How to Maintain a US Phone Number While Living Abroad in 2025

You’re moving to Portugal for a year. Or Thailand for six months. Or you’re already abroad and realize you need your US phone number for banking, 2FA codes, job applications, and staying connected.

The problem: US carriers charge $50-100 per month for international plans. And if you cancel, you lose your number forever.

There are better options. Here’s how to keep your US number active while living abroad without paying carrier rates.

Why You Need to Keep Your US Number

Before we get to solutions, understand what you’ll lose without a US number:

Banking and Finance

2FA codes from banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo)
Fraud alerts via SMS
Credit card verification
Brokerage accounts (Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard)
PayPal, Venmo, Cash App verification

Professional

LinkedIn verification
Job applications (US employers expect US number)
Professional networking
Freelance platform verification (Upwork, Fiverr)

Government and Legal

IRS correspondence
Social Security Administration
USCIS (if applicable)
State DMV notifications
Voter registration in some states

Services and Accounts

Amazon, Netflix, streaming services
Google, Apple, Microsoft accounts
Uber, Lyft, DoorDash
Hotels, airlines, loyalty programs
Pretty much any US-based service

Reality: Nearly impossible to maintain US financial and digital life without US phone number.

Option 1: Google Voice (Best for Most People)

Cost: Free Setup time: 30 minutes Difficulty: Easy (if done before leaving US)

How It Works

Google Voice gives you a US phone number that forwards to any phone worldwide. You keep your number, receive calls and texts, and it costs nothing.

Requirements

US phone number to set up initially (can port your existing number)
US IP address during setup (or VPN)
Gmail account

What You Get

Real US phone number (your choice of area code)
Receive SMS/calls anywhere
Make free calls to US/Canada
Voicemail transcription
Works on any device (web, iOS, Android)

Limitations

Must set up while in US (or with US number and VPN)
Some banks/services block VoIP numbers for verification
Call quality varies internationally
Can’t port to another carrier later (you’re locked in)
Google can suspend account (rare but happens)

Setup Process

Before Leaving US:

Go to voice.google.com
Click “Get Google Voice”
Choose US number (pick area code)
Verify with your current US number
Choose: Keep both numbers or port your existing number
Port costs $20 if moving your current number to Google Voice
Takes 24 hours to complete port

If Already Abroad:

Need someone in US to help (friend/family)
Use their US number for initial verification
Or use VPN + temporary US number service
More complicated but possible

Making It Work Abroad

Calls: Free to US/Canada via Google Voice app or web
SMS: Receive on Google Voice app
Give this as your “US number” for all services
Keep your foreign SIM for local calls/data

Costs

Setup: $0-20 (free if new number, $20 to port existing)
Monthly: $0
US calls: $0
International calls: $0.01-0.20 per minute

Best for: US citizens leaving temporarily (1-3 years) who have US number to start with.

Option 2: Keep Your Current Carrier (Expensive but Simple)

Cost: $50-100+ per month Setup time: 5 minutes (call carrier) Difficulty: Easy

The Plans

T-Mobile International

$50/month base plan
$15/month international add-on
Unlimited data (slow speeds)
Calls: Additional charges
Total: $65+/month

AT&T International Day Pass

$35+/month base plan
$10 per day you use phone abroad
Full speed data those days
Total: Varies, expensive if using often

Verizon TravelPass

$35+/month base plan
$10 per day you use phone
500MB high-speed data per day
Total: $10/day adds up fast

The Math

If you’re abroad 6 months and use your phone 15 days per month:

AT&T/Verizon: $35 base + $150 (15 days) = $185/month
Over 6 months: $1,110
Google Voice same period: $0

When This Makes Sense

Short trips (under 1 month)
You need everything to “just work”
Company pays for it
You’re returning to US frequently

Best for: Short-term travelers or people with unlimited budget.

Option 3: Minimal Carrier Plan + Google Voice

Cost: $15-30 per month Setup time: 1 hour Difficulty: Medium

The Strategy

Keep your carrier on cheapest possible plan just to maintain number, but forward everything to Google Voice for actual use.

