Week one in France can break US bank access before you sign a lease: roaming bills spike, a 2FA code never arrives, or an app rejects a VoIP number. If you need to keep US phone number abroad for money and logins, set the plan before you fly.
Quick answer: Keep a cheap US mobile eSIM (often about $5 to $10 a month depending on plan, for example Tello) with Wi-Fi Calling on before departure, and get a French +33 number when local life needs one. Google Voice is a useful secondary number, not a bank-2FA plan. If you are going to use Google Voice, set it up or complete the port while you are still in the US. Many travel eSIMs are data-only. See the FCC number porting guide and Google Voice porting help.
Why you need to keep US phone number abroad
US banks, brokerages, and tax portals often send codes to a US mobile number. A French (+33) number generally will not replace the US number that a US bank already has on file for SMS verification. Common week-one failures: expensive cellular roaming on a full-price US plan left “just in case,” 2FA failure after a VoIP port, and apps that refuse virtual numbers.
If you can, move off SMS to authenticator apps, passkeys, hardware keys, or push notifications. Keep a real US mobile number for accounts that still rely on SMS.
Google Voice, cheap US eSIM, or other VoIP?
Google Voice is useful as a secondary US number, not as a stand-in for a carrier mobile line when you still manage US money. Google says you cannot send texts to five- or six-digit short codes, and some websites (including banks) will not send texts to Voice numbers. If you are going to use Google Voice, set it up or complete the port while you are still in the US. Google’s setup guidance is for users in the US, and current guidance does not support claiming a free consumer number from France.
| Option | Best for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| Google Voice | Casual US texts; some non-financial codes | VoIP; cannot send short-code texts; claim in the US; banks may reject it |
| Cheap US MVNO eSIM (e.g. Tello) | Bank SMS that need a real mobile line | Often $5 to $10/month depending on plan; enable Wi-Fi Calling before you leave; senders can still block SMS |
| Sonetel / Telio-style VoIP | US VoIP number; cheap calls | Incoming US SMS often by email; still VoIP; banks may reject it |
| French +33 number | Local admin when the institution accepts it | Does not replace US bank SMS; prepaid or contract can both work if accepted |
Sweet spot for many movers: a low-cost US mobile eSIM for financial codes, plus a French +33 number for daily life. See moving to France for Americans.
Myths about Google Voice for expats in France
Forum threads often say Google Voice works for everything. It is VoIP. A daily login can work while a password reset or large transfer fails. So treat banking support as case-by-case.
Finish setup or complete the port while you are still in the US and the old carrier is still active when you can. Google says not every mobile number is eligible, and you must not cancel the old plan until the port completes. For personal Voice, US-based users need to make and update port requests in the US. Successfully porting a number does not guarantee that every bank or verification service will treat it as a mobile number. Number-type and fraud-prevention systems can affect whether a service accepts SMS. Google also notes that some third-party services may not accept numbers that originated from Google Voice.
How to set up US and French lines before you move
Set the US side while you are still home. Add a French +33 number after arrival if local admin needs it.
- Choose a cheap US MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) eSIM with SMS and Wi-Fi Calling (often about $5 to $10 a month depending on plan). Port if you want the same digits. But do not cancel the old plan until the port completes.
- Register an E911 address if asked, turn on Wi-Fi Calling, and test a real bank login before you fly. Tello says Wi-Fi Calling can receive 2FA over Wi-Fi abroad, but that still depends on your phone, the network, and the sender.
- After landing, consider a French +33 number rather than relying only on a data-only travel eSIM. Whether a lease, bank, or government service requires a French mobile number varies. Check the institution.
- Use the French line for everyday data when you can; keep the US eSIM for bank SMS. If the US line falls back to a foreign cellular network, roaming charges can apply. Tello roaming promotions change; check current terms.
Common mistakes when you keep US phone number abroad
- Relying on Google Voice alone for bank 2FA
- Leaving SMS as your only method when an authenticator app, passkey, or security key is available
- Porting or cancelling your US line from France when you could finish setup before departure
- Assuming a travel data eSIM replaces a French +33 number the institution will accept
- Leaving a full-price US plan on cellular roaming for everyday data without checking current international-pass pricing
- Skipping a test login after Wi-Fi Calling, or assuming every sender will deliver bank SMS over Wi-Fi
FAQ
Can I port my US number to Google Voice after I arrive in France?
Usually easier before you leave. Set it up or complete the port while you are still in the US. Not every number is eligible, and you should not cancel the old plan until the port completes. Personal Voice port requests should be made and updated in the US.
Is Google Voice enough for Chase, PayPal, or Vanguard?
Do not count on it. Results vary by institution and by flow. Keep a real US mobile number for accounts that still require SMS.
What is the cheapest reliable way to keep US phone number abroad for SMS?
For many people, a low-cost US MVNO eSIM with Wi-Fi Calling is a practical low-cost way to keep a US mobile number abroad for SMS. Test before you leave. Plans are often about $5 to $10 a month depending on plan.
Do I still need a French phone number if I have a travel eSIM?
Many travel eSIMs are data-only. For French administration, consider a French +33 number rather than relying only on that. Requirements vary, so check the institution. See our French phone contract guide.
Will Wi-Fi Calling receive US bank texts from France without extra roaming charges?
In many cases, yes, if Wi-Fi Calling is active and the network allows it. Incoming SMS can use the regular plan allowance when delivered over Wi-Fi. The monthly plan still has its normal cost. If the phone switches to a foreign cellular network, roaming charges can apply. Some public Wi-Fi blocks the feature, and senders can still restrict SMS. Test before you leave.
Tello vs Telio / Skype for expats in France?
Tello-style MVNOs are real US mobile lines for bank SMS. Sonetel can provide a US VoIP number and receive SMS, but incoming US SMS is delivered by email and the number is still VoIP. Do not assume banks or other security systems will accept it as a mobile number. Telio / Skype-style VoIP is in the same category: useful for cheap calls, not a substitute for a mobile line.
How Relocora helps you stay in the right order
Relocora does not sell SIMs or port numbers. It sequences US eSIM and Wi-Fi Calling before departure, then French +33, then bank and lease tasks on your checklist. Store carrier contracts and porting PINs in the Document Vault. Ask the AI Coach to explain a carrier message (information only).
Getting the phone order right before you fly will not make banking painless. It usually means fewer locked accounts when a lease or transfer is on the line.