How to get a UK phone number from abroad

A +44 number lets British customers, banks and apps reach you as if you were in the UK. This guide explains how to get one online without a UK address, which type to pick, and how UK numbers are formatted.

Why people get a UK number

Serving UK customers who expect a familiar +44 number
Staying reachable for UK banks, employers, landlords and family after moving abroad
Receiving verification codes from services that expect a UK number
Running a UK support line on a freephone number
Having a London or Manchester presence without an office there

Which UK number type?

Mobile (07, or +44 7 internationally): best for SMS and app verification
Geographic (020 London, 0161 Manchester and other area codes): a local presence in a city
Freephone (0800 and 0808): free for callers, ideal for customer support

UK number format

Most UK numbers have 10 digits after +44. Inside the UK they're written with a leading 0, the trunk prefix, which you drop when writing the number internationally.

So a London number 020 7946 0958 becomes +44 20 7946 0958, and a mobile 07700 900123 becomes +44 7700 900123. In apps, choose United Kingdom (+44) and type the number without the leading 0.

Your options from abroad

A UK pay-as-you-go SIM works, but you normally need to buy it in the UK and keep it active, and it only rings the phone it's in. Keeping a UK SIM alive while living elsewhere often means roaming costs or the number lapsing after a period of inactivity.

A ZuteSIP UK number is a real +44 number that you order online and use from anywhere, with SMS and calls delivered to your dashboard, a SIP app or your own phone.

Setup

Open the United Kingdom inventory and pick a mobile, geographic or freephone number, depending on availability.
Create an account with just an email. No UK address is needed.
Top up your wallet with USDT or USDC and complete the order.
Receive SMS and calls within minutes, forward calls to any phone, or connect a SIP app.
Leave auto-renew on so the number stays yours.
Test it: send an SMS to the number and call it from another phone to confirm messages, the browser dialer and forwarding all work before you share it.

Receiving calls from the UK while abroad

When someone in the UK calls your +44 number, they pay a normal UK call rate for a mobile or geographic number, or nothing for a freephone number. The call then reaches you wherever you are: in the browser dialer, in a SIP app on your laptop or phone, or forwarded to any phone you choose.

This is handy if you've moved abroad but still deal with UK banks, the tax office, GP surgeries, employers or landlords, who may prefer to call a UK number. It also helps small businesses that serve British customers from another country.

You can also call and text UK numbers back from the same +44 number, using the outgoing SMS and minutes included in your plan, so your contacts see a consistent number.

Using it for WhatsApp and other apps

A UK mobile number is the most suitable type for app verification. Enter it as +44 followed by the number without its leading 0, request the code, and read it in your dashboard. If the SMS doesn't come, wait for the timer and try the call option.

Each app decides which numbers it accepts. If it doesn't work and the number is unused, the 7-day money-back guarantee applies.

Price and what's included

UK numbers start from $1.80 per month, billed yearly ($21.60 per year). Every plan includes unlimited incoming SMS and calls, 500 outgoing SMS and 1,000 outgoing minutes a month, SIP credentials, call forwarding and a browser dialer.

You can keep the number for as long as you want, and if it hasn't been used for any call or SMS you can get a full refund within 7 days.

Troubleshooting

App says the number is invalid: remove the leading 0 after +44
Code not arriving: wait for the resend timer and try the voice-call option
Callers from the UK can't reach you: check the number is active and your forwarding or SIP app is set up
Forwarding to a mobile abroad: make sure you enter the destination number in full international format
Messages seem delayed: refresh your dashboard, and ask the sender to confirm they used +44 and not a domestic format from abroad
SIP app not ringing: re-copy the server, username and password, and check the app is allowed to run in the background

Included on every plan

Unlimited incoming SMS
Unlimited incoming calls
500 outgoing SMS per month
1,000 outgoing minutes per month
SIP credentials, call forwarding and web dialer
Keep your number as long as you want
7-day money-back guarantee if the number is unused

Numbers from $1.80 per month, billed yearly ($21.60 per year). Pay with USDT or USDC.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a UK address to get a UK number?

No. You can order a ZuteSIP UK number online with just an email address, from any country.

Can I get a London 020 number?

Choose a geographic number from live inventory; each one shows the area it belongs to.

Will a UK number work for WhatsApp?

UK mobile numbers receive the SMS and calls WhatsApp uses for verification. If it doesn't work and it's unused, the 7-day money-back applies.

How many digits is a UK phone number?

Most UK numbers have 10 digits after +44, or 11 digits including the leading 0 when written domestically.

Do I keep the 0 when dialling +44?

No. Drop the leading 0: 07700 900123 becomes +44 7700 900123.

Are 0800 numbers free to call in the UK?

Yes. 0800 and 0808 freephone numbers are free for callers in the UK, which makes them popular for support lines.

How long can I keep a UK number?

As long as you want, with auto-renew from your wallet.