Quick answer: check your French mobile account before buying another plan. Some Free Mobile offers currently include data in Indonesia, while Orange, SFR and Bouygues sell different travel passes. If your allowance is small, data-only or expensive for your trip, a local Indonesian eSIM or physical SIM gives you a +62 number, calls, SMS and an allowance you can top up.
This guide compares the practical choices for travellers arriving from France. Operator terms change, so the roaming details below were reviewed on 3 November 2026. Confirm the final allowance, price and activation rule in your operator account before departure.
Indonesia is outside the EU roaming area
France’s domestic mobile plans benefit from the EU and EEA’s Roam Like at Home framework when used in participating European countries. Indonesia is outside that mandatory area. A plan that works from your normal allowance in Spain, Italy or Germany does not automatically work on the same terms in Bali.
Before boarding, open your Orange et moi, SFR & Moi, Bouygues Telecom or Free Mobile account and search for Indonesia as the destination. Do not rely on a general phrase such as “international included”: the allowance, duration and treatment of calls and SMS depend on the exact offer.
Orange, SFR, Bouygues and Free do not work the same way in Bali
| French operator | What to check for Indonesia | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Orange France | Eligible Voyage pass and its scheduled start date | Allowance and price vary by the pass shown for your line |
| SFR | Asia/Oceania travel pack | Current pack terms must be checked against your contract and travel dates |
| Bouygues Telecom | Pass Monde or Pass Confort availability | The passes described by Bouygues provide data; calls and SMS are not included |
| Free Mobile | Whether your current Free 5G plan includes Indonesia | Inclusion depends on the plan, current destination list and fair-use terms |
This is why a generic “French roaming versus Bali eSIM” comparison is misleading. The right answer can be different for two people travelling together from France.
Free Mobile subscribers should check before buying anything
Free currently lists Indonesia among the destinations included with data on eligible Free 5G plans. If your subscriber account confirms a sufficient allowance for your travel dates, using that plan may be the simplest option: no second line, no collection and no separate payment.
That does not make it the automatic choice for every Free customer. Check the exact plan attached to your line, the current monthly allowance, fair-use conditions, renewal date and treatment of calls and SMS. A local Indonesian line may still be useful if you want a +62 number, local calling or a separate allowance that does not consume your home-plan data.
Bouygues travellers must separate data from calls and SMS
Bouygues lists Indonesia in its Pass Monde and Pass Confort travel options. These passes are activated with the first megabyte used and remain valid for the period stated by Bouygues. The key detail is easy to miss: the passes cover mobile data, not calls or SMS.
If you choose a Bouygues pass, check what happens when you answer a call, call voicemail, send a text or make an outgoing call from Bali. A data allowance alone does not cap every possible roaming charge.
Orange and SFR: check the start trigger, not only the allowance
Orange lists Indonesia among destinations available for its travel passes. Orange advises travellers to schedule the pass from the day before arrival when time differences could affect the intended activation date. Check the pass shown in your Orange account rather than assuming that every Orange contract receives the same option.
SFR’s current Asia/Oceania travel pack includes Indonesia and combines data with a limited number of calls and SMS. That can suit a short trip with predictable use, but the current pack price, allowance and eligibility should still be verified in SFR & Moi before purchase.
When French roaming is already enough
Keep your French plan as the only connection when the allowance is already included or the travel pass costs less than the inconvenience of managing a second line. It is a reasonable choice for a short stay, light map and messaging use, or a traveller who does not need an Indonesian number.
A local SIM or eSIM becomes more useful when you expect frequent navigation, ride-hailing, video calls, hotspot use or local calls; when the home pass is data-only; or when you want staff to test the connection before you leave the airport.
Keep your French number without letting it use mobile data
A dual-SIM phone can keep the French line available for verification messages while the Indonesian line handles data. Label the lines France and Indonesia, select Indonesia for mobile data, disable data roaming on the French line and turn off automatic mobile-data switching.
Do not assume that keeping the line active makes every service free. Incoming calls, voicemail, outgoing SMS and Wi-Fi Calling may be billed differently by your operator. For an important bank or security login, verify the relevant SMS and call charges before travel.
Will a phone bought in France accept a Bali eSIM?
Many recent iPhones, Samsung Galaxy phones and Google Pixel phones sold in France support eSIM. The model name alone is not enough: the regional version, software, available eSIM slot and carrier status also matter.
- iPhone: Apple supports a physical SIM plus eSIM on many models from iPhone XS, XR and later, and two active eSIMs on newer models. For lines from different operators, the iPhone must be unlocked.
- Samsung Galaxy: Samsung France lists eSIM support across many recent Galaxy S, Z and selected A-series models, with regional exceptions.
- Google Pixel: Google states that Pixel 4 and later support eSIM, while older models have purchase-region and operator exceptions.
On an iPhone, open Settings → General → About. Under Carrier Lock, Apple says No SIM restrictions confirms that the device is unlocked. Android menu names vary; check for an option to add an eSIM and confirm the lock status with the French operator if uncertain.
