The safest way to keep a US or UK number for bank codes abroad is to leave it on a real mobile SIM or eSIM on a cheap plan, and use a travel eSIM for data on the second line. Porting to a VoIP service such as Google Voice is cheaper to run, but some banks won’t text VoIP numbers: Wells Fargo, for example, says it does not support text messages to VoIP phones. If you keep a prepaid SIM, use it at least once every few months, because UK networks such as giffgaff deactivate numbers after 6 months without use.
This is a wiki: members can edit this first post to add options, prices and experiences. Please keep it factual and say when you last used a service.
Last checked: October 2026
In short:
- Cheapest real-mobile options we checked: Tello from $10 a month (US) and giffgaff from £6 a month (UK). Lebara UK advertises plans “from £5”.
- Google Voice charges $20 to port in a mobile number, needs an active US mobile number, and cannot text five- or six-digit short codes.
- giffgaff deactivates a SIM after 6 months with no chargeable call, text, data session or top-up. You then have 30 days to request a PAC and move the number elsewhere.
Comparison table
Prices from each provider’s official site, checked 6 October 2026. USD for US options, GBP for UK.
| Service | What it’s for | Price from (checked 6 Oct 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Voice (US) | Parking a US number as VoIP | $20 one-off fee to port in a mobile number | US users must port from an active US mobile number. Old carrier plan is cancelled when the port completes. No texts to short codes. Number becomes VoIP, which some banks reject |
| Tello (US) | Cheap prepaid US mobile line | $10/month for 2 GB data with unlimited talk and text | Free Wi-Fi calling. Pay-as-you-go credit also available. Tello says Europe roaming is free until 31 January 2027 |
| US Mobile (US) | Prepaid US line with roaming | Unlimited Starter $199 first year (annual), Unlimited Flex $210/year | Starter includes 1 GB roaming in 180+ countries; Premium ($299 first year) includes 20 GB |
| T-Mobile (US) | Postpaid line with roaming built in | Experience More 2.0 and Experience Beyond 2.0 (price not checked) | 5 GB or 15 GB high-speed roaming data in 215+ destinations, unlimited texts. T-Mobile requires you to reside in the US and use its network mainly at home |
| giffgaff (UK) | Cheap UK SIM to keep a number | £6/month for 1 GB (pay as you go) or 2 GB (rolling) | Up to 5 GB usable in the EU at no extra cost. Deactivated after 6 months of no use |
| Lebara (UK) | Cheap UK SIM | “From £5” (plan details not loaded when we checked) | No contract; EU roaming included. Inactivity rules not confirmed |
| Porting a UK number to VoIP | Keeping a UK number without a SIM | Not verified | We haven’t confirmed current UK providers or fees; members, please add. Same bank-rejection risk as Google Voice |
Why banks reject VoIP numbers
Banks and their SMS providers can look up what kind of line a number is. Twilio’s Lookup service, for example, classifies numbers as mobile, landline, “fixedVoip” (tied to a physical device) or “nonFixedVoip” (online numbers with no device, such as Google Voice). A bank that only sends codes to mobile numbers can filter out VoIP lines automatically. Wells Fargo says it sends texts only to US mobile numbers and “does not currently support text messages to landline or VoIP phones.”
Before you port anything, test every bank, brokerage and tax account with the new number. Where an authenticator app or passkey is offered, switch to it.
How to choose
Dual SIM is the simplest setup. Keep your home number on a cheap SIM or eSIM as line 1, and put a travel or local eSIM on line 2 for data. Turn off data roaming on the home line. See the eSIM wiki for phone compatibility.
US numbers: Tello at $10 a month is the low-cost way to keep a real mobile number. US Mobile’s annual plans add some roaming data. T-Mobile’s terms require US residence and mainly domestic use, so long stays abroad risk restriction. Google Voice is fine for calls and most texts, but don’t rely on it for bank codes.
UK numbers: A giffgaff SIM at £6 a month keeps a UK mobile number alive. If you go pay as you go with no plan, make at least one chargeable call or text, one data session or one top-up every 6 months. To move a UK number to another network, text “PAC” to 65075. Ofcom says the PAC is valid for 30 days and the new provider must complete the switch within one working day.
Don’t let it lapse. A recycled number can lock you out of accounts that still send codes to it. Set a reminder to use the SIM.
Member experiences
Reply below with which one you use and why. Say which banks did or didn’t send codes, and when you last tested.
Related guides: eSIMs for digital nomads (2026): prices, fair use and keeping your number · Why banks close digital nomads’ accounts, and which are safer bets · Best banks for digital nomads (2026): travel cards, fees and closure risk · Virtual mailbox services for nomads (2026): prices and what banks accept
Quick answers
Q: Can I port my US number to Google Voice to keep it abroad?
Yes, if you are in the US with an active US mobile number. Google Voice charges a $20 port-in fee and your carrier plan is cancelled when the port completes. The number becomes VoIP, so it can’t receive short-code texts, and some banks, including Wells Fargo, won’t text it.
Q: How do I stop my UK SIM being deactivated while I’m abroad?
On giffgaff, make at least one chargeable call, text or MMS, one mobile data session, or buy credit or a plan every 6 months. Inactive SIMs are deactivated after 6 months. Within 30 days of deactivation you can still request a PAC to move the number.
Q: Why won’t my bank send 2FA codes to my VoIP number?
Banks can check whether a number is a mobile, landline or VoIP line, and many send codes only to mobile numbers. Wells Fargo, for example, says it does not support texts to landline or VoIP phones. Keep a real mobile SIM or switch to an authenticator app where your bank allows it.
Sources
- Google Voice Help: Port your mobile number to Google Voice
- Google Voice Help: Send text messages
- Tello: Plans
- US Mobile: Plans
- T-Mobile: Travel abroad with Simple Global
- giffgaff: SIM only plans
- giffgaff Help: Why is my phone number deactivated?
- Lebara UK: SIM only deals
- Ofcom: Switching mobile phone provider
- Wells Fargo: Text messages FAQs
- Twilio Docs: Line Type Intelligence
This is general information from the Nomad Forums team, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change; check the official source or a qualified adviser before acting.
Over to you: How are you keeping your home number alive, and which banks have refused to send codes to it? Has anyone ported a UK mobile number to a VoIP provider and kept bank access working?