Calling 0800 Numbers From Spain On Uk Mobile Number?

Calling 0800 Numbers From Spain On Uk Mobile Number
How to Call 0800 Numbers from Europe – 0800 numbers are typically used to contact local businesses or organisations within the UK. But calling an 0800 number from abroad is also possible. Individuals who are based in other European countries may call an 0800 number if the business or organisation is paying premiums for international accessibility to their number. People outside of the UK but within the EU might feel confused whether they will be charged for calling an 0800 number.

  • Most telecommunication providers inform the caller of international rates before connecting the line;
  • The actual call is relatively simple;
  • The UK’s country code is +44 so callers from Europe can simply dial +44 0800 or +44800 followed by the final digits of the UK-based business or organisation to call an 0800 number;

On another note, potential customers who are set on contacting the UK-based business or organisation may call the 0800 number via Skype or a similar platform. This doesn’t incur additional charges on either end, but it does add an extra step that would discourage many people.

How do I call an 0800 number from Spain to UK?

When you have to call a company to pay your bills, book a ticket or sort out a problem, your heart can sink when you see an expensive 0845 number. Lots of companies use 0800 numbers for their customer services, but you don’t have to be caught out by high call charges.

Numbers starting 08 usually mean you’re going to be paying through the nose for every minute that goes by, and you’ll probably be on hold, listening to awful music for ages before you even get through to anyone.

However, there’s a big difference in what it could cost you to call numbers starting with 08, so use these tips to avoid surprise bills, even on mobile. Calls to numbers beginning 0800 and 0808 are free from all landlines and mobiles. Yep, free! However, numbers such as 0844, 0845, 0870 and 0871 are more costly to ring, whether you’re calling from a landline or mobile.

  • Numbers starting with 09 are typically the most expensive;
  • You can say no to expensive 08 numbers in two ways: Use the alternative number that many companies advertise for customers calling them from abroad;

This number will usually begin +44 1 or +44 2 and is charged like a normal landline. If this doesn’t work the first time around, try dialling 141 first to hide your own location and see if you can get through. Use the 03 number that many organisations offer instead of costly 08 numbers.

Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than calls to geographic numbers starting 01 or 02, and they’ll be included in your mobile or landline phone minutes package just like calls to landlines. Search for these alternative numbers on websites like  SayNoTo0870.

com Freephone numbers starting with 0800 or 0808 are free to call from mobile phones as well as landlines. The cost of calling other 0800 numbers such as 0844, 0845, 0870 and 0871 will vary depending on the access charge per minute that your phone company charges, and the service charge per minute that the company you’re calling charges.

  1. You can find a list of service charges for a range of numbers on GOV;
  2. UK (Opens in a new window) The same rules apply on mobiles and landlines for calling numbers beginning with 08;
  3. Numbers beginning 0800 or 0808 are free to call, but any other number starting with 08 will be more expensive;

You can call freephone numbers starting 0800 or 0808 from your mobile for free. Other numbers will be expensive, so check the terms and conditions on your contract to see which numbers are covered by free minutes, or how much they cost per minute. Also have a look at the per minute service charge that the company you’re calling charges.

  • Ofcom has a list of charges (Opens in a new window) but it’s best to check these directly with your provider too;
  • Yes;
  • For 0800 or 0808 numbers it doesn’t matter whether you’re a pay as you go or contract mobile customer, the calls are free;

For other numbers such as 0845, 0870 and so on, you’ll need to read the fine print on your terms and conditions to find out the price per call. Part of the cost is set by your mobile company, and part of it is set by the company you’re ringing, so cost will vary.

Currently on Three, pay as you go calls to numbers starting 0800 and 0808 are free and calls to numbers starting 084, 087, 09 and 118 are split into two elements: an access charge which Three set at 55p per minute – that’s every minute, not just the first one – and a service charge which is set by the company you’re calling, so that will vary.

For example, if you call a number starting 084, 087, 09 or 118 and your call lasts for one minute and 30 seconds, you’ll pay £1. 10 for two minutes worth of access charges plus the cost of the service charge. Currently for Sky mobile users on a contract, calls to numbers starting 0800, 0808 or 116 are free.