Use the device compatibility checklist before ordering. Compatibility does not guarantee activation if the handset is locked or the exact regional model lacks the required feature.
Local eSIM, physical SIM or a global travel eSIM?
- Local Indonesian eSIM: keeps the physical slot free and includes an Indonesian +62 number, calls, SMS and local data. The phone must support eSIM and be unlocked.
- Local physical SIM: suits unlocked phones without eSIM support or travellers who prefer a removable card.
- Global travel eSIM: may be installable before departure and is useful for immediate data, but many products are data-only and do not provide an Indonesian number.
- French roaming: requires no second line and can be the most sensible option when Indonesia is already included on acceptable terms.
Do travellers from France need a +62 number?
Not everyone does. Maps, WhatsApp and many booking services work with mobile data alone. A +62 number is useful for ordinary local calls and SMS, contacting a driver or accommodation that asks for an Indonesian number, and maintaining a separate local line during the trip.
Do not buy a local line solely because someone claims that every transport app requires one. Account rules can change, and an existing account may continue to work with the French number. Choose +62 for the practical local communication you expect to use.
How much data should you choose?
Estimate use by activity rather than nationality. Messaging and occasional maps use far less data than video calls, social uploads, streaming or sharing a hotspot. Sim Card Airport Bali currently offers local eSIM and physical-SIM choices from 3GB to 68GB, with operator and price differences shown on each product page.
The current tourist packages begin with a 28-day validity period and can be topped up under the selected operator’s rules. Use the Bali data usage calculator, then check the live product page before paying.
Order in France, complete activation after Customs in Bali
You can place the order before leaving France. The local eSIM is not installed remotely in France: tourist registration, issuance and activation are completed at the airport counter under the Indonesian operator’s process.
- Choose a current SIM or eSIM plan and keep the order confirmation.
- After immigration, baggage collection and Customs, leave through the International Arrivals exit.
- Find the XL Axiata counter immediately to the left of the exit.
- Show the order confirmation, passport and the device details requested for operator registration.
- Let the staff activate and test data, calls and SMS before you leave.
The counter operates daily from 4:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. the following morning. If a flight is delayed, pickup can take place during those opening hours. See the full airport counter directions or open the Google Maps listing.
SIM registration is not Customs IMEI registration
The counter uses your passport and device information to complete the mobile operator’s tourist-SIM registration. This is not the same as formally registering an imported device with Indonesian Customs for long-term use.
For a visitor using a tourist SIM, follow the operator registration process at the counter. If you are importing a phone for extended Indonesian use or need guidance on Customs obligations, consult the current Customs rules rather than treating the SIM registration as a substitute.
If activation fails
Do not leave the counter until data, calls and SMS have been tested. If a problem appears later, report it within 24 hours and provide a screenshot of the error. Staff may first test or replace the SIM or ask you to return to the airport counter so the cause can be confirmed.
Refund eligibility depends on the verified cause and the current Refund Policy. Check device compatibility and carrier-lock status before ordering; do not assume that every activation problem qualifies automatically.
Practical recommendation for travellers from France
Start with the French account you already pay for. If Free or another plan confirms sufficient Indonesia data, keeping it may be the cleanest choice. If a paid pass has a suitable allowance and capped costs, it can also be reasonable for a short stay.
Choose a local eSIM or physical SIM when you need more data, a +62 number, local calls and SMS, top-up access, or staff-assisted setup at arrival. Choose a global travel eSIM when installation before departure matters more than having a local number. The decision is about terms and use, not about one format being universally better.
Frequently asked questions
Does Free Mobile include data in Indonesia?
Free currently lists Indonesia for eligible Free 5G plans, but inclusion depends on the exact subscription and current terms. Verify it in your Free subscriber account before relying on it.
Does a Bouygues travel pass include calls and SMS in Bali?
The Bouygues Pass Monde and Pass Confort information reviewed for this guide describes data allowances and states that calls and SMS are not included. Check the rates for voice and messaging separately.
Can I keep my French number active while using a Bali eSIM?
Yes, on a compatible unlocked dual-SIM phone. Set the Indonesian line as the mobile-data line, disable data roaming on the French line and check charges for calls, voicemail and SMS.
Can the local Bali eSIM be installed before leaving France?
No. You can order before departure, but this local product is issued and activated at the Bali Airport counter after operator registration.
Should I choose eSIM or a physical SIM?
Choose eSIM when the exact unlocked phone supports it and you want to keep the physical slot available. Choose a physical SIM when the phone lacks eSIM support or you prefer a removable card. Both formats use the selected Indonesian operator network.
Sources and review date
Last reviewed: 3 November 2026. Prices, allowances, destination lists and device support can change. Recheck the linked operator and manufacturer pages before travel.
- European Commission: Roaming questions and answers
- Orange France: Pass Voyage destinations
- SFR: Packs Séjour
- Bouygues Telecom: Pass Internet Voyage
- Free Mobile: International destinations
- Apple France: Using Dual SIM on iPhone
- Apple France: Checking carrier lock
- Samsung France: Galaxy eSIM support
- Google Pixel Help: SIM and eSIM support
