How to Get a UK Phone Number (+44) from Abroad

You can get a UK phone number without visiting the United Kingdom. Thanks to VoIP (Voice over internet protocol) technology, a virtual UK number works from anywhere in the world. Expats can stay reachable for family and UK services, and overseas businesses can receive calls and SMS messages from local customers in the UK without opening an office.

In this article, we'll cover the types of UK numbers, a step-by-step guide of getting one, what it costs, and answers to the most common questions.

• What is a virtual UK phone number?
• Types of UK numbers you can get from overseas with Zadarma
• How to get a UK number from abroad: a step-by-step guide
• Who needs a UK number when overseas?
• Virtual UK number vs. roaming on a UK SIM
• How much does a UK virtual number cost?
• Conclusion
• FAQs

What is a virtual UK phone number?

A virtual UK number looks and works like any other British number. The difference is there's no landline or SIM behind it: calls arrive over the internet, and you answer them in an app, an IP phone, or forward them to whatever number you like, in any country.

For the person calling you, the process is the same as with a regular phone number. They dial a UK number, for example, a London 020 number, and pay their normal local rate, with no idea that you're located in another country.

Types of UK numbers you can get from overseas with Zadarma

Local (geographic) numbers

These are city-specific numbers with familiar area codes: 020 for London, 016 for Manchester, 012 for Birmingham, 0113 for Leeds, and many more. For companies focused on a particular city, a local number is the practical choice. Customers call local numbers far more often than international ones.

UK mobile numbers (07)

Virtual UK mobile numbers starting with 07 support both voice calls and 2-way SMS. You can receive calls anywhere in the world, while SMS lets you stay reachable by text and reach clients with reminders, updates, or other important information.

Keep in mind that a virtual UK mobile phone number works over the internet via an Android, iOS, Windows, macOS app, an IP phone, webphone or CRM, not through a physical SIM, so a stable internet connection is required.

Toll-free numbers (0800)

With a toll-free number, the call is free for the person calling, while the number owner covers the cost. These numbers are a classic choice for customer support lines and sales, because customers are more likely to call when it's free.

Important: Due to Ofcom, the UK telecom regulator, anti-fraud rules, calls to UK numbers cannot be made from outside the UK using your virtual UK number. If you are physically located abroad, outgoing calls to the UK will not connect.

How to get a UK number from abroad: a step-by-step guide

1. Create a Zadarma account. Registration is free and takes a couple of minutes.
2. Choose your number type and location. Top-up your account, then in the virtual numbers section, select the United Kingdom and pick the type you need — a geographic number for your chosen city, a mobile 07 number, or a toll-free 0800 number.
3. Verify your details. Identity verification may be required before your number is activated. You can find the full list of available numbers and the activation requirements here.
4. Connect your devices. Link the number to the free Zadarma app on iOS or Android, the desktop softphone, a browser-based webphone, or a hardware IP phone. You can find setup guides in the “Help - Programs for calls” section of your account.
5. Set up call flow. Decide where your calls should go: straight to the app, to your existing mobile number in your current country, or through the free cloud PBX, with voicemail, greetings, and call distribution if you need them.

Who needs a UK number when overseas?

• Expats and long-term travellers. Banks, the NHS, governmental institutions, delivery services, and family back home all expect a UK number. A virtual number keeps you reachable without paying roaming fees or maintaining an old SIM. You can also have several phone numbers on a single device.
• International businesses entering the UK market. A UK phone number on your website signals local presence. Customers can call at local rates, while your team answers from anywhere in the world.
• Remote workers and freelancers. If your clients are based in the UK, a local number keeps communication simple and professional. Your clients don't have to think about international dialling codes or call costs.
• Online sellers and e-commerce stores. Marketplaces and customers trust sellers with a local contact number. A UK number on your website boosts buyer confidence.

Virtual UK number vs. roaming on a UK SIM

At Zadarma, a virtual number comes with business tools that no SIM card can offer: a free cloud PBX, call recording and statistics, IVR (Interactive Voice Response) menus, CRM integration, and the ability to add numbers in 110+ other countries to the same account as your business grows.

How much does a UK virtual number cost?

UK virtual numbers are one of the most affordable ways to establish a British phone presence. Zadarma provides geographic numbers from just £1.50 per month and mobile numbers from £2, both with free incoming calls. Toll-free 0800 numbers start from £2 per month.

With a toll-free 0800 number, calls are free of charge for callers from the United Kingdom. Instead, the number owner pays for incoming calls: £0.018 per minute from UK landlines and £0.04 per minute from UK mobiles.

There are no connection fees on most UK virtual phone number types and no long-term contracts. Check the current UK number pricing on the Zadarma website for exact prices for your chosen city and number type.

Conclusion

Distance is no longer a barrier to having a UK phone presence. Whether you're an expat who needs to stay reachable for British banks and family, or a growing business, a virtual number gives you a local presence quickly, at a fraction of the cost of roaming, SIM cards, or physical offices.

With Zadarma, your UK number comes with a free cloud PBX, a mobile and a desktop app, and flexible call management tools, so you can answer UK calls from anywhere on the planet.