For customers on pay as you go or contracts, calls to numbers starting 055 or 056 are either 7. 62p or 16p per minute (find out more for the distinction ) Calls to numbers starting 084, 087, 09 and 118 have a 15p per minute access charge, plus the service charge set by the company you’re calling.

Calls to 0800, 0808 and 116 numbers are free from an EE mobile or landline. Like other companies the cost of calls to other numbers beginning 08 on EE will include an access charge and a service charge. The charges will vary depending on what type of pay as you go or monthly contract you have.

  1. Per minute access charge, including VAT, starts at 11p per minute;
  2. Service charges start from zero but can go pretty high pretty quickly, so it’s always advisable to check your Ts and Cs and look at the website of the company you want to ring to see what their service charge per minute is;

The free calls you get with a BT landline don’t include calls to numbers beginning 0844 or 0871. Other numbers not included in your free calls are calls to mobiles, premium rate numbers, international numbers or calls to the Channel Islands, indirect access numbers, operators and directory enquiries.

Some calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers might be free from your BT landline, depending on which calling plan you’re on, so check the terms and conditions. Your plan will not include dial-up internet calls to internet service providers, calls to dial-through or calling card access numbers.

See here for the  latest BT call costs You can’t send text messages to numbers starting 03, 08 or 09 unless the organisation that you are trying to contact specifically says that they can receive text messages sent this way. If you’re trying to text a company with an 0800 number, check their ‘contact us’ page that will tell you if they accept texts.

Are 0800 numbers free from Spain?

Yes 0800 numbers are free, as Spain is part of the EU and all calls made are the same as I you were in the UK, but you must make sure that roaming is enabled in your account and that international calls are enabled.

Can you call UK 0800 numbers from overseas?

How to call an 0800 number from abroad? – It’s misleading to suggest that 0800 numbers can’t be called from outside the UK. The method for calling an 0800 number from abroad is the same as calling any other UK number. Just drop the leading “0” and add either +44 or 0044.

For example, to call Numbergroup’s 0800 number from outside the UK, you should dial either “+44800 3101010” or “0044800 3101010”, depending on your phone’s call settings. However, it is important to note that when calling an 0800 number from abroad (whether it’s from a landline or mobile phone), the call is no longer free.

Depending on the telecom provider and location, you’ll be charged a pence per minute rate. You’ll need to contact your mobile or landline operator to get their call rates.

How do I call an 0800 number from overseas?

Calling 0800 Numbers from the US and Canada – In the US and Canada, calling 0800 numbers presents a similar scenario. Although the 0800 number is not linked to a geographical area (in that it doesn’t relate to a specific region within the UK), it is tied to the United Kingdom itself, as it’s widely used by government organisations and national businesses.

In turn, this also means that calling from outside of Europe — within the US or Canada — is likely to cost the caller, despite its freephone status. The only major difference is how to reach an 0800 number — instead of dialling the +44 extension as you would in Europe, this is how to get connected in the US and beyond: Dial 011 44 800 — followed by the final digits of the 0800 number you are trying to call.

See also:  Deutsche Bank Spain Non Resident Account?

It’s also worth noting that if your international business deals directly with American or Canadian clients, their recognition of 0800 numbers as freephone numbers will be weaker than that of European clients. These nations have their own versions of freephone numbers — rebranded as toll-free numbers — which have 877, 866, 855, 844 and 833 dial codes.

These hold precedent as they can be reached at no cost from as far as the Caribbean. In this sense, if you are clutching at the 0800 prefix to gain trust from your customers, this won’t ring true in the US.

Their loyalty lies, so to speak, with their own toll-free numbers, which are prominent across the continent.

How do I call 0800 numbers from my mobile?

Call 0800 and 0808 Numbers From Your Mobile Just dial 0333 555 8800, enter the full free-phone number you want to call at the prompt, then press # —it’s that simple!.

Is a 0800 number free on a mobile?

Are 0800 numbers free you ask, yes, these are now totally free to dial from a landline or mobile, however, mobile operators did issue a service charge to mobile users who call 0800 and 0808 numbers right up until July 2015. Thankfully, these are now free to call from almost any device.

How much do 0800 numbers cost on EE?

How much does it cost to call 0800 and 0808 numbers? – Calls to 0800, 0808 and 116 numbers are free from your EE mobile and landline.

