Check phone number activity, carrier details, line type and more.
Phone Numbers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Quick Reference
Country: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Country Code: +971
International Prefix: 00
National Prefix: 0
Overview
Discover the comprehensive telephone numbering plan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This guide covers the structure of phone numbers, dialing procedures, and essential insights for telecom professionals, developers, and anyone working with UAE phone numbers.
Number Structure
General Number Structure
UAE phone numbers are organized as follows:
Country Code: +971
Area Codes: Varies by emirate or region.
Subscriber Number: Length varies based on service type (landline, mobile, toll-free).
Number Format Breakdown
Type
Format
Example
Description
Landline
+971 [2-9] [2-8]X{6}
+971 4 234 5678
Landline numbers in major cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, etc.
Mobile
+971 5[024-68] X{7}
+971 50 123 4567
Mobile numbers, typically starting with 50, 52, 54, 55, 56, or 58.
Example: 00 1 212 555 1234 (Calling a number in New York, USA from the UAE).
Incoming: Dial +971 + [Area Code] + [Subscriber Number] (without the leading 0).
Example: +971 4 234 5678 (Calling a Dubai landline from abroad).
Number Portability
The UAE supports mobile number portability (MNP), allowing users to retain their mobile numbers when switching between service providers. This initiative fosters competition and enhances service quality.
The UAE adheres to ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union - Telecommunication Standardization Sector) recommendations, particularly E.164 for international numbering plans. The country code +971 is assigned to the UAE by ITU.
Technical Considerations
Number Allocation and Management
The TDRA oversees the allocation and management of phone numbers in the UAE, ensuring efficient use of number resources and availability for future demand.
Special Cases and Restrictions
Golden Numbers: Special numbers considered premium and may be sold at a higher cost.
Number Blocking: Certain numbers may be blocked or restricted based on regulatory requirements.
Developer Considerations
API Integration: Ensure systems handle specific formats and dialing rules for UAE numbers.
Validation: Use the provided regular expressions to validate UAE phone numbers in applications.
Portability Checks: Implement checks for number portability if your service involves mobile numbers.
For the most up-to-date information on telecommunications regulations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), please consult the official website of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).