Telephone numbers in Ireland

Telephone Dialling Codes in Ireland
Country	Ireland
Continent	Europe
Regulator	ComReg
Numbering plan type	Open
NSN length	7–9
Format	various, see text
Country code	+353
International access	00
Long-distance	0
List of Ireland area codes

Numbers on the Irish telephone numbering plan are regulated and assigned to operators byComReg.

Telephone numbers in Ireland are part of an open numbering plan that allows variations in number length. The Irish format is similar to systems used in many parts of Europe, notably the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Belgium and France, where geographical numbers are organised using a logic of large regional prefixes, which are then further subdivided into smaller regions. It differs from UK numbering, which originated as alphanumeric codes based on town names.

Irish Mobile and non–geographic numbers are fixed length and do not support local dialling.

The trunk prefix0 is used to access numbers outside the local area and for all mobile calls. This is followed by an area code, referred to as a National Dialling Code (NDC), the first digit of which indicates the geographical area or type of service (e.g. mobile).

Calls made from mobile phones and some VoIP systems always require the full area code and phone number.

In common with most European countries, the trunk prefix0 must be omitted when calling Irish numbers from abroad.

Irish area codes vary in length, between one and three digits (excluding the leading 0), and subscribers' numbers are between five and seven digits.

As optional local dialling is facilitated, Irish geographic numbers cannot begin with 0 (trunk prefix), 1 (special number prefix) or 999 (emergency services). However, mobile numbers use the full range of digits, as local dialling is not supported on mobile networks, and the area code must always be dialled.

A migration to a standard format,0xx xxx xxxx, is in progress; however, to avoid disruption, this process is only being carried out as needed, where existing area codes and local numbering systems have reached full capacity. There is currently no plan to move to a closed numbering system.

Irish geographic numbers vary in length from area to area, but follow standard formats within each area code.

The area code, or prefix, is normally separated by a space, or less commonly, may be displayed in parentheses (brackets). Numbers are usually grouped into easy to read clusters, separated by spaces or hyphens for ease of use.

The use of spaces is recommended byComReg for ease of compatibility with online services, such as linking to a phone number in a mobile browser, copying and pasting into mobile diallers etc

Other characters, such as/ or. are not used as separators.

Area codes / prefixes are always separated from the subscriber number. Merging or reformatting these tends to cause confusion or make numbers look unfamiliar.

While formats vary, numbers are usually printed (e.g. in telephone directories) as follows:

Geographic:

• 01 XXX XXXX – Dublin area
• 0XX XXX XXXX – All other 7-digit areas
• 0XX XXX XXX – 6-digit areas
• 0XX XXXXX – 5-digit areas
• 0X0X XXXXX – 5-digit areas

Non-geographic

• 1800 XXX XXX – Freephone/Toll Free
• 0818 XXX XXX – Standard Rate

Mobile

• 08X XXX XXXX

Mobile M2M (Machine to Machine)

• 088 XXXXX XXXXX

Alphanumeric dialling, using letters as mnemonics for advertising etc is supported, but is rarely used.

Irish geographical numbering is structured on a regional basis and follows a logical hierarchy.

These directory areas correspond approximately to the following geographical regions:

• 01 – Greater Dublin Area
• 02 – Cork
• 04 – Northeast
• 05 – Southeast
• 06 – Midwest and Southwest
• 07 – Northwest
• 09 – West

The Midlands is covered by several regional codes.

Except for the01 area, each area is further subdivided into smaller areas (NDCs). Usually, the main city or town in the area is0x1 e.g.021 (Cork),061 (Limerick),091 (Galway).

ComReg maintains a map of area codeshere.

Mobile phone numbers start with the prefix08x and are part of a closed numbering plan, which means that a mobile phone number must have 10 digits. Calls to landlines and other mobiles require the area code on a mobile phone.

New numbers are assigned on prefixes and ranges managed by a specific operator. However, as fullmobile number portability has been in operation since 2003, it is no longer possible to reliably identify which network a particular number is on. For example, a newly assignedThree number would begin with083, but may have been ported to another operator in the meantime.