Are 0800 numbers free on Vodafone?

Telephone numbers with the 0808 prefix or 0800 are known as Freephone numbers and do not attract any fee on the Vodafone network. While initially such free services applied only to BT landlines as calls from mobiles and other networks continued to attract a fee, since July 1st 2015, Ofcom , the telecommunications regulator, ruled this tariff-free service should also be offered by all mobile a080nd landline operators, such as Vodafone.

  1. This free service now applies to every one of the UK’s 175 million phone numbers telephone, whether they are landline or mobile, not just those made from hansdset on the Vodafone network;
  2. The changes introduced under the “UK Calling” programme in July 2015 were designed to simplify fees for all customers;

Before this callers were familiar with hearing messages such as, “Calls cost xp per minute from a BT landline. Calls may vary from other landlines and calls from mobiles may cost considerably more. ” After the change, this message was simplified to, “Calls cost xp per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge. ”

Number starts with Description Cost from landlines per minute (approximate) Cost from mobiles per minute (approximate)
0808 number Freephone service Free Free

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Are 0333 numbers included in three minutes?

Buy 0333 Numbers Three Mobile are one of the UK’s top mobile networks, over the years they have improved their networking system to retain customers for longer and it has proved worthwhile. A contract with Three Mobile means lots of inclusivity, whether that is data, texts or minutes, Three Mobile prides itself on being the all-inclusive network, ensuring that customers get more for their buck.

  • When you take out a contract with Three, the majority of their contract plans include inclusive minutes, meaning that you are able to use your minutes to call UK landline and mobiles, including numbers beginning with 01, 02, 03;

For customers on a Pay-As-You-Go plan, calls to 0333 numbers cost three pence per minute, it is one of the lowest charges from a mobile network company and provides great competition in the market. The three pence charged is also included if calls are made outside of a typical contract allowance with Three.

Number starts with Description Cost from landlines per minute (approximate) Cost from mobiles per minute (approximate)
0333 UK-wide numbers up to 9p 3p to 55p

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Do I get charged for 0800 numbers?

0800, 0870, 090, 020. there are so many different phone numbers that keeping tabs on how much they cost to call can be confusing. So what do they all mean? While many calls are captured within the inclusive minutes, that come as part of your contract – and therefore come at no extra cost – some fall outside bundle packages and are charged on a ‘per minute’ or ‘per call’ basis.

You can find out typical minimum and maximum charges for UK domestic calls below. The prices on this page are indicative only and should not be used as a definitive list of call charges. Actual costs depend on your communication provider and a number of factors such as individual calling plans, time of day and the exact number called.

You should check with your provider before you dial. 01 and 02 numbers: geographic numbers These numbers relate to specific locations in the UK and are used for homes and businesses. For example, Belfast is 028, Cardiff is 029, Edinburgh is 0131 and London is 020.

These geographic numbers are sometimes referred to as ‘basic rate’, ‘local rate’ or ‘national rate’. Calls from landlines are typically charged up to 16p per minute. Many providers charge a 23p call set-up fee (or ‘connection charge’), but this can vary.

Call charges are dependent on the time of day, and most providers offer call packages that allow calls free of charge at certain times of the day. Call costs from mobiles vary according to the calling plan chosen. Typically, they are included in free call packages.

  1. However, if you call an 01/02 number outside of any inclusive minutes, they can cost between 3p and 65p per minute;
  2. –> 03 numbers: UK-wide non-geographic numbers Many organisations use 03 numbers as an alternative to more expensive 08 numbers;

For example, many public sector bodies have moved from 0845 numbers to 0345. Calls cost no more than calls to geographic numbers (01 or 02). Calls from landlines are typically charged up to 16p per minute. Many providers charge a 23p call set-up fee (or ‘connection charge’), but this can vary.

  • Call charges are dependent on the time of day, and most providers offer call packages that allow calls free of charge at certain times of the day;
  • Call costs from mobiles vary according to the calling plan chosen;

Typically, they are included in free call packages. However, if you call an 01/02 number outside of any inclusive minutes, they can cost between 3p and 65p per minute. –> 0500: Freephone The 0500 Freephone number range was withdrawn on 5 June 2017. It had been used to provide services such as sales, enquiries and helplines, alongside the widely-used 0800 and 0808 Freephone numbers.

