Expat Roam Like at Home Restriction / Limit

MartinRoss

Hi I have a giffgaff sim only to keep my UK mobile number, and I live in France.

Giffgaff now say you have to use your mobile every 6 months in the UK otherwise you will be charged for roaming etc.

Does anyone know of a UK Service Provider who doesn't have this policy?

Thanks :)

la531983

Probably none of them. For good reason.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6656536/expat-roam-like-at-home-restriction-limit

If you just want to keep the number then you can move it to a VOIP provider who'll charge circa £1.80 per month but you never need to use it etc you could if you wanted and if you were calling from it with VOIP to the UK it wouldnt be considered an international call.

The only downside is you would then need to Port In the number when you want to take it back to a mobile rather than just get a PAC code. All should be able to do it but it's a little unusual so may take a more competent advisor to help you.

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6656536/expat-roam-like-at-home-restriction-limit

You seem to want to "roam like home" but actually you are at your home so not roaming.

Maybe visit your old friends and family once every 6 months and make a call.

Frozen_up_north

Popping over to the UK every 3 months to make a call may not result in "free" roaming until the next UK visit. Most networks regard overseas roaming as holiday, or business trip, use. ie 2 or 3 weeks every few months with significant UK use between overseas trips. Permanent overseas use may also result in the overseas network blocking the number too.

Do like many other ex-pats do and use WhatsApp or FaceTime, etc. with your French number.