How To Cancel Your Vodafone Contract: Exit Fees, Notice & Your Phone Number

There are three ways to cancel your contract with Vodafone. Find out how to cancel your Vodafone contract, including exit fees, notice periods and keeping your Vodafone number.

If you've decided you want to end your Vodafone contract, there are three different ways you can cancel your contract with them. The best way to cancel your Vodafone plan depends on whether you're planning to join another network. It also depends on whether you'd like to keep your Vodafone phone number, or whether you'd like to start afresh with a new one on your next mobile network.

In this article, we'll discuss the three different ways to cancel your contract with Vodafone. We'll discuss the Vodafone PAC Code process, the Vodafone STAC Code process and Vodafone's standard cancellation process. We'll also discuss any early exit fees and notice periods that might apply when ending your contract through each of the three methods. Finally, we'll share a couple of tips on how you might be able to avoid paying these extra charges.

Cancelling Your Vodafone Contract

There are three ways to cancel your contract with Vodafone. Please select the option that best applies to you:

• I'm joining another network and would like to keep my Vodafone phone number
  Follow the PAC Code process to cancel your Vodafone contract and to take your phone number elsewhere.
• I'm joining another network and would like to start afresh with a new phone number
  Use the STAC Code process to cancel your Vodafone contract.
• I'm not moving to another mobile network
  Follow Vodafone's standard cancellation process (a 30-day notice period will apply).

How To Cancel Your Vodafone Contract: The Three Different Ways

The following table shows a side-by-side comparison of the three ways to cancel your Vodafone contract:

Vodafone Cancellation Process	Joining New Network?	Cancellation Method	Notice Period & Charges*
PAC Code	✔ Yes (with number)	Online, SMS or phone	Not required
STAC Code	✔ Yes (without number)	Online, SMS or phone	Not required
Standard Cancellation	✘ No	Phone	30 days' notice is required

* If you're within the minimum term of your contract, early exit fees from Vodafone will apply on all three cancellation methods.

Read on to find out more about each cancellation process, including all the steps you'll need to take to cancel your contract with Vodafone.

PAC Code Cancellation

The most common way to cancel your contract with Vodafone is by following the PAC Code process (also known as the Porting Authorisation Code process). This is the cancellation method you should normally use if you're leaving Vodafone to join another mobile network. You’ll take your phone number with you to the new network when following the PAC Code process.

You can get a PAC Code from Vodafone in one of the following three ways:

1. Online: You can get a PAC Code from Vodafone by logging in to the My Vodafone website. Once you've logged in, go to Account settings > Mobile switching.
2. By Text Message: You can get a Vodafone PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from Vodafone.
3. By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling Vodafone. To do this, call them on 191 using your Vodafone handset. Alternatively, dial 03333 040 191 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Vodafone's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 8am-9pm, Sunday 8am-9pm).

For step-by-step instructions on following the PAC Code process, please select the mobile network that you’re planning to join:

The PAC Code process is closely regulated by Ofcom (the UK's telecommunications regulator). You can therefore get a PAC Code from Vodafone in three different ways: either online, by text message or phone call.

There's no need to give 30 days' notice to end your contract with a PAC Code. Providing you're outside the minimum term of your contract, Vodafone can only charge you up until the date when your PAC Code is used. If you're inside the minimum term of your contract, early exit fees may still apply.

STAC Code Cancellation

Vodafone's STAC Code cancellation process (Service Termination Authorisation Code) is also used when you're moving to another mobile network. However, with a Vodafone STAC Code, you'll start afresh with a different phone number on your new mobile network.

For step-by-step instructions on how to follow the Vodafone STAC Code process, please select the mobile network that you're planning to join:

Like the PAC Code cancellation process, the STAC Code process is also closely regulated by Ofcom. Compared to Vodafone's standard cancellation process, the advantage of using a Vodafone STAC Code when you're outside the minimum term of your contract is that Vodafone will only be able to charge you up until the date your STAC Code is used (a 30-day notice period does not apply). If you're within the minimum term of your contract, an early exit fee may still apply.

Vodafone Standard Cancellation

Vodafone's standard cancellation process should only be used when you're not joining another mobile network. With the standard cancellation process, you'll need to call Vodafone to tell them you want to end your contract. A 30 day notice period will then apply, over which you'll need to continue paying your normal monthly line rental.

Because the standard cancellation process involves a lot more hassle (including a phone call to Vodafone customer services) and because it requires you to give 30 days' notice, we'd always recommend using the PAC Code or STAC Code process to cancel your contract where possible. In fact, you can simply order a free Pay As You Go SIM card from any mobile network (you'll then be able to follow the PAC Code or STAC Code process).

