By The essentials
- French numbers have 10 digits starting with 0, grouped in pairs (e.g. 01 23 45 67 89) ;
- From abroad, drop the leading 0 and dial +33 followed by the 9 remaining digits ;
- 112 is the safest emergency number for English speakers (operators are trained in English) ;
- Watch out for 08-numbers and short numbers starting with 3X — most are premium-rate.
Explore the directory
Four detailed guides cover every situation an expat is likely to face. The current page is the overview — pick the one that matches your need.
English-Speaking Helplines
Every customer-service line in France that answers in English: Ameli, banks, energy, telecoms, transport.
Emergency Numbers in France
112, 15, 17, 18 and the specialised lines (114 for the deaf, 3919, 3114, 32 37). What to say when you call.
Calling France from Abroad
Country code, exit codes by country, dialling format examples, and tips for cheap international calls.
Important French Numbers from Abroad
Ameli, card-blocking, France Travail, EDF, SNCF — the numbers that actually work from outside France.
How French Phone Numbers Work
A French phone number is always 10 digits long and starts with 0, written in five pairs of two digits:
0X XX XX XX XX
French speakers usually read numbers as five double digits. 09 42 53 84 06 becomes "zéro neuf, quarante-deux, cinquante-trois, quatre-vingt-quatre, zéro six". There are no long-distance charges within mainland France from a French line. The first digits indicate the type of number:
| Prefix | Type / Region |
|---|---|
| 01 | Île-de-France (Paris and surroundings) |
| 02 | Northwest France (Brest, Le Havre, Nantes, Orléans, Rouen) |
| 03 | Northeast France (Lille, Strasbourg, Reims, Dijon, Nancy) |
| 04 | Southeast France (Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Grenoble, Toulon) |
| 05 | Southwest France (Bordeaux, Toulouse, Limoges) |
| 06 / 07 | Mobile phones |
| 08 | Customer service — often premium-rate |
| 09 | VoIP, non-geographic, standard rate |
Corsica uses the regional prefix 04 95. French overseas territories (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, etc.) have their own country codes and are not part of the metropolitan numbering plan.
Calling France from Abroad
The country code for France is 33. To call France from outside, use your country's exit code, then 33, then the 9-digit French number without the leading 0:
- From the UK, Ireland or anywhere in Europe: dial 00 33 then the number ;
- From the USA or Canada: dial 011 33 then the number ;
- From Australia: dial 0011 33 then the number ;
- From any mobile worldwide: dial +33 then the number.
Detailed examples and country-by-country exit codes are in our guide to calling France from abroad. If you need to reach a specific French service from outside France, see the important French numbers to call from abroad.
Avoiding Premium-Rate Traps
Many French customer-service numbers are pay-per-minute on top of your operator's standard charges. The high-risk patterns:
- 4-digit numbers starting with 3 (e.g. 3949, 3654) — almost always premium ;
- 6-digit numbers starting with 118 (directory enquiries) — premium ;
- 10-digit numbers starting with 0810 to 0899 — variable cost, check before calling.
Two French phrases give you a free pass: "prix d'un appel local" and "numéro non surtaxé" both mean the call is charged at standard rate or free, depending on your phone plan. Numbers starting with 0800 to 0805 are free from a French landline.
Setting Up a Phone Plan or Utilities in English
Most French operators only handle customer service in French. To compare alternative suppliers and open a contract in English, Selectra runs a free advisory line — no broker fee, no hard sell.
English-speaking helpline · Free callback available
Compare suppliers and sign up — in English
Have your French address, IBAN and a phone number ready before calling. Our advisors will compare every supplier on the market and open the contract in your name, free of charge.
Energy line: Mon–Fri 8 am–9 pm, Sat 8:30 am–6:30 pm, Sun 9 am–6 pm. Broadband line: Mon–Fri 9:30 am–7:30 pm. Or get a free callback.
How to Make Free Calls in France
A few habits cover most of an expat's daily phone use without a single euro spent:
- Receiving calls is always free in France, on landline or mobile ;
- Most French mobile plans include unlimited calls to French numbers, plus calls to the EU, North America and other zones ;
- Apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime Audio and Signal cost nothing over Wi-Fi or mobile data ;
- Calling a French landline from another French landline is usually free, regardless of duration.