# MerrSIM vs Gjirafa for France: which eSIM wins?

> MerrSIM vs Gjirafa for France: MerrSIM from €1.99, 10 GB €9.99, EUR, no ID.

Choosing between Gjirafa and MerrSIM for France? MerrSIM gives a local EUR price (from €1.99, 10 GB €9.99) for France, while Gjirafa has different pricing/terms. Here is the quick comparison.

## France: MerrSIM

For France, MerrSIM connects to local networks (Orange, SFR, Bouygues, Free) on 4G/5G with hotspot, EUR billing and no ID registration.

## Why MerrSIM

- Local EUR price, no USD rate
- QR activation, no physical SIM
- No ID, hotspot, Albanian support

**Ready?** See France plans at [MerrSIM](https://merrsim.com/destinations/esim-plans-for-france) — from €1.99, 10 GB €9.99, instant activation, no roaming.

## How an eSIM works

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone: there is no physical card to insert. You buy it online, get a QR code by email and scan it in your settings. Once installed, the profile lives on your phone and activates when you reach France, connecting automatically to a local partner network. You can keep your main SIM at the same time, so your number still gets calls and texts while the eSIM handles data.

## Does your phone support eSIM?

Before you buy, check two things. First, the phone must be eSIM-compatible: iPhone XR/XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and many recent Motorola, Huawei and Oppo models. Second, it must be carrier-unlocked. You can verify by dialling *#06# — if an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. This saves you any surprises when you arrive in France.

## No registration, no shop queue

Many EU countries require identity verification for local SIM cards, which means a queue, a shop and sometimes even a local address. A travel eSIM skips all of that: it is sold as an international data service, with no passport and no contract. You have it ready before you set off for France, so you land and are online immediately — no time wasted at the airport and no risk of surprise roaming bills.

## Activation in a few minutes

Do the install before departure, while on WiFi. Open your phone settings, choose to add an eSIM and scan the QR code you received by email. Label the profile “France” so it is easy to spot. When you land, set the eSIM as your data line and switch on data roaming for it — that is normal for travel eSIMs and adds no fees, because the plan is prepaid. Within seconds you are online, with no need to hunt for public WiFi.

## How much data you really need

For normal use — maps, messaging, social media and the odd video — budget about 300–700 MB a day. A light traveller is fine with 3–5 GB for a week, while anyone doing video calls, streaming or laptop hotspot will want 10–20 GB. In France, download offline maps and use hotel WiFi for big downloads; that way a 10 GB plan comfortably lasts two weeks. If you run out, you buy a new plan in the app with no waiting.

## FAQ

### How much is an eSIM for France?
At MerrSIM from €1.99; 10 GB for €9.99, EUR billing, no ID.


---
Author: Etnik Beqiri  
Published: 2026-05-31  
Source: https://merrsim.com/en/blog/merrsim-vs-gjirafa-france-en
