How to hold on to your number while you live somewhere else, for as little as possible, and still get the texts your bank sends. US and UK options compared, the rules on long stays abroad, and how to move your number without losing it.
Your bank's texts are the hard part. Many banks and websites only send codes to real mobile numbers, and won't text an internet or landline number. If your bank still texts you codes, keep a real mobile number for it, and switch every login you can to app approval or an authenticator app.
Before you go
Work out what the number is for. If it's for friends and family, a free internet number will do. If your bank or tax office texts it codes, it needs to stay a real mobile number.
Do it while you're still at home. Moving a US number into Google Voice has to be requested from the US. Tello and US Mobile only roam once the line has been used in the US. Some UK banks' apps must be set up before you leave.
Switch logins to app approval. Wherever a bank or site lets you approve logins in its app or with an authenticator, do that instead of texts. Texts are the part most likely to fail abroad.
Put the deadline in your calendar. Numbers you don't use get taken back: Google Voice can reclaim yours after 3 months with no calls or texts, and pay-as-you-go SIMs cut you off after 4 months on iD Mobile and 6 on giffgaff. One call or text before the date keeps it.
Which to choose
A US mobile number for bank codes, as cheaply as possible
Unlimited calls and texts with Wi-Fi calling for $8 a month, at no extra charge for Wi-Fi calls. Texts work over Wi-Fi; picture messages don't. Parking the number costs $3 a month, but a parked number can't call or text.
Kind of number
Mobile
Abroad
Wi-Fi calling, or roaming in 200-plus countries paid from your balance
The catch
Activate the eSIM before you leave: roaming only works once the line has been used in the US. If a plan lapses, you have 30 days before the number goes.
The Light plan: 2GB of data and unlimited calls and texts. Wi-Fi calls to US numbers are generally included.
Kind of number
Mobile
Abroad
Wi-Fi calling, or roaming once the line has been used in the US
The catch
Its terms say the plan isn't for long or permanent use abroad: after more than 90 days in a row abroad with no US use, it can switch off international service until you're back.
Calls and texts over Wi-Fi or data in the app. Texts go to US and Canadian numbers only. Moving your number in ends your mobile plan, so do it last.
Kind of number
Internet
Abroad
Yes, over Wi-Fi or data. Google says calls you make while abroad are charged at its international rates.
The catch
Personal accounts are for the US, and the move must be requested from the US. Some banks won't text a Google Voice number. If you make no calls or texts for 3 months, Google can take the number back.
Holds your number with a greeting; texting may be a $1 a month add-on. Forwarding calls to another phone is $6.99 a month. Moving your number in costs $5; moving it out again is free.
Kind of number
Landline
Abroad
Forwarding can go to a number abroad
The catch
It counts as a landline number, and some companies won't send their codes to landlines.
Read the terms before you pick a cheap plan: Mint Mobile's and Ultra Mobile's both ban using the service while you live outside the US. App numbers such as Hushed ($6.99 a month for one line) and TextNow work over data, but say some services won't send them codes. Skype closed in May 2025: Skype Number texts and forwarding stopped then, and the last Skype Number subscriptions ended in May 2026.
Fine for a trip, dear for a year. Wi-Fi calling home is the cheap part; what catches people is the carriers' rules on how long you can spend abroad.
T-Mobile
Roaming
Texts and data in 215-plus countries on most plans; calls 50c a minute. Passes: $10 a day, $50 for 10 days, $75 for 30.
Wi-Fi calls home
Free to US numbers
Long stays
Meant for short trips. If more than half your use is abroad for two bill cycles you get warnings; after three months your international data is blocked.
Pausing your line
Up to 90 days, twice a year, but you still pay the full monthly charge.
Your number must still be active to move it. Don't cancel the old plan until the new company confirms the move; moving it ends that line with the old company for you.
How long it takes
The FCC requires a simple move to be done within one business day.
If you owe money
Your old company can't refuse to release your number, even if you owe it money. It can charge a fee.
The transfer PIN
The big carriers ask for a number transfer PIN, which you request from your old carrier. AT&T's lasts 4 days.
The cheapest way is to move your number to a pay-as-you-go SIM and use it once before its deadline. Wi-Fi calling doesn't work abroad on most UK networks, so to get texts you'll be roaming.
After 60 days in a row abroad, in Europe or anywhere else, SMARTY can suspend every service on your account, and your plan keeps renewing while it's suspended unless you turn auto-renew off.
Text PAC to 65075 from the phone. It's free, the code lasts 30 days, and the new provider must make the switch within one working day. Do it while the old SIM still works, as the code comes back by text.
After the move
Your number takes on the new provider's rules, including how long it can go unused.
Nationwide
Sends one-time passcodes to UK mobile numbers only. Set up its app before you leave the UK: it can't be registered on a non-UK device.
Barclays
Its app can't currently be registered with an international number.
HSBC
You can approve card payments in its app, or with a card reader, instead of a text code.
Chase UK
Abroad, you may need mobile data turned on to get its passcode.
An internet number
Skype Numbers are gone. Andrews & Arnold can move your 07 number onto an internet line for £12, then £1.80 a month, but check your bank will text it before you rely on it.
Moving a US or Canadian number in is free and takes about 5 working days. Texts cost 2 cents or less each. You put down at least US$15 to start, and prices are in US dollars. As an internet number, some banks may not text it.
Roam like at home has a fair-use test: over at least four months, more than half your days or use must count as at home. Time spent outside the EU counts as at home for this test, so living in Asia or the UK and only visiting other EU countries shouldn't trip it. Your operator sets its own prices outside the EU.