  1. Read more about our decision to withdraw 0500 numbers;
  2. –> 07: mobile numbers Many landline providers now include calls to mobiles in their call allowances, but where they don’t, they are typically charged between 10p and 20p per minute;

There can also be a call set-up fee (or ‘connection charge’), which is usually 23p. Calls between mobiles are normally included in free call packages. However, if made outside of any inclusive minutes, they can cost between 3p and 65p per minute, depending on the call plan chosen.

–> 070: personal numbers These are different from mobile numbers, and calls to them can be more expensive. They can be used as a ‘follow me’ service, where calls are diverted from another number. Some phone companies include calls to 070 numbers in call allowances.

However, some don’t, and calls can cost around 50p per minute from a landline or 86p per minute from a mobile. –> 0800 and 0808: Freephone A number of businesses and organisations use Freephone numbers, including some helplines and charities such as Action on Hearing Loss or Age UK, as well as Government services such as Jobseeker’s Allowance.

  1. Calls are free of charge from all consumer landlines and mobile phones;
  2. If you are calling from a business phone, you should check with your provider whether there will be a charge for calling 0800 or 0808;

–> 084 numbers These service numbers are used by organisations for sales or enquiry lines. The cost of calling 0843, 0844 and 0845 numbers is made up of two parts: an access charge going to your phone company, and a  service charge set by the organisation you are calling.

The  service charge for calls to 084 numbers is between 0p and 7p per minute. The service charge must be clearly displayed wherever the phone number is advertised or promoted. The  access charge – which is additional to the service charge – will vary depending on your phone company, and can range from 8p to 67p per minute.

Choose a provider from the table below for more information on their pricing.

Provider Access charge (per minute) Service charge (per minute)
Asda Mobile 8p Between 0p and 7p
BT Between 0p and 31. 41p depending on call plan
EE Between 11p and 67p depending on call plan
Giffgaff 25p
Kcom 15p
Lycamobile 23p
O2 65p
Plusnet 9. 58p
Post Office 14p
Sky 15p
Talk Mobile 15p
TalkTalk 12. 5p from landline; 25p from mobile
Tesco Mobile 25p
Three 65p
Virgin Media From 17p to 58p depending on call plan
Vodafone 45p for pay as you go customers; 65p for pay monthly customers
Zen Internet 11p

–> 087 numbers These service numbers are used by organisations for sales or enquiry lines. The cost of calling 087 numbers is made up of two parts: an access charge going to your phone company, and a service charge set by the organisation you are calling. The service charge for calls to 087 numbers is between 0p and 13p per minute. The service charge must be clearly displayed wherever the phone number is advertised or promoted.

Provider Access charge (per minute) Service charge (per minute)
Asda Mobile 8p Between 0p and 13p
BT Between 0p and 31. 41p depending on call plan
EE Between 11p and 67p depending on call plan
Giffgaff 25p
Kcom 15p
Lycamobile 23p
O2 65p
Plusnet 9. 58p
Post Office 14p
Sky 15p
Talk Mobile 15p
TalkTalk 12. 5p from landline; 25p from mobile
Tesco Mobile 25p
Three 65p
Virgin Media From 17p to 58p depending on call plan
Vodafone 45p for pay as you go customers; 65p for pay monthly customers
Zen Internet 11p

Many 087 numbers are also regulated by the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) (previously known as PhonePayPlus and ICSTIS). You can find out more information at the  PSA website. –> 09 numbers These premium rate numbers are mainly used for competitions, TV voting, horoscopes, chat lines, adult lines, recorded information and professional advice services. You can bar them from being dialled from your phone, as you can with other numbers.

  • The access charge – which is additional to the service charge – will vary depending on your phone company, and can range from 8p to 67p per minute;
  • Choose a provider from the table below for more information on their pricing;

These numbers are also regulated by the Phone-paid Services Authority* The cost of calling 09 numbers is made up of two parts: an  access charge going to your phone company, and a  service charge set by the organisation you are calling. The  service charge for calls to 09 numbers can range from 1p to £3.

60 per minute. You may be charged a one-off call cost ranging from 5p to £6. The service charge must be clearly displayed wherever the phone number is advertised or promoted. The  access charge – which is additional to the service charge – will vary depending on your phone company, and can range from 8p to 67p per minute.

