Moving abroad and keeping phone number

[dst44]

Hi,

I’m moving abroad to Germany for 12 months.

I’m aware that I wouldn’t be able to keep my current EE contract but I’d like to keep my phone number for when I return.

Would it be worth changing to Pay as You Go and keep using occasionally to keep my phone number?

Also, can this be done while abroad as I’d need to keep my contact until I could get a new one set up with a German provider.

Thanks!

[XRaySpeX · Accepted solution]

Yes, as long as you have passed your min contract term you can "upgrade" it to PAYG & send a chargeable text within every 180 days to keep it alive.

You will need to phone EE to do the upgrade.

[Christopher_G]

Welcome to the community, @dst44 🙂

Whereabouts in Germany are you moving to?

I see @XRaySpeX has answered your question and hinted at how to avoid your number going into hibernation.

Let us know if you have any more questions. 🙂

Chris

[chankim]

Hello, I was wondering if this advice was still valid? I'm in Canada for at least 12 months but would like to keep my UK number with EE alive for banking purposes, etc. Thank you!

[XRaySpeX]

Yes, @chankim , you would need to call CS to give 30 days notice of cancellation and at the same time ask for it to be moved to PAYG.

You should make sure that the transfer to PAYG is done while you are still in the UK and you should make a chargeable call or text while there. PAYG SIMs need activating 1st on the EE home network. 

[The_Clew]

That might be a dumb question, but what exactly is a "chargeable text" if my package includes unlimited texts?

Isn't recharging my "pay as you go" on a montly basis enough to maintain my number abroad?

Thanks for your kind help!

[Leanne_T]

Hi @The_Clew

Thanks for coming here, to keep the number active you can complete any of the below activities, before 179 days of no use.

• Voice and data usage. This includes making calls, sending text messages and picture messages, retrieving a voicemail, and using data that is not within your pack or add-on.
• Topping up your account.
• Buying a pack or an add-on.

Calls, texts and data usage made using your allowance from your pack do not count towards a chargeable activity. 

Any of the chargeable activities can be made in the UK and abroad to keep the account active.

Leanne 🙂

[XRaySpeX]

@The_Clew : A chargeable text would be 1 to an overseas no. or 1 to an premium or service no. like starting with 084 or 087 or 09.

Topping up ever month will keep your no. live.