South Africa +27
To call South Africa from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 27, then the local number without its leading 0. In full: +27 71 123 4567.
The country calling code for South Africa is +27. A number starting +27 or 0027 is a call to or from South Africa. From abroad: +27 71 123 4567.
To call South Africa from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 27, then the local number without its leading 0. The +27 code identifies the country; the following digits identify the line (landline or mobile).
How to call South Africa from abroad
011 27 71 123 456700 27 71 123 45670011 27 71 123 4567+27 71 123 456771 123 4567 is a real-format South Africa mobile number (example from the ITU-T numbering plan): replace it with the number you were given, without its leading 0.
South Africa area codes
When calling a landline in South Africa, dial the city area code after +27 (without its leading 0):
| City | Area code | Full dial |
|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg | 11 | +27 11 … |
| Cape Town | 21 | +27 21 … |
| Durban | 31 | +27 31 … |
| Pretoria | 12 | +27 12 … |
Number format
010 123 4567from abroad+27 10 123 4567071 123 4567from abroad+27 71 123 4567Landline numbers in South Africa have 9 digits after the country code; mobile numbers have 5 to 9 digits. The national prefix 0 is only dialled inside the country — drop it after +27.
Calling abroad from South Africa
To call another country from South Africa, dial the exit code 00 (or + on a mobile), then the country code, then the number. From South Africa to the United States, for example: 00 1 201 555 0123.
A South Africa number in international format is written +27 …. The + stands for the exit prefix (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America). Switching to international format, drop the leading 0.
Cheapest ways to call South Africa
With internet on both ends, apps like WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call South Africa for free. To reach a number without an app, VoIP services are usually cheaper than your operator’s international rate.
Frequently asked questions
What country has the code +27?
South Africa has the country calling code +27.
How do I call South Africa from the United States?
Dial 011, then 27, then the local number without its leading 0 — for example 011 71 123 4567.
What does +27 mean?
It is the international dialing code for South Africa. The + stands for your exit code (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America).
Is +27 mobile or landline?
The +27 code identifies the country, not the line type; South Africa landlines and mobiles share it.
A country code covers a whole nation; the full number depends on the city and operator.
Mobile networks in South Africa
5 mobile network operators run their own networks in South Africa. The largest is Vodacom, with about 48.7 million subscribers (July 2026). Pick the one with the best coverage where you will spend most of your time.
Owned by Vodacom (65.1%)
Owned by MTN Group
Owned by Oger Telecom in process of diluting it's 70% stake to 27% Blue Label Telecoms is planning to acquire a 30% stake in Cell C
Owned by Telkom
Owned by Rain (formerly Wireless Business Solutions) 80% ARC 20%
- Planned switch-offs: MTN (3G, 2026-12-31).
- 4G/5G frequency bands used in South Africa: 5G 1800, 5G 2100, 5G 28000, 5G 3500, 5G 700, LTE 1800, LTE 2100, LTE 5200, LTE 5800, LTE 900. Most recent smartphones cover them; older or regional models may miss some.
- Moving there? Mobile number portability has existed since 2006-11-10.
Also available: virtual operators (MVNOs) that rent capacity on these networks — SMS Cellular Services (Pty) Ltd.
Operators, subscriber counts, network codes and switch-off dates: Wikipedia (lists of mobile network operators, mobile network codes, 2G/3G phase-out, mobile number portability), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Figures come from each operator or regulator at the date shown.
Getting a SIM card in South Africa
What visitors and new residents need to know before buying a local SIM or eSIM in South Africa, with a source for each point.
Buying a SIM as a visitor
Yes. Under RICA every SIM (prepaid, contract, physical or eSIM) must be registered. South Africans use an SA ID (green ID book or smart ID card) and foreign nationals a valid passport; proof of address may be required depending on the type of registration. Vodacom offers online self-RICA. No SIM-count limit or IMEI registration of foreign phones found.
Source: vodacom.co.za
Where to buy it
SIMs are sold and RICA-registered at operator shops and authorised dealers; Vodacom also offers online self-RICA. Existing Vodacom prepaid and contract customers can get an eSIM through the VodaPay app for a one-time fee of R25.
Source: vodacom.co.za · vodacom.co.za
Getting a monthly contract as a resident
A Vodacom contract requires an ID or passport, proof of residence, the last 3 months of bank-stamped bank statements and the last 3 months of payslips, plus a credit check.
Source: vodacom.co.za
Scam calls and texts
Scams and hoaxes on the Vodacom network are reported through Vodacom's online form (help.vodacom.co.za/scamreport) or its TOBi chat and WhatsApp line (+27 82 009 8624); Vodacom also refers victims to SAPS, SAFPS and SABRIC. No national do-not-call registry verified.
Source: vodacom.co.za
Emergency numbers
112 for all emergencies from mobiles; 10111 police; 10177 ambulance and fire.
Source: gov.uk
WhatsApp and calling apps
None known. Freedom House (Freedom on the Net 2025: Free, 73/100) lists 'social media blocked: No' and 'websites blocked: No'.
Source: freedomhouse.org
Checked on 28 September 2026 against the sources linked on each card (regulators, government portals and operators first). SIM and ID rules change often: confirm with the operator before you travel.
Staying connected in South Africa
With 179 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, almost everyone in South Africa has a mobile — a WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call is usually the easiest way in. Only 78 % of people use the internet, so a plain phone call may reach more people than an app.
Source: World Bank / ITU World Telecommunication indicators (IT.CEL.SETS.P2, IT.NET.USER.ZS, IT.MLT.MAIN.P2), latest available year.
Free and premium numbers in South Africa
+27 80 123 4567Free from inside South Africa (numbers starting with 80). From abroad these numbers are often unreachable or charged at the international rate.
+27 86 234 5678Surcharged services. Do not call back an unknown missed call from such a range: the cost is far above a normal call.
Number ranges: ITU-T national numbering plan for South Africa via Google libphonenumber.
Zimbabwe +263
Swaziland +268
Mozambique +258
Botswana +267
Namibia +264
Lesotho +266