Mobile phone numbers also have their own voicemail number. To access this, the number5 should be put after the prefix. For example, the mobile number08x xxx xxxx has the voicemail number08x 5 xxx xxxx.

On some networks, when the direct to voicemail number is called, the voicemail greeting for that network is played (e.g. Vodafone, eir Mobile), while others request a phone number followed by the voicemail greeting for that number (e.g. Three). Users can press the hash key (#) to gain access to the voicemail box.

Although Northern Ireland is part of theUK numbering plan, a special arrangement exists for calling Northern Irish landlines from the Republic of Ireland.

Calls to Northern Ireland can be dialled using the048 prefix or by dialling the number in the full international format. Most Irish operators treat calls to Northern Ireland at national or even local rates. Similar charging arrangements apply when calling the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland.

For example, to reachBelfast landline90xx xxxx, subscribers can dial either048 90xx xxxx or00 44 28 90xx xxxx.

Northern Ireland mobile phones use the same mobile numbering and networks as other parts of the UK – calls must be dialled using the00 44 7xxx xxx xxx format.

In common with all EU countries, the international access code is00.

Numbers should be dialled as follows:00 –country code – area code – local number.

All mobile phones and some VoIP services also support the internationalE.164 number format, so a+ may be optionally used instead of00.

• 03 – reserved for future changes in the numbering plan
• 07 – all except0707,0700,071,074 and076 are reserved without assigned purpose
• 0707 – reserved for personal numbering
• 0800 – reserved

• 00 – international access
• 020 91x xxxx –drama use (although the rest of020 is free)
• 0700 – personal numbering
• 076 –VoIP services – (being withdrawn.)
• 080 – mailbox for landline users (formerly access code for Northern Ireland)
• 089 011 0xxx^[1] – drama use

• 1901 – eir
• 1902 –Digiweb
• 1903 – Tesco Mobile
• 1904 –BT Ireland
• 1907 – Vodafone Ireland
• 1908 – Virgin Mobile Ireland
• 1910 –Magnet Networks
• 1913 – Three Ireland
• 1977 – NUACOM Ireland
• 1923 – Lycamobile Ireland

General operator assistance no longer exists in Ireland.

• 118xx – Directory enquiries (multiple commercial providers offer a variety of services in this number range)

The emergency number for Ireland is999. However, the112 code also accesses the emergency operator. This code is harmonised across the EU. Either can be dialled.

• Ambulance
• Garda Síochána
• Fire and rescue
• Irish Coast Guard
• Cliff and mountain rescue

112 can also be contacted bySMS. While the service is open to all users, it is primarily aimed at the deaf community.

Pre-registration used to be required. Further information can be found atSending a text to 112.

Irish premium rate telephone numbers start with15 and are read in two-digit blocks e.g.1550 is "fifteen fifty".

The rates given below are from ComReg and are indicative only. One must check with their specific telephone service provider for exact rates.

A special50XXX code is used for free–of–charge SMS.

Premium rate services in Ireland are regulated by ComReg.^[2]

Irish non-geographic numbers consist of two national prefixes and the international freephone service.

• 0818 – Charged as landline call, and are included in bundled minutes. 6-digit numbers in the format 0818 XXX XXX
• 1800 – Freephone / toll free (from all Irish mobile and landlines. 6-digit numbers in the format 1800 xxx xxx
• 00 800 – Freephone / toll free (from all Irish mobile and landlines. 8-digit numbers in the format 00 800 xxxx xxxx

Where high volume 'bursty traffic' is anticipated, such as on-air radio competition lines, the first two digits of the phone number are always71. For example:180071x xxx or081871x xxx. This allows the telephone network to manage traffic during number analysis, even before the call is routed.

Ireland's non-geographic numbers and pricing structures were simplified and old shared-cost prefixes were withdrawn on 1 January 2022.These changes mean that calls to non-geographic numbers are either freephone, or always included in call bundles, ensuring consumers are not confused by out of bundle, or other unusual charges.

