11
If you’ve received a message saying that your prepaid SIM card has expired or is about to expire, it’s usually not too late. We’ll show you what to do next.
Why do prepaid SIM cards expire?
- Every assigned number costs the mobile carrier money. Since prepaid cards are sometimes used for only a few weeks or months, they expire after a certain period of time.
- This not only helps manage user numbers but also complies with data protection regulations. The credit on a prepaid SIM card generally never expires. You can still get a refund even after the card has been deactivated.
Prepaid SIM card expired—what should you do?
- Each provider handles this differently. In some cases, the card is blocked after you haven’t topped it up for 6 months. Most providers, however, don’t block the card until after 2 years of inactivity.
- You’ll usually receive a written reminder at least one month in advance. Depending on the provider, you may simply need to top up your prepaid balance or make a call to reactivate the card.
- After the deadline has passed, the card will be permanently blocked. In some cases, however, you’ll still have up to 3 months to reactivate it.
- In theory, it’s still possible to withdraw the balance even years later. Prepaid balances cannot expire. To request a withdrawal, you must contact the respective customer service department.
