South Africa +27
To call South Africa from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 27, then the local number without its leading 0. Written 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 network codes in South Africa
Every mobile network is identified by a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC). They appear on your phone when it roams, in SIM settings and in any network lookup. South Africa has 5 network operators with their own infrastructure:
| Network | MCC-MNC | Technologies | Subscribers |
|---|---|---|---|
| VodacomVodacom (65.1%) | 655-01 | 2G · 3G · 4G · 5G | 48.7 MJuly 2026 |
| MTNMTN Group | 655-10 | 2G · 3G · 4G · 5G | 29.0 MAugust 2020 |
| Cell COger Telecom in process of diluting it's 70% stake to 27% Blue Label … | 655-07 | 2G · 3G · 4G | 14.4 MMar 2020 |
| TelkomTelkom | 655-02 | 2G · 3G · 4G · 5G | 4.00 MMarch 2017 |
| RainRain (formerly Wireless Business Solutions) 80% ARC 20% | 655-19 | 4G | — |
A struck-through generation has been switched off on that network. MCC-MNC: ITU-T E.212 codes as listed on Wikipedia.
2G and 3G switch-off timeline
- MTN — 3G (UMTS) planned switch-off
Keeping a number when changing network
- Mobile number portability
- since 2006-11-10
Because numbers can be ported, the prefix of a mobile number only tells you which network first issued it, not the network it uses today.
Received a call from a South Africa number? Check it with the phone number lookup: type of line, format and local time.
Source: Wikipedia — lists of mobile network operators, mobile network codes, 2G and 3G phase-out, mobile number portability (CC BY-SA 4.0). Subscriber counts as published by each operator or regulator at the date shown.
Phone rules in South Africa
The rules a caller, a visitor or a new resident runs into in South Africa, each with its source.
| ID to buy a SIM | 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.vodacom.co.za |
|---|---|
| Monthly contract | 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.vodacom.co.za |
| Calling apps | None known. Freedom House (Freedom on the Net 2025: Free, 73/100) lists 'social media blocked: No' and 'websites blocked: No'.freedomhouse.org |
| Reporting scam calls | 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.vodacom.co.za |
| Emergency numbers | 112 for all emergencies from mobiles; 10111 police; 10177 ambulance and fire.gov.uk |
Checked on 28 September 2026. Rules on SIM registration and calling apps change often: confirm with the regulator or the operator.