Number portability in Luxembourg 2026: keep your number when switching operator
Want to switch mobile operators in Luxembourg while keeping your phone number? Good news: number portability is a right guaranteed by Luxembourg law, it is entirely free and takes a maximum of 1 business day once the request has been submitted. In the Grand Duchy, the process is simple and your new operator handles most of the steps: you do not have to cancel your old subscription yourself. This guide explains the procedure step by step, official timelines, special cases and precautions to take — based on information verified with the ILR and operators in June 2026.
Compare mobile plans before switching operator
Before porting your number, compare offers from POST, Orange, Tango, LOL Mobile and Eltrona on our comparison tool updated in June 2026.
Compare plans →What is number portability?
Number portability is the right of any subscriber to keep their phone number when switching to a different electronic communications operator. This right applies in Luxembourg to both mobile numbers (starting with 6) and fixed-line numbers.
Concretely, if you are with POST and want to switch to Orange, you keep your current number — your contacts don’t need to change anything. As the entire territory of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is considered a single numbering zone, no geographic limitations apply to number use.
| Key point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cost for the subscriber | Free — no direct portability fee |
| Porting time | Maximum 1 business day (on the agreed date) |
| Min. delay order → porting date | 5 business days (e.g. Orange) to 1-60 calendar days (Tango) |
| After cancellation | Right to port for 1 month after cancellation date |
| Applies to prepaid | Yes — both prepaid and postpaid |
| Cancellation of old contract | Automatic — porting request counts as cancellation |
Source: ILR — Number portability · myILR — Consumer rights
Number portability is an absolute right in Luxembourg: no operator can refuse it for a valid porting request. If you have doubts about your procedure or want to report a problem, the ILR provides a free mediation service at myilr.lu.
Your rights: free and guaranteed portability in Luxembourg
Number portability in Luxembourg is governed by the Law of 17 December 2021 on electronic communications networks and services and ILR regulations. Your rights are clear and non-negotiable:
According to ILR regulations, no direct fees related to providing portability can be charged to you. The porting itself is free at all Luxembourg operators.
The portability obligation is absolute and applies to all notified electronic communications companies in Luxembourg. No operator can refuse a valid porting request.
The right to port also applies to prepaid service users, not just postpaid subscribers.
If you have cancelled your contract, you retain the right to port your number for a minimum period of one month after the cancellation date (unless you explicitly waive this).
If porting fails, your old operator must immediately reactivate your number and services. Maximum service loss during the porting procedure: one business day.
Important: the porting request counts as cancellation. Under Luxembourg regulations, a formal porting request validated by the new operator automatically counts as a cancellation request with your old operator. You do not need to take a separate cancellation step — but you remain bound by your contractual commitments (see the section on commitment).
How to port your number in Luxembourg: the 5-step procedure
In Luxembourg, the portability procedure is designed to be simple and entirely managed by your new operator. Unlike some countries where subscribers must obtain a transfer code from their old operator, the Luxembourg procedure is based on a direct request to the new operator (receiving operator) who handles everything.
Compare available offers on our comparison tool and choose the plan that suits you. Make sure the offer meets your needs (data, roaming, commitment…) before committing.
When subscribing (online, in shop or by phone), indicate that you want to keep your current number. Provide: your number to port, your ICCID number (on your SIM card, visible in your phone settings), and your details exactly matching those on your current contract.
You can generally choose when you want the port to occur (within a window of about 1 to 60 days depending on the operator). A minimum delay between order date and porting date applies (5 business days at Orange, for example).
This is the golden rule: do not cancel your current subscription yourself. Your new operator handles everything. Keep your old SIM card in your phone until porting day to remain reachable.
On the agreed date, your number switches to the new network. Insert your new SIM (or activate your eSIM) — your number now works on the new network. Your old line is automatically cancelled.
At Orange Luxembourg for example, you receive your new SIM within 2 business days of ordering. While waiting for the porting date, you can use your new Orange line with a temporary number automatically assigned. On porting day, your definitive number is activated on your new SIM.
