SMS destination
France
Dialing code +33 · Europe. Everything you need to send compliant SMS to France with the Bird SMS API.
Policy last updated July 13, 2026
What you can send
Two-way messaging
Supported
Before you send
Alphanumeric sender IDs must be registered for France before traffic can deliver. The lead time is listed with the sender types below. File once from the dashboard and track approval through the API.
Sender types
Every way you can originate a message to this country, with how each is cleared for use and how long that takes. Listed best route first.
| Sender | Activation | Setup time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short code | Instant activation | Same day | Supports two-way replies. |
| Alphanumeric Sender ID | Sender ID registration | Varies | One-way only. |
Rules & regulations
What local regulators expect before you send, as the destination's own policy record states it.
Market Segments
This market operates with two distinct segments:
- Marketing messages
- Transactional messages
Important: Each sender ID can only be used for one segment type. If your company sends both marketing and transactional content, you'll need to register separate sender IDs for each.
Marketing Messages
- Opt-out requirement: All marketing messages must include an opt-out option
- Compliance: Without an opt-out, your messages may be:
- Redirected to a Short code
- Not delivered at all
Transactional Messages
- No opt-out required: Transactional messages will be delivered with your registered sender ID
- Usage policy: Misusing the transactional segment (sending marketing content) will result in losing access to transactional messaging
What this market refuses
Any Spam, Adult content, Gambling/Casino Phishing, etc. messages case identified by MNOs in French and French Territories will incur in a penalty of €5,000 (five thousand euros) per operator that will be sent to the client, and the Local Police is involved in such cases. Some senders for this market are protected by the French Operators, and an Authorisation letter could be required for those.
One API
How sending works
You send to every destination through the same endpoint and the same keys. Bird picks a compliant route for the country, applies opt-out handling on every message, and reports delivery from carrier receipts. The country-specific part is which sender you register. The API call does not change.
Sending to France, answered
What senders ask before their first message to France.
Do I need to register a sender before sending SMS to France?
Can I use an alphanumeric sender ID in France?
Can I receive replies from France?
Are there quiet hours for SMS in France?
Do I need consent before messaging someone in France?
What other channels can Bird reach France on?
The rest of the SMS platform
One API, one set of keys. Explore the other capabilities.
Put it into practice.
Continue with the documentation, guides and examples for this topic. Resources are in English.
Start sending to France
Create a workspace, register a sender, and send your first message from the same API you will scale on.