In Europe, in the past it used to cost about 5€ and there was a limitation on the amount of swaps.

As it is nowadays, I am not up to date.

Bouygues France still charged a 10€ fee as of September 2024. Didn't need to move it to another phone though, so I don't know how that works.

That 10 € fee is exactly the cost they would have charged for a physical SIM, shipping included.

Bouygues was one of the companies lamenting the change. They viewed it as a "loss of connection with their customers", whatever that means. I haven't set foot in a phone store in I don't even remember how long, but at least 10 years, so I have no idea what the hell they're talking about.