Choose a provider from the table below for more information on their pricing.

Provider Access charge (per minute) Service charge (per minute)
Asda Mobile 8p Between 1p and £3. 60
BT Between 0p and 31. 41p depending on call plan
EE Between 11p and 67p depending on call plan
Giffgaff 25p
Kcom 15p
Lycamobile 23p
O2 65p
Plusnet 9. 58p
Post Office 14p
Sky 15p
Talk Mobile 15p
TalkTalk 12. 5p from landline; 25p from mobile
Tesco Mobile 55p
Three 65p
Virgin Media From 17p to 58p depending on call plan
Vodafone 45p for pay as you go customers; 65p for pay monthly customers
Zen Internet 11p

*The Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) (previously known as PhonePayPlus and ICSTIS) regulates phone-paid services in the UK. These are the premium rate goods and services that you can buy by charging the cost to your phone bill and prepay account. You can find out more information at the  PSA website. –> 116 numbers for services of social value 116 numbers are used for certain services of social value which have the same six-digit number across the European Union. They are:

  • 000 for missing children hotlines;
  • 111 for child helplines; and
  • 123 for emotional support helplines.

116 numbers are free to call from any phone, whether landline or mobile. –> 118 directory enquiry numbers The cost of calling directory enquiry numbers (starting 118) is made up of two parts: an  access charge going to your phone company, and a service charge  set by the organisation you are calling. The service charge can vary depending on the directory enquiry service you call, and it’s worth shopping around to find the lowest price.

As of 1 April 2019, 118 service charges are subject to a cap, which means 118 companies must not charge more than £3. 65 per 90 seconds of a call. The service charge must be clearly displayed wherever the phone number is advertised or promoted.

Calls can include a one-off connection charge and then a separate per minute rate – this also varies depending on the service. For example, some providers may charge around £2. 50 as a one-off charge and then an additional per-minute charge of around 75p a minute.

We would encourage customers only to use the directory enquiries service for onward connection to the number they have asked for when they really need to, as the charges are often higher than hanging up and calling directly on your landline or mobile.

The  access charge – which is additional to the service charge – will vary depending on your phone company, and can range from 8p to 67p per minute. Choose a provider from the table below for more information on their pricing.

Provider Access charge (per minute) Service charge
Asda Mobile 8p See above.
BT Between 0p and 31. 41p depending on call plan
EE Between 11p and 67p depending on call plan
Giffgaff 25p
Kcom 15p
Lycamobile 23p
O2 65p
Plusnet 9. 58p
Post Office 14p
Sky 15p
Talk Mobile 15p
TalkTalk 12. 5p from landline; 25p from mobile
Tesco Mobile 25p
Three 65p
Virgin Media From 17p to 58p depending on call plan
Vodafone 45p for pay as you go customers; 65p for pay monthly customers
Zen Internet 11p

118 numbers are also regulated by the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) (previously known as PhonePayPlus and ICSTIS), which regulates phone-paid services in the UK. These are the premium rate goods and services that you can buy by charging the cost to your phone bill and prepay account. You can find out more information at the  PSA website. –> Three-digit numbers Calls to 999, 111, 112, 119, 101 and 105 are free from all phones.

How do I call an 800 number from the UK?

Calling US/Canadian toll free numbers – Normally, to call a toll free number registered in the US, Canada or any other country using the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) from abroad you should use the dialing instructions we provide on this site. Examples:

  • US toll free number 1 800 000 0000 would be dialed from the UK by adding 00 to it: 00 1 800 000 0000
  • Canadian toll free number 1 888 000 0000 would be dialed from the US as is because both countries use the NANP

Another way to dial North American toll free numbers from abroad is by replacing the 3 digit toll free codes with other codes introduced years ago:

  • 880 replaces 800 – so the example UK to US call above would become: 00 1 880 000 0000
  • 881 replaces 888 – again, the example US to Canada call above would be: 1 881 000 0000
  • 882 replaces 877
  • 883 replaces 866

These codes were originally introduced for calls to toll free numbers dialed between NANP countries, allowing the caller and the call receiver to each share their part of the cost (the caller would pay international charges and the callee would pay their national toll free rate). Moreover, according to this official announcement , the codes were supposedly retired in 2004. However, I’ve been getting reports stating that, not only they still work as described above, but it seems that they can be used to replace regular North American toll free codes when dialing from any country, and not just countries using the North American Numbering Plan.

