How to call a UK 0800 number from abroad

Can you call a UK 0800 number from abroad?

Sometimes, depending on your provider, and never for free. The Northern Ireland government's nidirect site says you may be able to call an 08 or 03 number from outside the UK, depending on the service provider in your country. It adds that calling an 080 number from outside the UK will not be free ^[1]. So expect an international call charge, and expect some 0800 lines to refuse the call.

Why isn't 0800 free from outside the UK?

Because the free-call rule is a UK rule for UK phones. Ofcom made 0800 and 0808 free from all UK mobiles and landlines ^[2] on 1 July 2015 ^[3]. Ofcom says those rules do not affect international calls or calls to the UK when roaming abroad ^[2]. A foreign carrier bills the call at its own international rate.

UK mobile networks word it the same way. BT Mobile says 0800, 0808 and 0500 numbers are always free when dialled from the UK ^[5]. A UK SIM calling home while roaming is outside Ofcom's free-call rules ^[2], so check your network's roaming terms. The old 0500 range was not part of the 2015 change, and Ofcom decided to withdraw it in 2017 ^[3].

How do you dial a UK 0800 number from the US?

Drop the first 0 and dial +44 followed by the rest of the number ^[1]. From a US landline, replace the plus sign with the US exit code 011 ^[6][7]. So 0800 555 0142 becomes 011 44 800 555 0142, or +44 800 555 0142 on a mobile. If you keep the 0, the call will not route.

From Ireland the exit code is 00 ^[6], so the same number is 00 44 800 555 0142.

Does the organisation have a number for callers abroad?

Many do, and it is the safer route. nidirect notes that alternative numbers for calls from outside the UK may be available for certain services ^[1]. HMRC is a clear example: its Income Tax line is 0300 200 3300 inside the UK and +44 135 535 9022 from outside the UK ^[4]. A regular +44 number like this is published for callers abroad.

Look for words like "from outside the UK", "overseas" or "international" on the organisation's contact page. Banks, airlines and government services often print one.

How much does a call to the UK cost from the US?

To a UK landline, apps charge US$0.01 to US$0.06 a minute. To 0800 numbers the picture is mixed. Google Voice lists a UK toll-free rate of US$0.01 a minute ^[8]. Rebtel charges US$0.59 a minute for UK special and toll-free numbers ^[9]. That is about 25 times its landline rate. A listed rate does not mean the 0800 line accepts you.

Rebtel's figures are shown with 21% Spanish VAT. TwinPhone costs more than Google Voice to UK landlines, but it needs no app and no US number, and it bills only answered calls ^[12]. Its help pages cover US and Canadian toll-free only, so UK 0800 numbers are not promised ^[11]. For a regular +44 number, see TwinPhone's rates to UK landlines.

What should you do when the 0800 number won't connect?

Go down the list. Check the dial string: +44, then the number without its 0. Then find the organisation's number for callers outside the UK. Then try chat, email or a callback. Last, ask someone in the UK to call the 0800 line, where it is free from mobiles and landlines ^[3]. A recorded message or fast busy signal usually means the line refuses foreign calls.

1. Re-dial as +44 800… with no 0 after 44 ^[1].
2. Search the contact page for an overseas number, as HMRC publishes ^[4].
3. Use the organisation's app, chat or callback form.
4. Ask a contact in the UK to call the 0800 number for you.

The full ranking of ways to reach a company's regular number is on the India reverse guide. For numbers built to work across borders, see international toll-free numbers. US callers start on the home page.