Yes, you can get a Europe eSIM with a phone number. At SimOptions, the Bouygues Telecom plans come with a French +33 number, unlimited calls and SMS within Europe, and 5G data in 46 countries. Most other travel eSIMs are data-only. Before you buy, check whether you really need a European number. If you mostly call home on WhatsApp or FaceTime, a data-only eSIM and your usual number may be all you need. This guide explains what an eSIM with a phone number gives you, which plans include one, and how to keep your US or Canadian number on the same phone.
Short on time? These are the three SimOptions plans with a European phone number. All three are from Bouygues Telecom and come with a French +33 number.
All Bouygues Telecom · French +33 number · calls, SMS and data in 46 countries in Europe · See all Europe eSIMs
What "an eSIM with a phone number" means for your trip
An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone. The plan you put on it decides what you get. For a trip to Europe, you have three options:
- A European number: a travel eSIM with its own local number, data, calls and texts. People in Europe can call or text you on it, and you can call European numbers.
- Your home number: your US or Canadian line stays on your phone next to the travel eSIM. Friends and family reach you as usual, but your home carrier's roaming rates apply to calls and texts on that line.
- A data-only eSIM: mobile internet only, no number. You call and message through apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime or iMessage.
Most phones that support eSIM can run two lines at once, so you can mix these options. A common setup: the travel eSIM for data (and a European number if you need one), your home line for texts and security codes.
Europe eSIMs with a phone number at SimOptions
The SimOptions plans with a phone number are from Bouygues Telecom, a French mobile operator. Here is what the plan details say:
- Number: a French (+33) phone number.
- Calls and SMS: unlimited within Europe.
- Data: 5G where available, in 46 countries.
- Countries: all EU countries plus the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City, Gibraltar and French overseas territories such as Guadeloupe, Martinique and Reunion. Turkey and Balkan countries outside the EU, such as Serbia or Albania, aren't on the list.
- Activation: once installed, the eSIM activates automatically when you arrive in one of the covered countries. If you don't use it within a year of buying it, it expires.
- Top-ups: not available, so pick a plan with enough data and days for your trip.
Which plan fits your trip?
All three plans include the same French number, unlimited calls and SMS within Europe, and the same 46 countries. The difference is how much data you get and for how many days.
Travel Basic+: for trips of up to 15 days
20 GB of data for 15 days. Enough for maps, messages, social media and some video calls on a one- or two-week trip.
My European eSIM 60GB: for trips of up to 30 days
60 GB of data for 30 days. A good fit for longer trips or if you use a lot of data.
My European eSIM 120GB: for heavy data use
120 GB of data for 30 days, for lots of video calls, streaming or remote work.
Can you call the US or Canada with it?
Don't count on it. The plan details list unlimited calls and SMS within Europe. They don't include calls or texts to numbers outside Europe, such as US or Canadian numbers. To reach home, use WhatsApp, FaceTime or Wi-Fi calling on your home line (see below).
It works the other way round too. When friends at home call your +33 number, they make an international call to France, and their own carrier's rates apply. Your European contacts, hotels and tour guides are the people who will use your French number most.
Do you really need a European phone number?
A European number is useful when people in Europe need to call or text you on a normal number. A data-only eSIM is often enough when the people you talk to are at home.
A plan with a phone number makes sense if
- You book restaurants, tours, rentals or deliveries that call or text a local number.
- You need to call European numbers, like a hotel, a taxi company or an Airbnb host.
- You work with people in Europe or stay several weeks.
- You'd rather not hand out your home number, which would cost you roaming charges when it rings.
A data-only eSIM is enough if
- You call and message mostly on WhatsApp, FaceTime or iMessage.
- Family and friends at home should keep reaching you on your usual number.
- You only need maps, messaging, rideshare apps and browsing.
Not sure what your current eSIM includes? Here's how to find your eSIM phone number.
How to keep your US or Canadian number while you travel
You don't have to give up your home number to use a travel eSIM. Here are three ways to stay reachable on it.
1. Keep your home line on with dual SIM
Your phone can run your home line and your travel eSIM side by side.
- iPhone: go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data and choose the travel eSIM. Only one line can use cellular data at a time. Give each line a label, like "Home" and "Europe" (Apple: Use Dual SIM with an eSIM).
- Google Pixel: go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs and pick the SIM for calls, texts and mobile data (Google: Use dual SIMs on Pixel).
- Samsung Galaxy: use Settings > Connections > SIM manager.