Due to theCOVID-19 crisis, several HSE numbers in the1850 and1890 ranges which were to be withdrawn on 1st Jan 2022 had their service deadline extended to 30 Nov 2023. This was to avoid disruption to essential health services during a time of high volumes of calls. They operated alongside the new numbers that replaced them but advertising of the expiring numbers ceased. Calls to these numbers were be charged on the same basis as calls to landlines or0818 and included in call bundles.^[3]

Freephone numbers are free to call from mobile handsets; however, the recipient can elect to refuse mobile–originated calls or choose to accept calls only from predefined geographical region(s).

NB:1800 can only be dialled from within Ireland. Numbers should never be printed or presented in the international format+353 1800 as these clash with working Dublin landline numbers in the01 area+353 1 800 xxxx. Alternative geographic numbers, or an0818 number should be used instead, if international access is required.

Following a 2019 review^[4] of non–geographic numbers Comreg decided to withdraw and close the1850,1890 and076 number ranges by 1 January 2022. During the transition period, these ranges were geo–rated (charged as if they are geographical numbers).

From August 2019, various telecoms providers announced price changes which took effect on, or just before, 1 December 2019, includingVirgin Media Business,in2tel,Virgin Media,eir,Tesco Mobile,Three,Digiweb,Pure Telecom,48 months,Sky andNUACOM

From 1 January 2022 callers to the withdrawn prefixes receive recorded announcements.

• 1891 – reduced cost internet access (possibly timed)
• 1892 – local rate internet access (timed)
• 1893 – variable cost internet access (timed)

• 13xxx – carrier selection (third party long distance, international and internet services). These codes override the default carrier.

Carrier preselect is normally used where the exchange automatically uses the customer's preferred provider(s).

• 199xxx... – network operator-specific engineering codes (undefined length). These codes are generally not published.

These services give the user more information about their phone line (applicable only to lines provided using theOpenEir access network.)

• 199000 – reads out the subscriber's telephone number.

Check which carrier a subscriber is using for each category of call:

• 19800 – international calls
• 19822 – local calls
• 19801 – calls to other parts of the Republic of Ireland, Irish mobile numbers and landlines in Northern Ireland.

• 171 – used to access voicemail on all networks: fixed line (POTS and Cable), all mobile operators and many VoIP providers.

Special short codes are used to control various supplementary services offered by digital local exchanges. These services were first introduced as PhonePlus in 1981, on the first generation of Alcatel E10 and Ericsson AXE digital exchanges used in Ireland, and were rolled out nationally throughout the 1980s.

These services are available on all Irish PSTN lines, regardless of operator. There is a more expansive range of services available, but these are the most commonly used. Different codes apply on cable telephony lines, such as those provided byVirgin Media Ireland and on VoIP providers.

• 141 – caller ID default override – withhold caller ID on this call
• 142 – caller ID default override – present caller ID on this call
• 1471 – check last missed call. The system will verbally announce details of the last missed call
• #93# – delete missed call information from network memory

• *43# – setup
• *#43# – check status
• #43# – cancel

• R0 – reject call (or send to voicemail) and temporarily suspend call waiting service for this call.
• R1 – answer waiting call and disconnect current call.
• R2 – answer waiting call and place current call on hold/or swap between calls.
• R3 – merge both calls into a three–way call.

• While on a phone call a subscriber can press theR key on their phone and dial the number they wish to add to the conversation.
• DialR3 to begin conference/three–way call.
• R2 allows a subscriber to separate the calls and swap between them.

• R – places call on hold. Hang up and telephone will ring until call on hold is picked up again.

• *21*(phone number)# – forward all calls to(phone number)
• *#21# – check status
• #21# – deactivate

When this service is active, the dial tone changes to a two–frequency 'siren' tone.

• *55*[time in 4–digit 24h format]# e.g. for 8:30 am dial*55*0830#
• *#55# – check status
• #55# – cancel

Most exchanges confirm setup with a verbal announcement; however, some exchanges may use a ringing tone to indicate successful service setup and a busy tone to indicate an error/invalid code.

