Saily eSIM for France: plans, prices and honest review (2026)
Saily is a travel eSIM created by Nord Security (the team behind NordVPN) that works in France on 4G/5G networks. It offers data-only prepaid plans for France starting from $3.59, activated instantly via QR code, no physical SIM needed. This page covers all Saily eSIM plans available for France, honest user reviews, compatibility requirements and a step-by-step activation guide.
Saily eSIM for France: at a glance
Plans start at $3.59 for 1 GB / 7 days. All plans are data-only (no calls or SMS but VoIP apps like WhatsApp and FaceTime work normally). Hotspot sharing is included. Use promo code SELECTRA5 for 5% off your first purchase.
Quick verdict
- Good value for short and medium stays in France
- Instant QR code activation before you travel
- Works on most iPhone and Android models released since 2018–2019
- Data-only: no French phone number included
- "Unlimited" plans are throttled after 5 GB/day (then 1 Mbps)
Saily eSIM France: plans and prices
Saily offers two types of plans for France: fixed-data plans (1 GB to 20 GB) and "unlimited" plans (5 GB/day at full speed, then throttled to 1 Mbps). All plans are data-only and support hotspot sharing. Below is a selection of France-specific plans.
🏷️ Use promo code SELECTRA5 for 5% off your first purchase !
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Hotspot | Calls / SMS | Get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France 1 GB | 1 GB | 7 days | $3.59 | ✅ | ❌ | |
| France 3 GB | 3 GB | 30 days | $8.09 | ✅ | ❌ | |
| France 5 GB | 5 GB | 30 days | $10.79 | ✅ | ❌ | |
| France 10 GB | 10 GB | 30 days | $17.99 | ✅ | ❌ | |
| France 20 GB | 20 GB | 30 days | $28.79 | ✅ | ❌ | |
| France UNLIMITED 10 days | 5 GB/day ⚠️ then 1 Mbps | 10 days | $31.49 | ✅ | ❌ | |
| France UNLIMITED 15 days | 5 GB/day ⚠️ then 1 Mbps | 15 days | $44.09 | ✅ | ❌ | |
| France UNLIMITED 20 days | 5 GB/day ⚠️ then 1 Mbps | 20 days | $53.99 | ✅ | ❌ |
Selection of Saily France eSIM plans verified in march of 2026. Plans listed by price, ascending. Prices displayed in USD. Source: saily.com plans. No Selectra commercial partnership — referencing is independent.
Which Saily France plan should you choose?
For a short trip (1–7 days) with light usage (maps, messaging, browsing): the 1 GB / 7-day plan at $3.59 is enough for most travellers. For a medium trip (1–4 weeks) with regular navigation and social media: the 5 GB / 30-day plan at $10.79 hits the sweet spot. For heavy users or remote workers: the 10 GB or 20 GB plans offer the best value per GB. The "Unlimited" plans are worth considering for long trips only if you stream video frequently, but note that speeds are throttled to 1 Mbps after 5 GB/day, which is sufficient for browsing but not for HD streaming.
All Saily eSIM plans for France have a 30-day activation window from the date of purchase. The plan itself only starts counting down once you activate it, so you can buy in advance without losing validity days.
Saily eSIM coverage and network in France
Saily does not operate its own network in France. Instead, it connects to local network providers to deliver 4G/LTE and 5G connectivity. Coverage in major cities such as Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux or Nice is generally reliable and fast. In suburban and semi-rural areas, 4G coverage is strong across most of the country, in line with France's national 4G rollout (over 99% population coverage according to ARCEP).
In very remote rural areas (deep countryside, certain mountain valleys), coverage quality may vary regardless of the eSIM provider used. If your trip takes you off the beaten path, it is worth checking signal availability in advance.
Saily plans for France support hotspot tethering, which means you can share your data connection with a laptop or tablet, useful if you are travelling with someone who has a non-eSIM compatible device.
💡 What's included with Saily eSIM in France
4G/LTE and 5G access (where available) · Hotspot sharing · Automatic activation on arrival · Data top-up available in the app · Security features: ad blocker, web protection, virtual location (VPN-based)
One notable feature is Saily's built-in ad blocker and web protection, inherited from Nord Security. These are automatically active and can reduce data consumption by filtering ads and trackers before they load.
Get a Saily eSIM for France and use promo code SELECTRA5 for 5% off your first purchase.
