People hate wasting time being locked out of their accounts while travelling or living abroad. It’s incredibly annoying when you just need things to work, not to mention it can also be very embarrassing. Imagine not being able to pay for dinner in Paris because you didn’t tell your bank you were travelling. Imagine someone steals your credit card and your provider is trying to notify you, but the SMS and calls never get through because you’re overseas. These are real scenarios where a permanent UK phone number can be a lifesaver.
Whether you’re relocating overseas, working remotely or simply travelling, you still need to be able to log into your UK banking apps, deal with the HMRC, or verify a credit card payment every now and then. The real kicker is the dreaded One-Time Passcode (OTP). If you can't get that simple text, you're completely stuck. And with surcharge-free roaming now a thing of the past, the OTP problem is becoming even more difficult to navigate. If you don't have your UK SIM card anymore, or if you lose it, you will likely be stranded. Or if you do have it, you’re probably going to be paying expensive roaming charges just to keep your old number alive to access SMS. Even that won’t be guaranteed with more and more separation predicted in the future.
So, with that in mind, here are a few ways to solve this problem.
1. The virtual mobile number eSIM app (what we call the ultimate solution)
Virtual numbers act like local numbers and can be used anywhere. No more roaming fees or swapping SIM cards in your mobile device. Instead of relying on a tiny plastic SIM and facing a massive international roaming bill, you can handle everything digitally. Cooee is one provider that enables you to have UK mobile numbers directly through an all-in-one eSIM app.
You can port your existing number in before you leave the UK, or simply grab a new number while you’re already overseas. This option removes the need for a physical SIM card entirely. Simply register and download the app, activate your dedicated UK number, and complete a quick ID verification (this is mandated by Ofcom). The number integrates directly with standard cellular networks, so it is accepted for OTPs, secure banking alerts, and official account verifications.
You receive text messages instantly via data or Wi-Fi from anywhere in the world. There are zero roaming fees, plans start from £10 per month and you can even mix and match multiple country numbers on one account. Of course, it’s worth noting that you need a stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or travel data) to receive your incoming messages. The good news here is that Cooee can also provide this for you, if you need data included in your package.
2. The "switch to Wi-Fi Calling (VoWiFi)" hack
If you still have your UK SIM card but want to avoid roaming networks, Wi-Fi Calling can act as a temporary workaround. Enable this setting on your device which will route calls and text messages over a Wi-Fi connection instead of a standard cellular tower. If your UK network provider supports international SMS over Wi-Fi, you can even turn on Airplane Mode, connect to Wi-Fi, and your phone will register as if it is back home.
The great thing about this is that it’s free to receive text messages over Wi-Fi and it uses your existing UK number. The danger is that many UK mobile providers don’t actually support SMS over Wi-Fi while roaming internationally. If your phone runs a software update or loses network registration while you’re abroad, it can be incredibly difficult to reactivate the line without returning to the UK.
3. Change authentication methods to in-app approvals
This one is for the super organised folks out there. Many UK financial institutions are moving away from traditional SMS messages because of security concerns and international delivery failures. You can go into every one of your apps or banking portals before you travel to review your security or two-factor authentication settings. A lot of banks allow you to switch your default verification method to in-app push notifications, where you simply open the app and tap to approve transactions.
This operates completely independently of any phone number or SIM card. As long as your banking app is installed and you have an internet connection, it works really well. But government portals like HMRC and certain older banking systems still require a real mobile number for SMS OTP codes. If you upgrade your phone or lose access to the app, you’ll need a working phone number to verify your identity anyway.
4. Downgrade to a low-cost, pay-as-you-go UK SIM (the cheap option)
If you want to keep ownership of a standard mobile number but want to avoid high monthly contracts, you can always downscale your service. You need to do this before moving away. Walk into a shop and transfer your UK number to a low-cost, pay-as-you-go provider. Keep the physical SIM card inside a secondary device or use a dual-SIM slot in your mobile phone, making sure data roaming is firmly switched off (this is the cheap option afterall). Because receiving an SMS is generally free with most international roaming structures, your bank codes will land on your device automatically.
This is highly reliable for standard SMS verifications, but you have to keep an extra physical SIM card that can easily be lost, damaged, or expire. You also need to be wary that most providers require you to make a paid call or send a text every few months to keep the line active. Forgetting this step means they recycle your number, locking you out of your accounts forever.
5. Use hardware tokens or a physical card reader (the old school option)
Some UK banks still distribute physical card readers or standalone hardware tokens to their customers. When completing a transaction or logging in, you slide your debit card into a small electronic reader, enter your PIN, and the device generates a secure offline passcode.
This works almost entirely offline without needing a cell signal, internet connection, or phone number. The downside is that you’ll be carrying plastic readers everywhere you travel, which we reckon is highly inconvenient. If the battery dies, or if you leave the device behind halfway across the world, you’re stranded until you can get a replacement mailed out.
Several options to choose from... but our pick is the modern solution
While some of you might love carrying around plastic card readers or hoping your Wi-Fi calling doesn't disconnect, peace of mind when staying connected abroad is priceless for most of us. Either tolerate exorbitant roaming bills and guard your SIM with your life, or run the risk of being de-activated (which is a dealbreaker for anyone who needs to receive their communications overseas).
Virtual number providers like Cooee enable you to get a secure, permanent UK mobile number that travels with you inside an app. You can manage inwards and outwards calling, access your voicemail anywhere, and receive banking OTPs instantly without unexpected bills or dropped networks. If you want a reliable, no-frills tool to handle your UK financial verification anywhere on earth, visit callcooee.com to get your virtual UK number.