(Codes are unique toVirgin Media Ireland and do not follow ETSI guidelines)

• 141 – caller ID default override – withhold caller ID on this call
• 142 – caller ID default override – present caller ID on this call

• *70 – immediately followed by(phone number)
• #70 – deactivate

• *75 – activate when busy
• #75 – deactivate when busy
• *77 – forward if unanswered
• #77 – deactivate if unanswered

• *72 – activate
• #72 – deactivate

• R1 – answer waiting call and disconnect current call.
• R2 – answer waiting call and place current call on hold or swap between calls.

• *90 – activate
• #90 – deactivate

• ##

The subscriber will either hear a tone or a voice message to confirm services have been set up or deactivated.

• GSM supplementary service codes – All of Ireland's mobile providers use the standard GSM codes to control special services such as call forwarding, barring, call waiting etc.

Several major number changes have occurred since 1990. The telephone number changes in Dublin and Cork took several years to complete, as they were busier area codes with few available lead digits. Other number changes took place in just one step, with all numbers being changed simultaneously.

To minimise disruption simultaneous working was enabled, allowing old numbers to remain mapped and active for a run-in period of one year. Caller ID only displayed the new numbers. This was followed by recorded announcements which remained active for at least a year, advising callers of the number change. Eventually this would be replaced by a dialling error message.

Dublin (01) changes to 7-digits.

• All local numbers with the area code01 changed from 6–digits to 7–digits in five stages between 1990 and 1994:
  • On 2 April 1990, numbers beginning with23,24,26,27,28,70 and79 were prefixed with6.
  • On 8 April 1991, numbers beginning with8 and69 were prefixed with2.
  • On 4 April 1992, numbers beginning with4 and the remaining 6–digit numbers beginning with2 were prefixed with8. Numbers beginning with95 and98 were prefixed with2.
  • On 24 April 1993, numbers beginning with75,780,781,782,783 and784 were prefixed with4, while numbers beginning with60,61,68,71,76,77,785and789 were prefixed with6, and numbers beginning with72,73,74,786,787 and788 were prefixed with8.
  • On 16 April 1994, numbers beginning with3 were prefixed with8, while numbers beginning with5 and9 were prefixed with4.

• All local numbers with the area code041 changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in theDrogheda minimum numbering area (MNA) were prefixed by98 and in theArdee MNA by68.
• All local numbers with the area code042 changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in theDundalk MNA were prefixed by93, in theCarrickmacross MNA by96 and theCastleblayney MNA by97.
• All local numbers with the area code049 changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in theCavan MNA were prefixed by43, in theCootehill MNA by55, in theOldcastle MNA by85 and theBelturbet MNA by95.
• All local numbers with the area code065 changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in theEnnis MNA were prefixed by68, in theEnnistymon MNA by70 and theKilrush MNA by90.
• All local numbers with the area code066 changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in theTralee MNA were prefixed by71, in theDingle MNA by91, in theCahirciveen MNA by94 and theKillorglin MNA by97.

Cork (021) changes to 7 digits.

• All local numbers with the area code021 changed from 6–digits to 7–digits in two stages.
  • From September 1998, numbers beginning with40 were prefixed with2, while numbers beginning with43 and33 were prefixed by7.
  • From February 2000, numbers beginning with2,3,5,6,7,8 or9 were prefixed with4.

• The prefix080 was previously used for calls toNorthern Ireland, but this changed to048 following theBig Number Change.

