Switching from EE to Lebara Mobile? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from EE
If you’d like to move your phone number from EE to Lebara Mobile, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from EE.
There are three ways to get a PAC Code from EE:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from EE by logging in to the My EE website. Once you've logged in, go to Menu > Account settings > Leave EE.
- By Text Message: You can get an EE PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from EE.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling EE. To do this, call them on 150 using your EE handset. Alternatively, dial 07953 966 250 from any other phone. You'll need to call during EE's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday 8am-6pm).
Here are some key things to know:
- A PAC Code is 9 digits long and follows the format ABC 123 456.
- Your PAC Code is valid for 30 days. If you don't use it during this time, the PAC Code will expire and you'll need to request a new one.
- You shouldn't close your account at EE: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to Lebara Mobile.
Still in contract with EE? If so, you may need to pay an early exit fee on your bill from EE. To find out how much this would be, text INFO to 85075.
Don’t want to keep your EE phone number? You can switch to Lebara Mobile without taking your phone number with you. If you'd like to do this, get a STAC Code from EE instead.
EE STAC Code (Leave EE Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave EE without keeping your phone number, you’ll need to request a STAC Code rather than a PAC Code. There are three ways to get a STAC Code from EE:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from EE by logging in to the My EE website. After logging in, go to Menu > Account settings > Leave EE.
- By Text Message: You can get an EE STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from EE.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling EE. Call them on 150 using your EE handset. Alternatively, dial 07953 966 250 from any other phone. You'll need to call during EE's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday 8am-6pm).
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from EE, the rest of the process for joining Lebara Mobile remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from Lebara Mobile's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the Lebara Mobile website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from Lebara Mobile, the following deals from £4.50/month are currently most popular:
Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
---|---|---|---|
| 5GB data | £4.50 per month 12 month contract | See deal |
Offer ends 14th Jan | 10GB data | £7.00 per month 6 months half price 1 month rolling | See deal |
Offer ends 14th Jan | 20GB data | £8.00 per month 6 months half price 1 month rolling | See deal |
Offer ends 14th Jan | 30GB data | £9.00 per month 6 months half price 1 month rolling | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £22.50 per month 12 month contract | See deal |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest Lebara Mobile deals, please refer to this page on Lebara Mobile's website.
Lebara Mobile will assign you with a temporary phone number during the transition process. This will allow you to test out the service before you finally transfer your phone number to Lebara Mobile.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to Lebara Mobile
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from Lebara Mobile, switch it on and make sure everything's working properly. If, for whatever reason, you need to return or change the handset or SIM card, it's best to do this before transferring your phone number.
Once you're happy to continue with the phone number transfer, contact Lebara Mobile and provide them with your PAC Code from EE.
Your PAC Code should be entered on Lebara Mobile's online form. Alternatively, you can give the PAC Code to Lebara Mobile by calling 5588 on your Lebara Mobile handset. You can also call 020 3059 0304 from any other phone.
If you have a STAC Code from EE rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to Lebara Mobile in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to Lebara Mobile within 30 days of it being issued by EE. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from EE.
- EE Pay As You Go customers: Try to use up your remaining credit as it can't be transferred to Lebara Mobile.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
Once you've provided a PAC code to Lebara Mobile, your phone number transfer will normally be scheduled for the next working day (Monday to Friday only, excluding English bank holidays).
On the day of the transfer, you'll momentarily lose coverage on both mobile networks. When this happens, restart your handset on Lebara Mobile. You should find that the Lebara Mobile phone or SIM card will now associated with your original phone number.
- If you see an error message (e.g. "SIM card registration failed"), this means it's time to restart your phone.
- Once the phone number has been transferred to Lebara Mobile, your account on EE will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from EE for any outstanding charges.
Get the Latest Deals from Lebara Mobile →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (Lebara Mobile) with details of the problem.
If you have any other questions on using a PAC Code, please see my in-depth guide to transferring your phone number between networks. You can also read the comments below from other visitors to this website.
← Full Article: "PAC Codes - How to transfer your mobile number when switching networks"
Caren Thomas said:
Moving from EE to Lebara due to cost, don’t really want to leave EE as customer service is excellent, just trying to transfer my old number – first experience of Lebara – customer service shuts at 5.30 pm – seriously?
Ken replied:
Hi Caren,
Thanks for your comment. I’d probably agree with you that Lebara doesn’t have very good customer service. Is there a particular reason you’d like to move over to Lebara (e.g. for the international calls)? For most people, they tend not to be the cheapest option anyway (e.g. ASDA Mobile offers coverage from EE with better customer service and is normally comparable or even cheaper than Lebara).
Ken
Mike replied:
Login to your lebara account and use the link below – No need to call customer support.
https://mobile.lebara.com/gb/en/portin
Claire Derham said:
my partner is moving from ee to lebara does she have to turn phone off and on again to complete transfer thanks
Ken replied:
Hi Claire,
Yes, you’ll normally need to restart your handset when you lose coverage to complete the phone number transfer 🙂
Ken