dialing format is identical, but the price is not always the same. Many foreign carriers and some calling cards charge a higher per-minute rate for calls to French mobiles than to French landlines, because mobile termination fees are higher.
If you have a choice, calling a landline can be cheaper. The good news: with internet apps and most VoIP services, the landline-versus-mobile distinction disappears or shrinks. Whatever method you pick, check your provider's own rate sheet rather than assuming a flat price.
The cheapest methods to call France, compared
There is no single best method for everyone. The table below lines up the main options so you can match one to your situation at a glance.
| Method | Cost | Requires | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free internet apps (WhatsApp, Messenger, FaceTime, Skype) | Free (uses data/WiFi) | Both people online with the same app | Friends and family who are also connected |
| VoIP / calling apps (Skype Credit, Google Voice, Viber Out) | Low per-minute or small credit top-up | Internet on your side only | Reaching someone offline (landline or mobile) |
| International add-on / pass from your home carrier | Fixed monthly or per-pass fee | Your normal SIM and signal | Regular callers who prefer a normal phone call |
| eSIM / local French SIM | Variable (local rates, often very low) | A compatible phone, you travelling to France | Trips to France where calls within France are local |
| Prepaid calling cards | Low, but watch connection fees | Any phone, an access number | Occasional calls without a smartphone or data |
A quick note on each: free apps cost nothing but only work if your contact uses the same app and is online. VoIP services let you ring any French landline or mobile for a few cents a minute while only your side needs internet. A carrier international pass keeps things simple with a normal call, but rates and bundled minutes vary widely. An eSIM or local SIM shines when you are physically in France, turning your calls into cheap local ones (see our guide to SIM cards in France). Calling cards can be cheap per minute but often hide connection or daily fees, so read the small print.
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Pros and cons of each method
Beyond the headline cost, each option has practical trade-offs worth knowing before you commit.
Internet apps and VoIP
- Apps are free and offer HD voice and video, but both parties need the app and a connection.
- VoIP credit reaches any French number even when your contact has no app, usually at a fraction of roaming rates.
- Both depend on stable WiFi or mobile data; call quality drops on a weak connection.
Carrier passes, eSIMs and calling cards
- A home-carrier international pass is the most hassle-free if you call France often; just confirm whether French mobiles are included.
- An eSIM or local SIM is the cheapest route when you are travelling to France, since your calls become local rather than international.
- Prepaid calling cards need no smartphone and no data, but compare the real cost once connection fees are added.
If you are heading to France yourself, our guides on phone plans in France and internet in France explain how to get set up locally, and you can compare current offers with our mobile plan comparison tool.
Which method for which situation?
Use this short decision guide to settle on the right option:
- Calling a friend or relative who is online: use a free app like WhatsApp or FaceTime — it costs nothing.
- Reaching a French landline, business or someone offline: use a VoIP service such as Skype Credit or Google Voice for low per-minute rates.
- You call France regularly: add an international pass to your home plan so a normal phone call stays predictable.
- You are travelling to France: get a French eSIM or local SIM so your in-country calls are cheap local calls.
- No smartphone or no data: a prepaid calling card keeps you connected, just watch the connection fees.
Whatever you choose, the dialing format never changes: +33, then the number without its leading 0. Always check your own provider's rates, especially for calls to French mobiles, before placing a long call.
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Frequently asked questions
Dial +33 (or 00 from the UK, 011 from the USA), then drop the leading 0 of the French number. For example, 0612345678 becomes +33 6 12 34 56 78.
If your contact is online, a free internet app like WhatsApp or FaceTime is cheapest. To reach someone offline, a VoIP service or an international add-on from your own carrier usually beats default roaming rates.
It can. Numbers starting 06 or 07 are mobiles, and some foreign carriers charge more for them than for landlines (01-05). Internet apps and VoIP usually remove or reduce that gap. Check your own rate sheet.
An eSIM or local French SIM is mainly worth it if you are travelling to France, because your calls within France become cheap local calls. If you are staying in your home country, a VoIP app or carrier pass is usually more practical.
App-to-app calls are free and only use your internet data or WiFi. The catch is that both people need the same app installed and an active connection. To call a number that has no app, you need VoIP credit instead.