United Kingdom +44
To call United Kingdom from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 44, then the local number without its leading 0. In full: +44 7400 123456.
The country calling code for United Kingdom is +44. A number starting +44 or 0044 is a call to or from United Kingdom. From abroad: +44 7400 123456.
To call United Kingdom from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 44, then the local number without its leading 0. The +44 code identifies the country; the following digits identify the line (landline or mobile).
How to call United Kingdom from abroad
011 44 7400 12345600 44 7400 1234560011 44 7400 123456+44 7400 1234567400 123456 is a real-format United Kingdom mobile number (example from the ITU-T numbering plan): replace it with the number you were given, without its leading 0.
United Kingdom area codes
When calling a landline in United Kingdom, dial the city area code after +44 (without its leading 0):
| City | Area code | Full dial |
|---|---|---|
| London | 20 | +44 20 … |
| Birmingham | 121 | +44 121 … |
| Manchester | 161 | +44 161 … |
| Glasgow | 141 | +44 141 … |
| Liverpool | 151 | +44 151 … |
| Leeds | 113 | +44 113 … |
Number format
0121 234 5678from abroad+44 121 234 567807400 123456from abroad+44 7400 123456Landline numbers in United Kingdom have 9 or 10 digits after the country code; mobile numbers have 10 digits and start with 7. The national prefix 0 is only dialled inside the country — drop it after +44.
Calling abroad from United Kingdom
To call another country from United Kingdom, dial the exit code 00 (or + on a mobile), then the country code, then the number. From United Kingdom to the United States, for example: 00 1 201 555 0123.
A United Kingdom number in international format is written +44 …. 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 United Kingdom
With internet on both ends, apps like WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call United Kingdom 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 +44?
United Kingdom has the country calling code +44.
How do I call United Kingdom from the United States?
Dial 011, then 44, then the local number without its leading 0 — for example 011 7400 123456.
What does +44 mean?
It is the international dialing code for United Kingdom. The + stands for your exit code (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America).
Is +44 mobile or landline?
The +44 code identifies the country, not the line type; United Kingdom landlines and mobiles share it.
A country code covers a whole nation; the full number depends on the city and operator.
Mobile networks in United Kingdom
4 mobile network operators run their own networks in United Kingdom. The largest is Vodafone, with about 27.9 million subscribers. Pick the one with the best coverage where you will spend most of your time.
Owned by VodafoneThree(Vodafone Group plc)
Owned by VodafoneThree(Vodafone Group plc)
Owned by Virgin Media O2(Telefónica (50%), Liberty Global (50%))
Owned by BT Group
- 3G has been switched off on Vodafone, Three, O2, EE. A phone that only works on 3G will get no data there and may not be able to call: check that yours supports 4G with voice (VoLTE) before you go.
- 4G/5G frequency bands used in United Kingdom: 5G 1800, 5G 2100, 5G 2600, 5G 3500, 5G 700, 5G 900, LTE 1500, LTE 1800, LTE 2100, LTE 2600, LTE 800, LTE 900. Most recent smartphones cover them; older or regional models may miss some.
- Moving there? Mobile number portability has existed since 2003-07-25, a transfer takes about 1 day(s) and costs free.
Also available: virtual operators (MVNOs) that rent capacity on these networks — Vectone Mobile, BT OnePhone, Talk Talk, Greenfone, Truphone, Lycamobile, Teleena, spusu, Tango Extend, iD Mobile.
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 United Kingdom
What visitors and new residents need to know before buying a local SIM or eSIM in United Kingdom, with a source for each point.
Buying a SIM as a visitor
No legal requirement: pay-as-you-go SIMs are sold unregistered and no ID is needed to buy or activate one; the UK has decided against mandating prepaid SIM registration.
Source: gsma.com
Where to buy it
Airports (WHSmith in baggage reclaim, SIM desks, SIM vending machines, at a premium), network stores (EE, O2, Three), supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury's), Boots and corner shops; travel eSIMs online.
Source: londontravelgeek.co.uk
Getting a monthly contract as a resident
Pay-monthly contracts are usually subject to a credit check; having no bank account or card, or an address that cannot be verified (e.g. not on the electoral roll), can lead to rejection.
Source: equifax.co.uk
Scam calls and texts
Forward scam texts to 7726 (free). Report fraud to Report Fraud (reportfraud.police.uk, 0300 123 2040), which replaced Action Fraud on 4 December 2025 (Scotland: Police Scotland 101). Opt out of telesales calls via the Telephone Preference Service (TPS, 0345 070 0707).
Source: ofcom.org.uk
Emergency numbers
999 or 112 (police, ambulance, fire, coastguard); 101 non-emergency police; 111 NHS non-emergency medical advice.
Source: gov.uk
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.
Mobile plans in United Kingdom: prices on 28 September 2026
Offers taken from the operators' own websites. Prices change often and promotions end: open the offer before you buy.
For visitors
- 40 GB data · 30 days
- data only
- Needs: eSIM-compatible phone
- Buy: Online at travel.vodafone.com or Travel eSIM app
Promotional price or bonus data when we checked: it may have ended.
See the offer on the operator's site- Unlimited data · 30 days
- data only (no SMS; data-based calling/messaging apps work)
- Needs: eSIM-compatible unlocked phone; No UK address needed
- Buy: Online at ee.co.uk; 90 days to start using after purchase
For residents
- 20 GB data · 30 days
- 500 minutes and unlimited texts
- Needs: No contracts, no credit checks
- Buy: ee.co.uk online
- 30 GB data · 30 days
- unlimited UK minutes & texts + 100 international minutes
- Needs: No contracts, no credit checks
- Buy: lebara.co.uk online
- 20 GB data · 30 days
- unlimited calls & texts (UK) + unlimited social media data on 7 apps
- Needs: Card payment; new customers must buy a min. £10 SIM plan
- Buy: voxi.co.uk online (SIM or eSIM)
- 30 GB data
- unlimited minutes & texts
- Needs: Credit check required
- Buy: vodafone.co.uk online or in store
Prices as displayed on each operator's website on 28 September 2026. We are not paid by the operators listed.
Staying connected in United Kingdom
With 122 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, almost everyone in United Kingdom has a mobile — a WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call is usually the easiest way in. Internet use is high (96 %), so app-to-app calls over Wi-Fi are a safe bet.
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 United Kingdom
+44 800 123 4567Free from inside United Kingdom (numbers starting with 800 / 808). From abroad these numbers are often unreachable or charged at the international rate.
+44 901 234 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 United Kingdom via Google libphonenumber.
Ireland +353