Yes, some UK mobile networks will cover the cost of leaving your old contract early, typically by crediting your account after you switch. The catch is that these offers come and go, so availability in May 2026 depends on which networks are running promotions at any given time. Your first step is always to find out exactly what your current buyout figure is before you do anything else.
Three, Vodafone and O2 have all run "we'll pay off your old contract" promotions at various points, usually tied to signing a new 24-month deal on a flagship handset. These deals are not permanent features of any network's pricing. They tend to appear around January sales and Black Friday, then quietly disappear. If you see one advertised, check the small print for a cap, many offers top out at £100 or £150, which may not cover your remaining balance.
Before you can judge whether a buyout deal actually covers you, you need the precise figure from your current network. EE makes this straightforward. Text the word Info to 85075 and EE will reply with the amount you owe to leave early. As the EE Community forum confirms: "It will tell you how much you will need to pay before you can leave." Other networks require a call to customer services or a check inside their app.
The standard formula is: remaining months multiplied by your monthly airtime charge, minus a small discount (usually one or two months' worth). If your contract bundles handset finance separately from airtime, the two figures are calculated independently. Pay close attention to this split, because a buyout offer from a new network may only cover the airtime portion, leaving you still liable for the handset finance.
Yes. Request a PAC (Porting Authorisation Code) from your current network by texting PAC to 65075. Your network must provide it within one working day under Ofcom rules. Give the PAC to your new network when you sign up and your number moves across, usually within one working day. Getting the PAC does not trigger any early termination charge on its own.
Specialist mobile retailers sometimes run their own incentives on top of network offers. Fonehouse, which has traded in the UK mobile market since 1994, employs a team focused on sourcing deals across networks including EE, Vodafone and O2, covering handsets from Apple, Samsung and Google. All handsets sold are brand-new rather than refurbished. Checking a retailer like this alongside going direct to a network can surface offers that do not appear on the network's own site. MoneySavingExpert's forum is also a reliable place to spot time-limited buyout promotions as they appear.
The biggest risk is assuming a buyout credit will arrive before your first bill from the new network. Most networks pay the credit after 30 to 90 days, and some require you to submit proof of your final bill from the old provider. If the credit is late, you may face two sets of charges in the same month. Read the terms before signing, and keep a copy of your final bill from your old network as evidence.
## Quotations > If you want to buy out your contract text Info to 85075. It will tell you how much you will need to pay before you can leave. > — EE Community forum post (EE Community) (https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Contracts-Billing/Buying-out-remainder-contract-n-keep-phone-number/td-p/1450010) ## Frequently asked questions ### how do I find out my EE contract buyout amount Text the word 'Info' to 85075 and EE will reply with the exact amount you owe to leave your contract early. This is the quickest way to get your precise buyout figure before considering any switching offers. ### which UK networks will pay off my old contract Three, Vodafone and O2 have all offered contract buyout promotions at various times, typically around January sales and Black Friday. These deals are not permanent and usually come with a cap of £100 to £150, so check the small print to see if it covers your full remaining balance. ### do mobile phone companies really pay your contract buyout Yes, some networks do cover contract buyout costs by crediting your account when you switch, but these offers are temporary promotions rather than standard features. Availability changes throughout the year, so you need to check current deals and compare them against your actual buyout figure before committing. ### how much does it cost to buy out a mobile contract UK Your buyout cost depends on your remaining contract length and your current plan. Contact your network directly or use their app to find out-EE customers can text 'Info' to 85075 for an instant response. ### what's the best way to compare contract buyout deals First, get your exact buyout figure from your current provider, then check which networks are running buyout promotions and what their caps are. Compare the promotion amount against your actual buyout cost to see if switching will save you money overall. ## Sources 1. [Buying out remainder contract n keep phone number - The EE Community](https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Contracts-Billing/Buying-out-remainder-contract-n-keep-phone-number/td-p/1450010) (community.ee.co.uk) 2. [Best Mobile Phone Deals & Cheap Contracts | Fonehouse](https://www.fonehouse.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOopWh30VKL9zrGBDgrOsRuKqLEiMH5ztfaRPoLZtmnSMmcrU35wr) (www.fonehouse.co.uk)