Then turn off data roaming on your home line, so it can't use data abroad. Calls and texts you make or receive on your home line can still cost roaming fees, so check your carrier's roaming rates before you go. See the correct roaming settings for an eSIM.
2. Use Wi-Fi calling on your home number
Wi-Fi calling lets you call and text from your home number over Wi-Fi. On iPhone, turn it on in Settings > Cellular > Wi-Fi Calling (Apple: Make a call using Wi-Fi Calling). What it costs abroad depends on your carrier:
- Verizon says calling back to the US over Wi-Fi is free on plans with unlimited talk and text. On an iPhone, Wi-Fi Calling can't be turned on after you leave the country, so set it up before you fly (Verizon: Wi-Fi Calling FAQs).
- Rogers says Wi-Fi calls and texts from abroad to Canadian numbers come out of your plan's minutes and messages, and so do incoming calls. Calls to non-Canadian numbers are charged like a normal mobile call (Rogers: Wi-Fi Calling terms).
Other carriers have their own rules, so check yours before you travel.
3. Call and text with apps
WhatsApp, FaceTime and iMessage work over any data connection, including your travel eSIM. They keep using your usual account and number. On iPhone, check that your home number is selected for iMessage and FaceTime (Apple: Add or remove your phone number in Messages or FaceTime). Don't register WhatsApp again with your French number unless you want to move your account to it. More tips: how to make phone calls with a data-only eSIM.
How to set up a Europe eSIM with a phone number
- Check your phone. It must support eSIM and be unlocked. Dial *#06#: if you see an EID, your phone supports eSIM. More in our guide to checking eSIM compatibility.
- Buy your plan. Your QR code comes by email.
- Install it on Wi-Fi before you fly. The eSIM activates on its own when you arrive in a covered country.
- Label the line "Europe" so you can tell it apart from your home line.
- When you land, make the travel eSIM your data line and turn on data roaming for it.
- Choose your default line for calls. Use the French number for European calls and keep your home line for texts and security codes.
- Write down your +33 number and share it with your hotel, your tour guide or anyone in Europe who needs to reach you.
How EU roaming rules affect a European number
Under the EU's "roam like at home" rules, a mobile plan from an EU country works in other EU countries at domestic prices, within fair use limits. The rules also cover Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, as well as Moldova and Ukraine (European Commission: Roaming). This is why one French number can work across Europe.
These rules don't apply to US or Canadian plans. Your home carrier sets its own roaming prices in Europe. The UK and Switzerland aren't covered by EU rules either, but both are included in the Bouygues Telecom plans above.
Still comparing all your options, with or without a number? See our guide to the best eSIM for Europe.
If you've decided you don't need a European number, a data-only Europe eSIM keeps you online for maps, messages and app calls, while your home line stays on your phone.
Data-only plans for Europe · 10 GB, 20 GB or 50 GB · See all Europe eSIMs · Travelling outside Europe? Find your destination
FAQs
Can I get a Europe eSIM with a phone number?
Yes. At SimOptions, the Bouygues Telecom plans (Travel Basic+ and My European eSIM) include a French +33 number with unlimited calls and SMS within Europe. Most other travel eSIMs are data-only. Each plan shows Calls & SMS and eSIM Number in its details.
What's the best eSIM for Europe with a phone number?
It depends on your trip. For trips of up to 15 days, there's Travel Basic+ with 20 GB. For up to 30 days, My European eSIM 60GB or 120GB gives you more data. All three have the same French number, calls and texts within Europe, and coverage in 46 countries.
Which country's number do I get?
A French number starting with +33. It works in all 46 countries on the plan, not only in France.
Can I call the US or Canada with a Europe eSIM?
The plan details only list calls and SMS within Europe. To call home, use WhatsApp, FaceTime or Wi-Fi calling on your home number.
Can people at home call my European number?
Yes, but for them it's an international call to France, at their own carrier's rates. Apps like WhatsApp are usually easier for calls with home.
Can I keep my own number with a Europe eSIM?
Yes. On a dual SIM phone, keep your home line on for calls and texts, and use the travel eSIM for data. Turn off data roaming on your home line and check your carrier's rates for calls and texts abroad.
Does it work in the UK and Switzerland?
Yes. The UK and Switzerland are among the 46 countries of the Bouygues Telecom plans. Turkey and non-EU Balkan countries like Serbia and Albania aren't included.
Do I need an eSIM with a phone number for WhatsApp?
No. WhatsApp keeps working with your usual number over any internet connection, including a data-only eSIM.
