PHONE

Make sure that your phone is unlocked. This is important because if your phone is 'locked, meaning connected to your original phone carrier, a SIM card of another phone carrier will not be recognized once placed in your phone. Speak with your phone carrier to confirm that your phone is unlocked before you arrive in France.

The four main providers active in the mobile phone and internet markets in France are:

• Free Mobile

• Orange (have a discounted service called Orange Sosh)

• SFR (have a discounted service called SFR Red)

• Bouygues Telecom

All four providers offer both wifi / Internet and mobile phone plans. You should do some research into the type of plan you will need, taking into consideration your data usage, if you want to be able to call landlines, if there are certain countries outside of France / the European Union you want to be able to call (either cell phones or landlines).

Pro tip: if you move into housing that doesn’t offer wifi, theses providers are often inclined to give good deals on phone plans if you purchase a wifi / Internet plan as well.

We advise you to go in person to a physical store of the carrier you chose and try to find someone who speaks English. You will directly get help or might even be able to practice your French!

This is a list of general documents most students must present in order to subscribe to a long-term plan (not pre-paid) in France with a French phone carrier. Please note the differences if you are European citizen or a non-European citizen. You may be required to present further documentation depending on the phone carrier. Similar to other countries, you can choose between a plan with a contract or without a contract. A plan with a contract can have cheaper rates or added perks, but it will cost you money to cancel the contract before the required time. A plan without a contract can generally be canceled at any time.

(If you need a number quickly and you do not yet have the required documents for a long-term plan, we recommend purchasing a pre-paid plan. Remember that this plan will expire and you should use the time to gather the required documents and switch over to a long-term plan.)

• Your passport (both European and non-European students). 

• Your French student visa or carte de séjour (if you are non-European). 

• Certificate of enrollment from Parsons Paris IN FRENCH (both European and non-European students) - request this document on the FORMS & CERTIFICATES tab above

• Proof of a French bank account = French RIB. For a long-term plan this is required so that your account can be debited each month. 

• Proof of housing in France (both European and non-European students)

  • If the lease is in your name provide a copy of your lease (if it was signed within the last 3 months), or a gas / electricity bill in your name (must be dated within 3 months), or copies of your 3 most recent rent receipts (quittance de loyer in French ; must be dated within 3 months)

  • If the lease isn’t in your name provide a letter from your landlord in french (attestation d’hébergement in French) a copy of the landlord's identity card or passport, and their latest electricity or gas bill (dated within three months).

  • If you live in API housing contact studentlifeparis@newschool.edu for a proof of housing letter.

It depends on your phone plan and on the carrier you chose. Check on their website or go into a store and ask.