Portability procedure at each Luxembourg operator
The portability procedure is essentially the same at all Luxembourg operators — your new operator handles the request. Here are each one’s specifics.
| Operator | Free portability | Available channels | Min. delay before porting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange | ✓ Yes | Online, shop, phone | 5 business days |
| POST | ✓ Yes | Espace POST, phone (8002 8004) | Per agreed date |
| Tango | ✓ Yes | Shop, online | 1 to 60 days (your choice) |
| LOL Mobile | ✓ Yes | Online (internet.lu), shop | Per agreed date |
| Eltrona | ✓ Yes | Online (eltrona.lu), phone | Per agreed date |
Sources: Orange Luxembourg — Keep your number · LOL Mobile · Eltrona
Common condition at all operators: the information you provide when requesting portability (name, address, ICCID number) must match exactly the data on your current contract. An information mismatch is the most common reason for porting refusal. Check this information on your latest invoice or in your customer account before submitting the request.
Portability timelines in Luxembourg
ILR regulations set clear and consumer-protective timelines. Two distinct concepts must be distinguished: the delay between your order and the porting date, and the technical porting time itself.
According to the ILR, the maximum time to port a number is one (1) business day from the agreed date. In practice for a standard mobile SIM, the switchover takes a few hours on that day.
A minimum delay applies between your order and the actual porting date. At Orange Luxembourg: minimum 5 business days. At Tango: you choose between 1 and 60 calendar days after your request.
The interruption is limited to the technical switchover time (a few hours maximum). ILR regulations specify that service loss does not exceed one business day. If porting fails, your old operator immediately reactivates your number.
If you have cancelled your contract, you retain the right to port your number for a minimum of one month after the cancellation date (unless you explicitly waive this).
If you already know you want to switch operator, the best approach is to subscribe directly with your new operator while requesting portability — without cancelling first. You will benefit from full service continuity until the actual porting.
Portability and contract commitment: what you need to know
Number portability and contract cancellation are two distinct things. You can request portability at any time — even if you are still in a commitment period. But portability does not automatically free you from your financial contractual obligations.
| Plan type | Early exit fees | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| No-contract | No fees | Orange Access+/Boom/BeUnlimited, Tango GO Mobile, LOL Mobile, Eltrona |
| 24-month commitment (with mobile) | Remaining monthly fees | Any operator with simultaneous smartphone purchase |
| 12-month commitment | Remaining monthly fees | POST POP Mobile (certain plans) |
Check your conditions in your customer account or on your latest invoice before requesting the port.
Calculate your exit cost before porting. If you are in a committed contract, your old operator can charge the remaining months. Check the exact early termination conditions in your general terms or by contacting your current operator before submitting a porting request. This billing is separate from portability itself, which is free.
The golden rule: never cancel yourself before porting
This is the mistake to absolutely avoid when switching operators while keeping your number: never cancel your own contract before the port is completed.
If you cancel your contract before porting is finalised, you risk permanently losing your number. A cancelled number without an active porting request can be reassigned to another subscriber after the quarantine period. Orange Luxembourg explicitly states: « To port your number, you must absolutely not cancel your line with your old operator as this would result in loss of the number. »
The correct procedure ✓
- Subscribe with the new operator
- Request portability at subscription
- Keep old SIM in phone until porting day
- Automatic cancellation on porting day
- Full service continuity throughout
What you must never do
- Cancel yourself before porting
- Throw away or deactivate the old SIM before porting
- Wait several weeks after cancelling without launching the port
- Submit information that differs from your current contract details
The correct Luxembourg procedure: 1. You subscribe with the new operator and request portability. 2. The new operator sends a formal request to your old operator via the CRDB. 3. The porting request automatically counts as a cancellation request. 4. On the agreed date, the port is carried out and your line is automatically cancelled at the old operator. Throughout this period, your old operator continues providing service under the same conditions.
Portability and eSIM: what changes
Portability also works with an eSIM (virtual SIM card). The underlying procedure is identical — your number stays the same — but the technical process differs slightly.
For installing the eSIM profile, a Wi-Fi connection is mandatory. Plan accordingly — install the profile in advance (pending activation), then activate it on porting day for minimal service interruption.