Saily eSIM reviews: what users say
Saily has collected over 21,000 reviews on Trustpilot (march of 2026), with an overall rating of 4.7/5. The general pattern in user feedback is positive for ease of use and setup, and mixed for customer support responsiveness and performance in some destinations outside Europe.
- Very simple setup process: QR code activation praised by most users
- Reliable connection reported in Paris and other major French cities
- Hotspot sharing works well for groups
- Customer support can be slow to respond according to some reviews
- Performance issues reported in certain non-European destinations (less relevant for France)
- No refund for unused data once activated: plan your data needs in advance
A balanced view
For France specifically, user experiences are predominantly positive. Travellers report solid 4G connectivity in cities and popular tourist areas. The main consideration is that Saily is a data-only service: if you need a French phone number or SMS capability alongside data, a local prepaid SIM card or a French mobile plan may be more appropriate.
How to install and activate Saily eSIM for France
Setting up Saily eSIM for France takes around 5 minutes. The process is entirely digital: no physical SIM is mailed to you. Follow the steps below before your trip, ideally at home while you still have a stable Wi-Fi connection.
- Check compatibility: Confirm your device supports eSIM (see the compatibility section below). Your phone must also be carrier-unlocked.
- Download the Saily app: Available on iOS and Android. Create an account or log in.
- Choose your France plan: Select the data volume and validity that match your trip. Use code SELECTRA5 at checkout for 5% off.
- Scan the QR code: After purchase, Saily generates a QR code. Go to your phone's SIM/eSIM settings and scan it to install the eSIM profile.
- Enable data roaming: In your phone settings, make sure data roaming is turned on for the Saily eSIM line. Keep your primary SIM active for calls and texts on your home number.
- Activate before departure: Saily eSIM activates automatically when your phone connects to a local French network. Installing it before you board means you will have data the moment you land, without relying on airport Wi-Fi.
💡 Pro-tip: keep your primary SIM active
Since Saily is data-only, keeping your home SIM active (with roaming data off) lets you continue receiving calls and SMS on your regular number while using Saily for mobile data. This avoids unexpected roaming charges from your home operator.
Is Saily eSIM compatible with my phone?
Saily eSIM works on any smartphone that supports the eSIM standard and is carrier-unlocked. If your phone was bought through a carrier on a locked contract, you may need to request an unlock before using any eSIM service.
Compatible devices include, among others:
- iPhone: XS, XS Max, XR and all later models (including the full iPhone 14, 15 and 16 ranges)
- Samsung: Galaxy S20 series and later, Galaxy Z Fold/Flip series, Galaxy A54 and above
- Google Pixel: Pixel 3 and later
- iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular models): iPad Pro (2018 and later), iPad Air (3rd gen and later), iPad mini (5th gen and later)
💡 Pro-tip: use Saily's compatibility checker
The most reliable way to check is to visit the official Saily compatibility checker on their website before purchasing. Note that iPhones purchased in the United States after 2022 are eSIM-only (no physical SIM tray), making Saily straightforward to set up on these models.
📖 Read next:
Frequently asked questions about Saily eSIM for France
Does Saily eSIM work in France?
Yes, Saily eSIM works in France. It provides 4G/LTE and 5G connectivity (where available) by connecting to local French network providers. Coverage is reliable in cities and most populated areas. As with any eSIM or roaming service, coverage in very remote rural areas may occasionally be limited.
How much does Saily eSIM cost for France?
Saily eSIM France plans start at $3.59 for 1 GB valid for 7 days. Mid-range plans include 5 GB for 30 days at $10.79 and 10 GB for 30 days at $17.99. Unlimited plans (5 GB/day at full speed, then throttled) are also available from $31.49 for 10 days. Use code SELECTRA5 for 5% off your first order. Prices verified on saily.com in march of 2026.
Does Saily eSIM include calls or SMS for France?
No. Saily eSIM is a data-only service: it does not include a French phone number, calls or SMS. You can still make and receive calls and messages via internet-based apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Skype using your Saily data. If you need a local French number, consider a French prepaid SIM card instead.
How do I activate Saily eSIM in France?
After purchasing a Saily France plan via the app, you receive a QR code. Go to your phone's eSIM settings and scan it to install the profile. Enable data roaming for the Saily line. The eSIM activates automatically when your phone connects to a French network. It is recommended to complete the installation before departure, at home on Wi-Fi.
Is there a Saily eSIM promo code for France?
Yes. Use the promo code SELECTRA5 at checkout on the Saily app or website to get 5% off your first Saily eSIM purchase. This discount applies to any plan, including France-specific plans.