How do I call an 800 number from Italy to UK?

Area Codes and Landlines – In Italy, landline numbers start with a zero. The first digits identify the landline’s geographic location. The following are the area codes for some of Italy’s most populous cities:

  • Genoa – 010
  • Milan – 02
  • Naples – 081
  • Palermo – 091
  • Rome – 06
  • Turin – 011

When calling a landline in Italy, all digits (including the leading 0) are dialled, even if calling from the same area. When dialling from another country, include the 0 prefix with the area code. For example, to call a number in Rome 06XXXXXXX from the UK from overseas:

  • Dial the international call prefix (00/+), then the Italian country code (48), and finally the subscriber number (include the leading 0), e. , 00-39-06XXXXXXX or +39-06XXXXXXX.

Calling 0800 Numbers From Spain On Uk Mobile Number Italy Country Code +39 0039.

Which country code is 0800?

United Kingdom [ edit ] – In the United Kingdom , toll-free telephone numbers are generally known as “freephone” numbers (British Telecom numbers are officially Freefone ) and begin with the prefixes 0800 or 0808. The most commonly used prefix is 0800, first used in November 1985.

  • Additionally, numbers in the range 0808 80x xxxx are reserved for not-for-profit helplines, through a scheme negotiated by the Helplines Partnership (now known as the Helplines Association);
  • Since 1 July 2015, all 0800 and 0808 numbers have been free to call from landlines and mobile phones alike;

Most mobile phone operators had charged for such calls previously, with Orange being the final major network to introduce such charges during December 2005. Certain helplines, such as those in the 0808 80x xxxx series had remained free from most networks on a voluntary basis and some niche operators, such as Giffgaff always offered freephone calls at no charge.

The UK mobile operators offer an alternative product to organisations who wish to provide toll-free services – 5-digit voice short codes which are sold through mobile aggregators. 0500 numbers, introduced by Mercury Communications (later known as Cable & Wireless , now Vodafone) in 1982, were also freephone numbers (known as “FreeCall”), but were officially withdrawn by Ofcom on 3 June 2017.

A three-year transition period prior to that had allowed existing subscribers to migrate to matching 080 85 numbers with the same final 6 digits as before. While the numbers had been portable, the 0500 range had been closed to new allocations since 1997/98.

0500 numbers had six more digits after the prefix. 0800 numbers can have six or seven digits after the prefix. 0808 numbers have seven digits after the prefix. Freephone numbers in the range 08081 570000 to 570999 are blocked out by Ofcom for use as fictitious telephone numbers.

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Are 0800 numbers UK?

What are 0800 Numbers? – 0800 numbers are UK non-geographic phone numbers that have been “free to call” from UK-based mobile and landline phones since 1st July 2015. Before July 2015, calling a UK 0800 number was only free from landline phones. Mobile phone callers were charged for the 0800 call by their provider.

  • This led to accusations of unfair practice and raised questions as to whether an 0800 number could be accurately called a true “freephone” number;
  • After conducting various studies into the usage of non-geographic numbers , Ofcom finally recognised the unfairness of charging mobile calls to 0800 numbers, leading to the launch of its “UK Calling Initiative” in July 2015;

Since then, greater transparency has been brought to the 0800 number market. Mobile callers can now ring 0800 numbers without being charged extra on top of their mobile plan inclusive minutes. For mobile phone users, one of the most positive aspects of the new rules introduced by Ofcom on 1st July 2015 was knowing that calling an 0800 number from a mobile phone was now free.

Which country code is 0800?

United Kingdom [ edit ] – In the United Kingdom , toll-free telephone numbers are generally known as “freephone” numbers (British Telecom numbers are officially Freefone ) and begin with the prefixes 0800 or 0808. The most commonly used prefix is 0800, first used in November 1985.

Additionally, numbers in the range 0808 80x xxxx are reserved for not-for-profit helplines, through a scheme negotiated by the Helplines Partnership (now known as the Helplines Association). Since 1 July 2015, all 0800 and 0808 numbers have been free to call from landlines and mobile phones alike.