You can request a standard cancellation by calling Vodafone customer services on 191. This is available from Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 8am-9pm, Sunday 8am-9pm.

If you're cancelling your contract within the first 14 days, you may still be within Vodafone's cooling off period. In this case, early termination charges might not apply.

Early Exit Fees on Vodafone

If you're inside the minimum term of your contract with Vodafone, you'll need to pay something called an "early termination charge" (ETC) or "early exit fee". This will essentially pay off the remainder of your contract.

On Vodafone, you’ll need to pay an early termination fee that is 98% of the remaining payments over the minimum term of your contract. This is based on Vodafone giving you a 2% discount.

This formula for calculating the early termination fee is detailed within the Vodafone terms and conditions:

Early termination fee

If you cancel a contract for your plan before your agreement ends, you’ll need to pay an early termination fee. The fee is based on your monthly plan charge and the remaining time left on your contact, and can be calculated as follows:
…
For disconnections completed on or after 24th February 2021:

Monthly line rental charge (inc. VAT) × remaining contract (months) × 98%

The following worked example is given on the Vodafone website:

Your plan costs £45 a month, and you receive a £10 monthly discount. This means you pay £35 a month in total.

You have 6 months left until your plan ends, and you want to leave.

• To work out your outstanding charges for these remaining 6 months, we multiply what you pay each month (£35) by 6 = £210
• Then we take 2% from that £210 to get your final ETF = £205.80

If you have a Vodafone EVO plan, you can simply pay off the remainder of your device plan at any time:

Customers who have settled a Device Plan in full and early, and subsequently terminate the associated airtime or connectivity plan, will not be charged any Early Termination Fees based on the associated airtime or connectivity contract.

You can find out the early termination charge that applies to your contract by texting INFO to 85075.

An early exit fee will apply regardless of whichever cancellation process you follow. If it's likely you'll need to pay an early cancellation charge, consider the alternatives here that will allow you to side-step those charges (e.g. upgrading your mobile phone outside of the existing contract with Vodafone, or using apps and accessories to improve the coverage at home).

Alternatives

If you're stuck within the minimum term of your Vodafone contract, there may be alternatives to cancelling it (e.g. perhaps changing your handset outside of the Vodafone contract or finding other ways to improve your coverage from Vodafone).

If you'd like to reduce the size of your Vodafone mobile phone bill, there may also be some alternative networks that will offer you a cheaper deal but with the same level of coverage as Vodafone.

Changing Your Handset

If you're wanting to upgrade to a newer smartphone, you can follow the PAC Code or STAC Code cancellation process when moving to another mobile network.

If you're stuck within the minimum term of your Vodafone contract, it's likely this would trigger an early termination charge. To avoid this, consider keeping your existing Vodafone contract but changing your handset outside of it.

You can buy an unlocked SIM-free smartphone from retailers like Amazon or the Carphone Warehouse. Your existing Vodafone SIM card will slot inside the new handset, allowing you to use the remaining months on your contract. When your existing Vodafone contract finally comes to an end, you can then switch to a lower-cost SIM-only deal.

Poor Vodafone Coverage

If you'd like to cancel your contract due to poor mobile coverage from Vodafone, it's likely that an early termination charge would still apply if you're inside the minimum term of your contract.

To avoid paying an unnecessary early termination fee, look to see if you're able to improve the coverage from Vodafone. For instance, it might be possible to use a feature like Wi-Fi Calling for better indoor coverage on Vodafone.

In addition, it's worth contacting Vodafone customer services to see if anything else can be done to improve the coverage where you live. You can reach them by calling 191 from your Vodafone mobile phone. For instance, there might be upcoming work scheduled in your area to improve the strength of the signal. Alternatively, Vodafone might be able to provide you with apps or accessories to improve the coverage where you live.

Alternatives to Vodafone

If you're happy with the coverage you receive on Vodafone but would like to find a way to reduce your monthly phone bill, consider getting a SIM-only deal that piggybacks on Vodafone coverage. You'll normally be able to get more data and at a lower price than your Vodafone plan. This will help to save you money whilst giving you the same coverage you currently get on Vodafone.

You can get the same coverage as Vodafone on ASDA Mobile, Lebara Mobile and VOXI. You can use the following the interactive search tool to find an alternative to Vodafone:

For more information, see our full guide to mobile networks that use Vodafone coverage.

More Information

For more information, read our in-depth guide to early exit fees and how to transfer your phone number to another network. You can also see the Vodafone website for information about cancelling your contract.