Free Mobile has always liked one very simple trick: add more roaming destinations without making the plan feel more complicated. For travellers, that matters. Nobody wants to land abroad, switch on mobile data, and then start doing mental maths every time Google Maps loads.

That is why Free Mobile Russia was an interesting move when it first appeared in Free’s roaming offer. Russia joined the list of destinations where Free subscribers could use mobile internet abroad as part of the main mobile package, rather than treating the trip as a separate, expensive roaming event.

At the time, the story was simple: Russia became one of the destinations included in Free’s 25GB per month roaming data allowance, alongside other international additions such as Switzerland, Mexico, Algeria, Turkey, and Thailand. It was especially relevant for French football supporters and travellers heading to Russia, because it meant they could stay connected without immediately buying a local SIM card or relying on hotel Wi-Fi.

The bigger point was not only Russia. It was Free’s strategy. The operator was slowly turning international roaming into a visible part of its consumer offer, not a hidden extra.

What Free offers now

Today, the Free plan has moved on from that older 25GB roaming structure.

The current Free 5G+ plan is priced at €19.99 per month, with no commitment, and includes 350GB of mobile internet in 5G/4G in metropolitan France, with reduced speed beyond that limit. For international use, the plan includes 35GB per month in 4G or 5G from more than 115 destinations, including Europe. Free’s own plan page also states that the Free 5G+ plan includes roaming data in more than 115 destinations, with recent additions such as Vietnam, Tanzania, Moldova, and Palau.

READ MORE: Free Mobile Roaming: Prices, Coverage & What Actually Happens (2026 Guide)

For travellers, this is the part that matters most: Free has kept the idea of a large domestic data plan plus a usable international roaming allowance. It is not “unlimited roaming everywhere”, and it should not be marketed that way. But 35GB abroad is enough for many normal travel situations: maps, messaging, ride-hailing, hotel check-ins, email, social media, translation apps, and light streaming.

Calls still need attention

The older Russia roaming offer had one important detail that travellers needed to notice: calls were not treated the same way as data. Calls from Russia to France and calls within Russia were billed outside the package, with separate per-minute rates.

That is still the lesson travellers should remember today. Data roaming inclusion does not always mean every service is included in the same way. Free’s assistance pages tell users to check their destination and plan conditions before travelling, because international usage depends on the destination, the plan, and fair-use rules.

So, before using Free Mobile in Russia or any other non-EU destination, the smart move is to verify three things: whether the destination is currently included, how much data is available there, and what calls, SMS, and MMS cost outside the included zone.

Why this mattered

When Free first included Russia in its roaming data package, it stood out because very few consumer mobile plans under €20 were offering that kind of international data access for such a destination. It made the offer feel more aggressive than the usual roaming model, where travellers often paid extra, bought a local SIM, or searched for public Wi-Fi.

That was the real value of Free Mobile Russia: not just cheaper data, but less friction.

For French travellers, especially Free subscribers, it meant one less thing to organise before departure. No airport SIM counter. No second device. No confusing prepaid card. Just land, connect, and use the phone as usual, within the plan’s roaming limits.

Free versus travel eSIMs

This is where the market has changed.

A few years ago, an operator including Russia or Thailand in a roaming bundle felt unusually strong. Today, travellers also compare Free with dedicated travel eSIM providers. Airalo, Ubigi, Yesim, Nomad, Holafly, and others sell destination-based or regional data plans that can be installed before travel. These services are useful for people who do not live in France, do not have a French mobile subscription, or want a second data line for a specific trip.

Free’s advantage is convenience for existing subscribers. You already have the plan, the number, and the billing relationship. No extra app, no separate purchase, no new provider to test.

Travel eSIMs win when the traveller wants flexibility. For example, someone going to one destination for a short stay may find a small eSIM package cheaper. A digital nomad may prefer a regional or global eSIM. A business traveller may want a backup connection on a second eSIM profile.

So Free is not replacing travel eSIMs. It is competing with them in one very specific scenario: existing French subscribers who want international data included without buying another product.

Conclusion

Free Mobile Russia was more than a small country-list update. It showed where consumer roaming was heading: larger included data allowances, more destinations, and fewer nasty surprises for travellers.

The current Free 5G+ plan continues that logic with 350GB in France and 35GB abroad from more than 115 destinations. That is a strong offer for many French-based travellers, especially those who want one plan that works at home and abroad. But the details still matter. Russia, like any destination, should always be checked before departure, because roaming lists, call prices, and fair-use conditions can change.

The wider trend is clear: mobile operators and travel eSIM providers are now fighting for the same travel moment. Free brings simplicity for existing subscribers. eSIM providers bring flexibility for everyone else. The winner depends less on who has the biggest headline allowance and more on what the traveller actually needs when they land.

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