How to call 0800 Numbers for free an mobile or cell phone in the uk

Most mobile phone operators had charged for such calls previously, with Orange being the final major network to introduce such charges during December 2005. Certain helplines, such as those in the 0808 80x xxxx series had remained free from most networks on a voluntary basis and some niche operators, such as Giffgaff always offered freephone calls at no charge.

  • The UK mobile operators offer an alternative product to organisations who wish to provide toll-free services – 5-digit voice short codes which are sold through mobile aggregators;
  • 0500 numbers, introduced by Mercury Communications (later known as Cable & Wireless , now Vodafone) in 1982, were also freephone numbers (known as “FreeCall”), but were officially withdrawn by Ofcom on 3 June 2017;

A three-year transition period prior to that had allowed existing subscribers to migrate to matching 080 85 numbers with the same final 6 digits as before. While the numbers had been portable, the 0500 range had been closed to new allocations since 1997/98.

0500 numbers had six more digits after the prefix. 0800 numbers can have six or seven digits after the prefix. 0808 numbers have seven digits after the prefix. Freephone numbers in the range 08081 570000 to 570999 are blocked out by Ofcom for use as fictitious telephone numbers.

.

How do I call a toll free number from the UK?

Calling US/Canadian toll free numbers – Normally, to call a toll free number registered in the US, Canada or any other country using the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) from abroad you should use the dialing instructions we provide on this site. Examples:

  • US toll free number 1 800 000 0000 would be dialed from the UK by adding 00 to it: 00 1 800 000 0000
  • Canadian toll free number 1 888 000 0000 would be dialed from the US as is because both countries use the NANP

Another way to dial North American toll free numbers from abroad is by replacing the 3 digit toll free codes with other codes introduced years ago:

  • 880 replaces 800 – so the example UK to US call above would become: 00 1 880 000 0000
  • 881 replaces 888 – again, the example US to Canada call above would be: 1 881 000 0000
  • 882 replaces 877
  • 883 replaces 866

These codes were originally introduced for calls to toll free numbers dialed between NANP countries, allowing the caller and the call receiver to each share their part of the cost (the caller would pay international charges and the callee would pay their national toll free rate). Moreover, according to this official announcement , the codes were supposedly retired in 2004. However, I’ve been getting reports stating that, not only they still work as described above, but it seems that they can be used to replace regular North American toll free codes when dialing from any country, and not just countries using the North American Numbering Plan.

Are 0800 numbers UK?

What are 0800 Numbers? – 0800 numbers are UK non-geographic phone numbers that have been “free to call” from UK-based mobile and landline phones since 1st July 2015. Before July 2015, calling a UK 0800 number was only free from landline phones. Mobile phone callers were charged for the 0800 call by their provider.

This led to accusations of unfair practice and raised questions as to whether an 0800 number could be accurately called a true “freephone” number. After conducting various studies into the usage of non-geographic numbers , Ofcom finally recognised the unfairness of charging mobile calls to 0800 numbers, leading to the launch of its “UK Calling Initiative” in July 2015.

Since then, greater transparency has been brought to the 0800 number market. Mobile callers can now ring 0800 numbers without being charged extra on top of their mobile plan inclusive minutes. For mobile phone users, one of the most positive aspects of the new rules introduced by Ofcom on 1st July 2015 was knowing that calling an 0800 number from a mobile phone was now free.

How do you call 0808 numbers from abroad?

How to Call 0800 Numbers from Europe – 0800 numbers are typically used to contact local businesses or organisations within the UK. But calling an 0800 number from abroad is also possible. Individuals who are based in other European countries may call an 0800 number if the business or organisation is paying premiums for international accessibility to their number. People outside of the UK but within the EU might feel confused whether they will be charged for calling an 0800 number.

  • Most telecommunication providers inform the caller of international rates before connecting the line;
  • The actual call is relatively simple;
  • The UK’s country code is +44 so callers from Europe can simply dial +44 0800 or +44800 followed by the final digits of the UK-based business or organisation to call an 0800 number;

On another note, potential customers who are set on contacting the UK-based business or organisation may call the 0800 number via Skype or a similar platform. This doesn’t incur additional charges on either end, but it does add an extra step that would discourage many people.