Cheapest Carrier Plans

T-Mobile Connect

$10/month (500MB data) or $15/month (3GB)
Keeps your number active
Use only for maintaining account

AT&T Prepaid

$25/month minimum
Can pause occasionally

Mint Mobile

$15/month (4GB)
T-Mobile network
Good for maintaining number

US Mobile

$18/month (2GB)
Can customize plan

How to Set It Up

Downgrade carrier plan to cheapest option
Set up Google Voice with new number
Forward all calls/texts from carrier to Google Voice
Update all services with Google Voice number
Keep carrier SIM in drawer, use only to receive port verification codes if needed

Why Do This

Keeps your original number “alive”
Can port back to regular carrier if returning to US
Google Voice can’t be ported out (you’re not locked in same way)
Some banks require traditional carrier number

Best for: People planning to return to US who want flexibility.

Option 4: Virtual US Number Services

Cost: $2-15 per month Setup time: 15 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Popular Services

OpenPhone

$15/month
Business-focused features
Good for professional use
Can receive calls/SMS

Tossable Digits

$5-10/month
Multiple numbers available
Quick setup

Hushed

$4-8/month
Privacy-focused
Disposable numbers option

Burner

$5/month
Temporary numbers
Good for testing

Limitations

These are VoIP numbers. Many services block them:

Banks often reject for verification
Government sites may not accept
Not seen as “real” phone numbers
Can’t port out to carrier

When Virtual Numbers Work

Professional separate line
Business calling number
Privacy for online purchases
Secondary verification method
Don’t need bank acceptance

Best for: Additional numbers, business use, not as primary US identity number.

Option 5: US Mobile MVNO Plans

Cost: $10-25 per month Setup time: 20 minutes Difficulty: Easy

What MVNOs Are

Mobile Virtual Network Operators use major carrier networks (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon) but charge less.

Good Options for Expats

Tello (T-Mobile network)

$10/month unlimited text + 500MB data
Keep number active
Can receive SMS internationally

Ultra Mobile

$15/month
Specifically designed for international users
Free international calling to some countries

Red Pocket

$15/month
Flexible plans
Multiple network options

How This Works

Order SIM online (shipped to US address)
Activate with US number
Keep SIM in drawer or in dual-SIM phone
Maintain number for under $20/month
Receive SMS via WiFi calling or when SIM inserted

Best for: People who want traditional carrier number without carrier prices.

Option 6: Port to VoIP Service

Cost: $2-5 per month Setup time: 3-5 days Difficulty: Medium

Services That Accept Ports

MySudo

$0.99/month per number
Privacy-focused
Can receive SMS

Numberbarn

$2-5/month depending on features
Number parking service
Can forward anywhere

Phone.com

$13/month
Business VoIP
Advanced features

Porting Process

Check if your number is portable
Request port from new service
They contact your carrier
Takes 3-5 business days
Your carrier charges final bill

Advantages

Cheaper than carrier
Keep your actual number
More flexible than Google Voice
Can port out later if needed

Disadvantages

Porting takes time (do before leaving US)
Some services have poor quality
May not work with all banks

Best for: People committed to being abroad long-term who want cheapest option.

Comparison Table

Method	Cost/Month	SMS Works	Calls Work	Bank Accepts	Easy Setup	Port Out Later
Google Voice	$0	Yes	Yes	Sometimes	Easy*	No
Keep Carrier	$50-100+	Yes	Yes	Yes	Easy	Yes
Minimal Carrier	$15-30	Yes	Yes	Yes	Easy	Yes
Virtual Numbers	$2-15	Yes	Yes	Rarely	Easy	No
MVNO	$10-25	Yes	Yes	Yes	Medium	Yes
VoIP Port	$2-5	Yes	Yes	Sometimes	Medium	Maybe

*Easy if done before leaving US

What Banks Accept

Testing with major US banks:

Accept Google Voice

Capital One (usually)
Discover
Some credit unions
PayPal (sometimes)

Reject Google Voice

Chase (inconsistent)
Bank of America (blocks VoIP)
Wells Fargo (blocks VoIP)
Citibank (blocks VoIP)
Most major banks (safer to avoid)

Accept Traditional Carrier/MVNO

All major banks
All credit cards
All financial institutions

Key insight: For banking, traditional carrier or MVNO better than Google Voice or virtual numbers.

