- UK geographic landline numbers begin with an area code (for example 020 for London or 0161 for Manchester) that is tied to a telephone exchange area, as set out in Ofcom's National Telephone Numbering Plan.
- Whether you can keep a traditional landline number after a house move depends largely on whether the new address sits in the same exchange or numbering area.
- Ofcom administers the numbering plan and the rules on how geographic numbers are allocated and used by communications providers.
- VoIP and digital voice services can be more location-flexible, because the number is hosted on the provider's platform rather than fixed to a physical exchange line.
- The PSTN copper network is being retired as Openreach completes the all-IP migration by 2027, so most moves now involve a digital voice connection.
You can usually keep a landline number if you stay within the same exchange area. Move outside it and a traditional number often changes, though VoIP can let you keep a number anywhere.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Why landline numbers are tied to a location
A UK geographic landline number is not simply a label: it is allocated within Ofcom's National Telephone Numbering Plan according to the area code, and historically that code maps to a particular telephone exchange. The 020 code identifies London, 0117 identifies Bristol, and so on. This geographic anchoring is the reason a house move can affect whether you keep your number, because the number was issued against the exchange that serves your old address.
When you move within the area served by the same exchange, the line at your new address can often be set up to carry your existing number. When you move to an address served by a different exchange or a different area code, a traditional copper or fibre line at the new property is not able to host the old number, because that number belongs to the original numbering area.
It is worth understanding why this restriction exists. The numbering plan was designed in an era when calls were physically routed through the local exchange that matched the dialling code, so the number and the exchange were inseparable. Even as the network has modernised, that geographic association has been preserved for traditional lines, which is why providers cannot simply move a 0161 number onto a line in a 020 area. Knowing this in advance helps set realistic expectations before you arrange a move.
Your options when you move house
The first step is to tell your provider your moving date and new address well in advance, ideally several weeks before. The provider checks whether your existing number can be retained at the new address. If the new home is in the same exchange or numbering area, retention is often possible. If it is not, the provider will allocate a new number that fits the area code of your new location.
There are a few practical points to weigh. If your number is widely used for business, family or official contacts, the inconvenience of a change matters. In that situation, a VoIP or digital voice service that can host your number independently of the physical line may let you keep it even across a move to a new area. Ask your provider specifically whether your current number can be carried to the new address before you assume either outcome.
Timing also matters. If you decide a change of number is acceptable, arranging the new service and number to be ready for your moving date avoids a gap with no working phone. If keeping the number is the priority, it can be worth resolving the porting route well before you move, because doing it in a rush on moving day leaves little room to correct problems. Either way, written confirmation from the provider about what number you will have at the new address is the most reliable safeguard against surprises.
Landline number options when moving house
The table below sets out the common scenarios and the typical outcome for your number.
| Scenario | Number outcome | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Same exchange area | Number can often be kept | Confirm retention with provider |
| Different area code | Traditional number usually changes | Request a new number or consider VoIP |
| Move to VoIP before moving | Number can travel with you | Port number to VoIP provider first |
| No fixed line at new home | Digital voice over broadband | Ask about all-IP voice setup |
VoIP as a location-neutral alternative
Voice over Internet Protocol services route calls over a broadband connection rather than a fixed copper pair, which loosens the link between a number and a physical exchange. Because a VoIP number is hosted on the provider's platform, it can in many cases be retained when you move to a different part of the country, since the service follows your internet connection rather than your address.
This flexibility is one reason VoIP appeals to people who move frequently or who want to keep a long-standing number. If keeping your number across an area-code boundary matters, one approach is to port the number to a VoIP provider before the move, so the number is already detached from the original exchange line. As the all-IP migration completes by 2027, digital voice over broadband is becoming the standard way home phone services are delivered.
There are some trade-offs to understand with VoIP. Because it depends on a broadband connection and mains power, the phone will not work during a power cut or broadband outage unless there is a backup arrangement, which differs from the older copper line that drew power from the exchange. Providers offering digital voice are expected to consider the needs of customers who rely on their phone, including during a power cut, so it is worth asking what resilience options are available if you depend on the line. Weighing the location flexibility of VoIP against these practical points helps you decide whether porting your number to a digital service is the right move.
Practical steps to take before moving day
Notify your provider as early as you can and give the exact new address so it can run an availability and retention check. Ask two specific questions: can my existing number be kept at the new address, and if not, what number will I be given. Getting this in writing avoids confusion on moving day.
If you rely on the number for telecare, alarms or medical contacts, raise this with your provider too, because continuity of service is especially important in those cases. Update anyone who needs your number once the move is confirmed, and test calls in both directions at the new property to make sure the line and number are working as expected.
Keep a short checklist for the changeover. Note your old number, the new number if it is changing, the agreed activation date and your order reference. On arrival, plug in the phone, listen for a dial tone or check the digital voice indicator on the router, then call the line from a mobile and make an outgoing call. If anything is wrong, contact the provider immediately with your reference rather than waiting, because problems are easier to resolve close to the switch date. Where the move involves a digital voice service, confirm the handset connects to the correct socket on the router rather than an old wall socket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my landline number when I move house?
Often yes if you move within the same exchange or numbering area, because the number is tied to that area. If you move outside it, a traditional landline number usually has to change. A VoIP service can sometimes let you keep the number regardless of where you move.
What if I move to a different area code?
Moving to an address with a different area code generally means a traditional copper or fibre line cannot host your old number, so the provider allocates a new number matching the new area. If keeping the original number is important, ask about porting it to a VoIP or digital voice service that is not fixed to the local exchange.
Can I port my landline number to VoIP when I move?
In many cases yes. Because VoIP numbers are hosted on the provider's platform rather than a physical line, they can travel with you to a new address. Porting the number to a VoIP provider before you move is one way to detach it from the original exchange so it is not lost in the move.
How do I get a new landline number at a new address?
When you arrange your service at the new property, the provider allocates a number that fits the area code serving that address. You usually receive the new number in your order confirmation. If you have a preference, ask whether any choice of number is available, although this is not guaranteed.
Is a geographic number tied to a specific area?
Yes. UK geographic numbers are allocated within Ofcom's National Telephone Numbering Plan according to the area code, which historically maps to a telephone exchange. That is why a number can be kept within the same area but generally changes when you move to a different numbering area on a traditional line.