If you are porting your number from an eSIM, your current ICCID (eSIM profile identifier) will be requested when subscribing. Available in your phone settings (iOS: Settings > General > About; Android: Settings > About phone).
Check your smartphone is eSIM compatible before subscribing to an eSIM offer. iPhone XS or later, Samsung Galaxy S20 or later, Google Pixel 3 or later. Dial *#06# to check: if an EID number appears, your phone is compatible.
For porting to an eSIM, the recommended method is to install the eSIM profile in advance (ideally the day before), then activate it on porting day. For more details on eSIM in Luxembourg, see our eSIM Luxembourg guide.
What to do if there is a problem during portability?
In the vast majority of cases, portability in Luxembourg goes smoothly. However, problems can arise in a few situations.
According to ILR regulations, a port can only be refused if: the number was not assigned to the end user at the giving operator · the information provided does not match current contract data · a porting request for this number is already being processed · the number has been cancelled for more than one month.
Contact your new operator first — they are responsible for the port. Request a follow-up with your case number and request date. If the port is not completed after the agreed deadline, your old operator must maintain service until resolution.
1. Contact your old operator’s customer service in writing (email or registered letter). 2. Contact the ILR via myilr.lu to report the problem. 3. Use the ILR’s free mediation service.
The most common reason for porting refusal is an information mismatch between what you submitted and the data in your old operator’s contract. Before submitting, carefully check your full name, address and ICCID number on your latest invoice or in your customer account.
Compare mobile plans before switching operator
Free portability at all Luxembourg operators. Compare POST, Orange, Tango, LOL Mobile and Eltrona to find the best plan in 2026.
Compare plans →Frequently asked questions about number portability in Luxembourg
Is number portability really free in Luxembourg?
Yes. According to ILR regulations, no direct fees related to providing number portability can be charged to the customer. Porting itself is free at all Luxembourg operators (POST, Orange, Tango, LOL Mobile, Eltrona). Only potential early termination fees related to your existing commitment contract may apply — but these are separate from portability itself.
How long does number portability take in Luxembourg?
According to ILR regulations, the maximum time to port a mobile number is one (1) business day from the agreed date. In practice, the switchover takes a few hours. This technical time must be distinguished from the delay between your order and the porting date (at least 5 business days at Orange, for example, depending on your chosen date).
Do I have to cancel my contract with my old operator before requesting portability?
No — and it’s strongly advised not to. If you cancel your contract before porting is completed, you risk permanently losing your number. The correct procedure is to subscribe directly with your new operator while requesting portability. The porting request automatically counts as a cancellation request with your old operator. You don’t need to do anything separately.
Can I port my number even if I’m still in a commitment period?
Yes. Portability is an absolute right and cannot be refused because you are still in a commitment period. However, your old operator can charge the remaining monthly fees under the terms of your contract. Check your early termination conditions in your contract or by contacting your current operator before deciding.
Does portability also work from a prepaid plan in Luxembourg?
Yes. The right to port mobile numbers also applies to prepaid service users, according to ILR regulations. Whether you have a postpaid subscription or a prepaid card (POST TipTop, Tango Prepaid, Orange Hello…), you can port your number to another operator.
What happens if my porting fails?
If the porting procedure fails, your old operator is required to immediately reactivate your number and related services. You will not be left without service. Contact your new operator to restart the procedure. If the blockage is unjustified, you can contact the ILR via myilr.lu, which provides a free mediation service.
Do my contacts need to do anything when I change operator?
No. Since your number stays the same, your contacts continue to call and send messages to the same number without changing anything on their end. The operator change is completely transparent to anyone contacting you. However, check that certain sensitive services (banking apps, two-factor authentication) still recognise your number after porting.
Can I port a foreign number to a Luxembourg operator?
Not directly. Portability in Luxembourg applies to Luxembourg numbers between Luxembourg operators. If you have a foreign number (French, Belgian…) and want a Luxembourg number, you must subscribe to a new plan with a new +352 number, or use Orange Hello eSIM which directly assigns you a new Luxembourg number. More details in our guide to getting a Luxembourg number.