Hybrid Approach (Recommended)

Most expats end up with combination:

Setup:

Keep minimal carrier or MVNO plan ($15-25/month)
Use carrier number for banking, government, important services
Set up Google Voice for everything else
Give Google Voice to friends, job applications, general use
Keep carrier number for critical services only

Why this works:

Banks happy with real carrier number
Most communication free via Google Voice
Reasonable monthly cost
Flexibility to return to US easily

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Canceling Carrier Too Soon

If you cancel carrier without porting number somewhere, you lose it forever. Can’t get it back.

Solution: Port to Google Voice or another service BEFORE canceling carrier.

Mistake 2: Not Testing from Abroad

Many services say they work internationally but don’t. Test everything before you need it.

Solution: Make test calls/texts after moving abroad. Verify before emergency.

Mistake 3: Only Using VoIP for Banking

Bank eventually asks you to verify by calling from your number. VoIP numbers often fail.

Solution: Keep one traditional carrier/MVNO number for financial services.

Mistake 4: Forgetting to Update Contacts

You port to Google Voice but clients still have your old carrier number.

Solution: Send update to important contacts. Set voicemail on old number explaining new number.

Mistake 5: Not Having Backup

Google Voice goes down. Services have outages. Bank needs to call you urgently.

Solution: Have two methods. Primary + backup. Never rely on single solution.

Tax and Legal Considerations

Maintaining US Address

Most services require US address. Use:

Family member address
Mail forwarding service
Virtual mailbox service

Voter Registration

Some states require US phone number for registration. Check your state requirements.

State Residency

Maintaining phone number doesn’t determine tax residency. That’s separate issue. Consult tax professional.

Special Situations

Moving to Country with Local Number Requirements

Some countries (Germany, Japan) require local number for residence permit.

Solution: Get local number for legal requirements, keep US number for US services.

Banking While Abroad

Banks may lock account if they see foreign logins without US number.

Solution: Keep US number active, use VPN when accessing bank websites.

Returning to US Temporarily

If visiting US multiple times per year, regular carrier plan might make sense despite cost.

Solution: Calculate break-even. If in US more than 5-7 days per month, carrier plan cheaper than daily passes.

Setup Timeline

8 Weeks Before Leaving US:

Research options
Decide on primary method
Set up Google Voice if using it

4 Weeks Before:

Port number if going that route
Test services with banking
Update important contacts

2 Weeks Before:

Verify everything works
Set up forwarding
Download apps needed

Departure Day:

Confirm you can receive texts
Test one call to verify
Have backup plan ready

First Week Abroad:

Test all services from new location
Verify SMS reception works
Make adjustments if needed

Monthly Cost Comparison (Annual)

Just Google Voice:

Year 1: $20 (setup) = $20 total
Subsequent years: $0
5-year total: $20

Keep Regular Carrier:

$65/month × 12 = $780/year
5-year total: $3,900

Minimal Carrier + Google Voice:

$20/month × 12 = $240/year
5-year total: $1,200

MVNO:

$15/month × 12 = $180/year
5-year total: $900

For someone abroad 5 years, choosing right solution saves $3,000-3,800.

The Bottom Line

For most people abroad 6+ months:

Set up Google Voice before leaving (free US calls/texts)
Keep minimal MVNO plan ($10-15/month) for banking
Use Google Voice for everything non-banking
Total cost: $10-15/month vs $50-100+ on carrier

For short trips (under 3 months): Keep regular carrier, accept the cost for simplicity.

For permanent expats: Port to VoIP service ($2-5/month) or just use Google Voice ($0).

For maximum reliability: Minimal carrier ($15/month) + Google Voice (free) = two numbers, maximum compatibility.

The key is not losing your number. Once it’s gone, you can’t get the same number back. Set up your solution before canceling anything.

Need to make international calls while keeping your US number? NomaPhone works perfectly alongside Google Voice and any US number solution. Call internationally at $0.03/minute while maintaining your US identity. Join the waitlist at nomaphone.com.