Number transfer failed? How to move your mobile number in Ireland

What do you need to move your number to another network?

Ask the new provider to move it and give your mobile number. On bill pay you also need the account number on your bill; on prepay you are asked whether the number is registered, meaning your old provider has your name and address. Keep the old SIM working: you confirm the move with a code sent to it.

Do not cancel your old plan first: Irish rules end the old contract automatically when the move completes. If the old provider still has months left on a contract, it can charge for them; each provider's switching page shows its exit fee.

Why did my number transfer fail?

Because a detail did not match. Vodafone's and Clear's terms list information that "does not match the data held by your Donor Operator", a number reported lost or stolen, or a number already returned to the pool. eir, GoMo and Three add money owed to your old provider. GoMo also names a move already in progress.

• Wrong account type: eir says your account type and account number "must match your current mobile provider or your number move may be delayed or fail to complete". 48 and Virgin Media say the same about the type.
• Wrong account number: copy it from your latest bill or online account, exactly as shown. Tesco Mobile calls it the "Customer No"; its sample bill shows it as 1.1234567. If the form will not accept it, ask the new provider rather than guessing.
• Several numbers on one bill: choose bill pay multi-line. Virgin Media says to choose Multiline for the first numbers and BillPay for the last one left. eir counts a personal account as single-line even with several numbers on it.
• Leaving Lidl Connect: choose eir as your current provider. Leaving 48: 48 says you are on prepay and "don’t need to give them an account number".

What should you do after a failed number transfer?

Check the details against your latest bill or online account, correct the account type or number, and resubmit with the new provider: it leads the move and has to sort out problems with the old one. Your old SIM keeps working until the move completes, and the law says a failed move must leave you with your old service.

1. Read the failure message

   Lidl Connect shows the reason in the Lidl Plus app; 48 sends a text when something did not match. Ask the new provider what the old one replied.

2. Check against your bill

   eir says that if you confirm your details match your latest bill or online account, it takes the matter up with your old provider.

3. Resubmit

   With the corrected account type or number. A move that has started cannot be cancelled, and GoMo will not start a second one while one is in progress.

4. Escalate if it is still stuck

   Complain to the new provider and keep the reference. If it is not resolved, ComReg can take it up: see how on our customer service numbers page.

How long does a number transfer take in Ireland?

Usually a few hours, during porting hours. Three says 2 to 4 hours after your old network approves it, Vodafone 1 to 2 hours, Tesco Mobile and Virgin Media up to 2 hours, and eir anything from minutes to 24 hours. Accounts with several numbers take longer: up to 8 hours at Tesco and 48 hours at eir and GoMo.

Porting hours are 8am to 6pm on weekdays at every provider, but weekend hours differ: 10am to 4pm (Tesco Mobile, 48’s help pages), 8am to 4pm (Three), or 10am to 5pm (Virgin Media's form). An Post Mobile's terms say moves happen on weekdays only. The move is done when your old SIM shows no service.

What if your old network will not release your number?

Raise it with your new provider first: under Irish rules it leads the move, and the old provider must release the number once the request is valid. Service may not be lost for more than one working day, and a failed move must leave your old service working. eir, GoMo and Three may refuse when money is owed.

ComReg has no published rule on refusing a move because of unpaid bills, and no provider explains error messages such as "no such block". If you think a refusal is wrong, complain to the provider, keep the reference, and go to ComReg if it is not resolved within ten working days.

Can you get compensation for a delayed number transfer?

Yes. Since July 2024 every provider must publish a compensation scheme for porting delays and lost service, and since January 2026 its customer charter must link to it. Amounts differ, from €1 a day at eir and GoMo to €3 a day at Vodafone and Virgin Media. eir, GoMo and Lidl Connect exclude moves that failed on wrong account details.

Are you still in contract, and what happens to your credit?

If you are unsure whether a minimum term has ended, ComReg says to ask your provider or check your contract: service carries on after it ends. Leaving early usually costs the monthly price for each month left. On prepay you can ask the provider you leave to refund unused credit, which Irish law requires on request.

Exit fees and notice for each provider are on its switching page, and refunds of unused prepay credit on unused credit.