How long is your Vodafone prepaid card valid for?
In short: how long is your Vodafone prepaid SIM valid?
Your Vodafone prepaid credit remains valid as long as you perform a paid action at least once every 6 months (such as calling, sending a text, using mobile data, or topping up). For Vodafone NL, this extends your validity. If there’s no activity for 6 months, your SIM may be temporarily blocked, and you’ll need to top up within 90 days to reactivate it.
If you’re using a Vodafone prepaid SIM card, it’s important to know how long your credit and SIM remain active. In this blog, I’ll explain Vodafone’s official rules, what counts as “usage”, what happens if you don’t top up, and tips to avoid losing your SIM.
Validity according to Vodafone
According to Vodafone Netherlands:
Your credit remains valid indefinitely, as long as you use it at least once every 6 months. Usage includes paid calls, texts, mobile data (not Wi-Fi), or top-ups.
In practical terms, this means:
- Every time you use the SIM (call, text, use mobile data, or top up), your validity period resets for another 6 months.
- If you don’t perform any paid activity for over 6 months, your SIM may be blocked (your credit becomes temporarily unavailable).
- During the 90-day grace period, you can usually still top up to reactivate the SIM.
- If no top-up occurs within those 90 days, the SIM may be permanently deactivated.
Note: Vodafone distinguishes between your prepaid credit and the SIM card itself. Even if your credit remains “valid”, your SIM can still be deactivated if there’s no usage.
What exactly counts as "usage"?
To keep your SIM active, you must perform at least one of the following actions every 6 months:
- Make a call (not to a free number)
- Send a text message
- Use mobile data (not via Wi-Fi)
- Top up your credit
Each of these actions resets the 6-month validity period.
What happens if you don’t use your SIM?
- After 6 months of inactivity
Your SIM will likely be blocked. You won’t be able to use your prepaid credit for calling, texting or mobile internet. - 90-day grace period
You typically have this period to top up and reactivate the SIM. - After the 90-day grace period
If no top-up is made, your SIM may be permanently deactivated, and you could lose your number. Your remaining balance is usually protected under Dutch consumer law, and you may be entitled to a refund.
Tips to keep your SIM active
- Plan a small action each quarter: make a quick call, send a text, or use some mobile data.
- Mix it up: if you don’t want to call, just top up — that counts too.
- Set a reminder on your phone or calendar: “Use Vodafone prepaid before 6 months is up.”
- Regularly check the My Vodafone app or website to see your SIM’s status and avoid deactivation.
