Moving abroad, studying overseas or going home for a long stay? Your UK pay as you go number is easy to lose. If a prepaid SIM isn’t used for a few months, the network can disconnect it, and the number is usually gone for good. You may still need it for bank security codes, HMRC and government logins, WhatsApp, or simply for your next trip to the UK. Below are each network’s rules and the cheapest way to keep your number alive from anywhere in the world.
How long each network lets a SIM sit unused
| Network | Use it at least every | What counts as use |
|---|---|---|
| giffgaff | 6 months | A call, text/MMS, mobile data, or a top up / goodybag |
| Three | 180 days | Any chargeable use; a top up counts |
| Vodafone | 180 days (warning text at about 90) | Chargeable use or a top up |
| EE | About 6 months | Use or a top up; check EE’s terms |
| O2 / Tesco Mobile | About 6 months | Use or a top up; check their terms |
| Lebara | Best every 90 days | After about 90 days unused the credit can be lost, and later the number |
| Lycamobile / Virgin Mobile | Best every 90 days | Check their terms |
General guidance only. Each network’s own terms always apply and can change, so check them if you are close to a deadline.
The cheapest way to keep your number
- Top up before the deadline. The smallest top up (£5 or £10 on most networks) counts as use. Buy a voucher here, the code arrives by email in minutes, and you can redeem it from any country.
- Or skip the code with a direct top up. For EE, Three, O2, Vodafone, Lebara and Lycamobile you just type the UK number and the credit is added straight to it. This is handy if the SIM is in a drawer at home.
- Set a reminder. Every 5 months for giffgaff, Three, Vodafone, EE and O2; every 80 days for Lebara and Lycamobile.
- Watch roaming costs. Calls and data on a UK SIM abroad can be charged. If you only want to keep the number, a top up is usually the simplest and cheapest option.
Top up your UK number from abroad
Voucher codes (emailed): giffgaff · Three · EE · Vodafone · O2 · Tesco Mobile · Lebara · Lycamobile · Virgin Mobile
Direct top up (credit sent to the number): EE · Three · O2 · Vodafone · Lebara · Lycamobile
We take PayPal, card or bank transfer, and you can pay from any country.
Already lost your number, or need a new one?
If your SIM has been disconnected, contact the network as soon as possible: some can restore a number for a short time after it is cut off. If you need a fresh UK number, we post UK SIM cards worldwide by Royal Mail, DHL or UPS, or you can get a UK eSIM by email.
Questions
Will a top up from abroad really keep my number active?
On the networks above, yes: a top up counts as use. Redeem the code (or use a direct top up) before the deadline and the clock restarts.
I’m not getting bank texts abroad. Why?
Check that roaming is switched on and that the line is still active. Some networks need roaming turned on in the account or app.
Can I keep a UK number on WhatsApp without the SIM?
WhatsApp keeps working on the same phone, but if the network recycles the number, someone else could get it later. Keeping the line active is the safe option.
Need help? Email info@mytopup.co.uk or see Contact us. This guide is also available in Español, Italiano, Deutsch, Français, العربية, 中文 and 日本語.