topic Information-abroad in Roaming

Information-abroad

Rochalrn — Thu, 07 May 2026 08:30:01 GMT

Hello, I hope you are well.

I’m an EE customer and recently changed my monthly subscription to Pay As You Go, so I can no longer access the live chat in the app.

I’m currently abroad in Brazil and I’d like to top up my account so I can receive calls and use my number. Could you please let me know if there are any add-ons available for international roaming or international calls while abroad?

Re: Information-abroad

Peter_W — Thu, 07 May 2026 10:39:52 GMT

Welcome to the Community, @Rochalrn

If you don't have an online account set up, you can also top up any EE number via our anonymous payment service here:

My EE - Make Anonymous Payment

Just to check, was it before or after you moved to Brazil that you switched to pay as you go??

As a switch to pay as you go is technically a new account activation, this needs to connect with the home UK network first, and you also need to make a chargeable call or send a chargeable text before it will work abroad.

Peter

Re: Information-abroad

Rochalrn — Thu, 07 May 2026 11:11:24 GMT

Hi Peter,

I switched to pay as you go after I was already in Brazil. I’ve already made an anonymous payment/top up, but the SIM still isn’t working abroad.

I understand now that the PAYG activation needs to connect to the UK network first and that a chargeable call or text must be made in the UK before roaming works.

As I’m currently in Brazil and need to keep using my phone number, what solution is available now? Is there any way EE can manually activate the roaming/service remotely, or do I need someone in the UK to use the SIM first?

Even I’m trying contact ee but it’s now working either. As can call them or chat with them. Terrible support

Thanks.

Sent from Outlook for iOS<>

Re: Information-abroad

Peter_W — Thu, 07 May 2026 12:27:37 GMT

Thanks @Rochalrn.

Sadly there isn't any remote way to complete this activation, it needs to fully activate and connect to the UK network in order for the services to start working.

When did this move over, and when do you next plan to be in the UK?

Also do you have any contacts here that could possibly help you?

Peter

Re: Information-abroad

ee_user14 — Sun, 10 May 2026 15:31:30 GMT

@Rochalrn wrote:
I understand now that the PAYG activation needs to connect to the UK network first and that a chargeable call or text must be made in the UK before roaming works.

As I’m currently in Brazil and need to keep using my phone number, what solution is available now? Is there any way EE can manually activate the roaming/service remotely

No. If there was, you'd have been told about it in previous posts.

You will need to activate your new PAYG SIM in the UK before it can be used abroad, period. Either by posting your existing SIM to a trusted friend/relative to activate and then return to you abroad, or by reporting it lost/stolen and having a replacement SIM posted to your UK address - from where a trusted friend/relative does the deed and posts back to you.