United Kingdom +44
To call United Kingdom from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 44, then the local number without its leading 0. Written 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 network codes in United Kingdom
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. United Kingdom has 4 network operators with their own infrastructure:
| Network | MCC-MNC | Technologies | Subscribers |
|---|---|---|---|
| VodafoneVodafoneThree(Vodafone Group plc) | 234-15 | 2G · 4G · 5G | 27.9 M |
| ThreeVodafoneThree(Vodafone Group plc) | 234-20 | 4G · 5G | 27.9 M |
| O2Virgin Media O2(Telefónica (50%), Liberty Global (50%)) | 234-02, 234-10, 234-11 | 2G · 4G · 5G | 22.0 MQ1 2026 |
| EEBT Group | 234-30, 234-33, 234-34 | 2G · 4G · 5G | 21.2 MQ3 2025 |
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
- EE — 3G (UMTS) switched off
- Vodafone — 3G (UMTS) switched off
- Three — 3G (UMTS) switched off
- O2 — 3G (UMTS) switched off
- All networks — 2G (GSM) planned switch-off
Keeping a number when changing network
- Mobile number portability
- since 2003-07-25
- Porting time
- 1 day(s)
- Cost to the customer
- Free
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 United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom
The rules a caller, a visitor or a new resident runs into in United Kingdom, each with its source.
| ID to buy a SIM | 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.gsma.com |
|---|---|
| Monthly contract | 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.equifax.co.uk |
| Reporting scam calls | 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).ofcom.org.uk |
| Emergency numbers | 999 or 112 (police, ambulance, fire, coastguard); 101 non-emergency police; 111 NHS non-emergency medical advice.gov.uk |
Checked on 28 September 2026. Rules on SIM registration and calling apps change often: confirm with the regulator or the operator.
Mobile plan prices in United Kingdom
Prepaid, tourist and SIM-only offers of the operators of United Kingdom, as priced on their own websites on 28 September 2026. The price per GB helps compare offers of different sizes.
| Operator · offer | Type | Price | Data | Per GB | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vodafone Travel eSIMUnited Kingdom 20GB + 20GB Free | Tourist eSIM | £18promo | 40 GB30 days | £0.45 | Offer |
| EETravel Data eSIM – 30 day pass | Tourist eSIM | £30 | Unlimited30 days | — | Offer |
| EEPay as you go 20GB SIM (30-day plan) | Prepaid | £10 | 20 GB30 days | £0.50 | Offer |
| Lebara30GB – 30-Day Plan | Prepaid | £10 | 30 GB30 days | £0.33 | Offer |
| VOXI£10 plan (Unlimited Social Media) | Prepaid | £10 | 20 GB30 days | £0.50 | Offer |
| VodafoneVodafone Mobile 30GB – 30-day SIM only | Monthly, SIM only | £33/month | 30 GB | £1.10 | Offer |
Checked on 28 September 2026. “promo” marks a promotional price or bonus data at that date. Prices change often: the operator's page is the reference.