• Area codes in parts of countiesMeath andOffaly were merged into the single area code046, includingNavan,Nobber,Kells,Trim,Enfield andEdenderry. The0405 area code was abolished. All local numbers became 7–digit.
• All local numbers with the area code056 changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in theKilkenny MNA were prefixed by77, in theCastlecomer MNA by44 and theFreshford MNA by88.
• Area codes inCounty Carlow and parts of countiesKildare,Kilkenny,Laois andWicklow were merged into a new area code059, includingCarlow,Bagenalstown,Athy andBaltinglass. The area codes abolished were0503,0507 and0508. All local numbers became 7–digit.
• Area codes inCounty Sligo andCounty Leitrim and parts of countiesCavan,Donegal andRoscommon were merged into the single area code071, includingSligo,Boyle,Carrick-on-Shannon,Drumshanbo,Manorhamilton. The area codes abolished were072,078 and079. All local numbers became 7–digit.
• The majority of area codes inCounty Donegal were merged into the single area code074, includingLetterkenny,Lifford,Ramelton,Buncrana,Dungloe andDonegal. The area codes abolished were073,075 and077. All local numbers became 7–digit.
• Area codes in parts of countiesGalway,Offaly,Roscommon,Westmeath andLongford were merged into a new area code090, includingAthlone,Banagher (North),Ballinasloe,Roscommon,Portumna.^{[note 1]} The area codes abolished were0902,0903 and0905. All local numbers became 7–digit.
• Area codes in parts of countiesGalway,Mayo,Roscommon andSligo were merged into the single area code094, includingCastlebar,Swinford,Claremorris,Ballinrobe,Castlerea andBallaghaderreen. The area codes abolished were0907 and092. All local numbers became 7–digit.

• All local numbers with the area code044 changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in theTyrrellspass MNA were prefixed by92, in theMullingar MNA by93 and theCastlepollard MNA by96.
• Area codes inCounty Wexford and parts of countiesCarlow andWicklow were merged into the single area code053, includingWexford,Enniscorthy,Ferns andGorey. The area codes abolished were054and055. All local numbers became 7–digit.
• Area codes in countiesLaois andOffaly and parts of countiesGalway andWestmeath were merged into the single area code057, includingPortlaoise,Abbeyleix,Tullamore andBirr. The area codes abolished were0502,0506 and0509. All local numbers became 7–digit.

• All local numbers with the area code023 changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in theBandon MNA were prefixed by88.^[5]
• All local numbers with the area code043 changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in theLongford MNA were prefixed by33 and in theGranard MNA by66.
• All local numbers with the area code052 changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in theClonmel MNA were prefixed by61, in theCahir MNA by74 and theKillenaule MNA by91.
• All local numbers with the area code064 changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in theKillarney MNA were prefixed by66 and in theRathmore MNA by77.

• Mobile numbering became 7–digit in the mid–1990s

All local numbers with the area code01 (Dublin and surrounds) are currently 7–digits, but may change to 8–digits in the future, although breaking the city into separate area codes would match the rest of the national system.

A review and public consultation on the future of Ireland's numbering plan was published in 2013.^[6]

• 1850 – Local rate, shared cost, untimed
• 1890 – Local rate, shared cost, timed
• 076 or+353 76 – VoIP services

All of the above were withdrawn on 1 January 2022.

• 16 – former international access code^[7]
• 03 – formerly used for calls to Great Britain. The format was03 + NDC code + local number.^[8]
• 08 – formerly used for Northern Ireland landlines
• 084 – formerly used for Belfast landlines^[9]

• 10 – national operator assistance (withdrawn in 2007)
• 114 – international operator assistance (withdrawn in 2007)
• 910 – operator-assisted calls to some areas without direct dialling (withdrawn in the early 1980s)
• 1190 –Telecom Éireann national directory assistance (withdrawn in the early 2000s and replaced with11811, originally190)
• 1197 – Telecom Éireann UK directory assistance (withdrawn in the early 2000s and replaced with11818, originally197)
• 1198 – Telecom Éireann international directory assistance (withdrawn in the early 2000s and replaced with11818, originally198)
• 191 – Telecom Éireann repair services (withdrawn in the late 1990s)
• 196 – telemessaging services, whereby callers could ask an operator to send a postcard with a printed message (withdrawn in the late 1990s)

A range of numbers from192,193 and194 were once used for various Telecom Éireann customer service and account service lines.

• 1191 – speaking clock (withdrawn on 27 August 2018)

• before 2000:08 followed by Northern Irish area code and phone number e.g. Belfast01232 xxx xxx was reached by dialling08 01232 xxx xxx.

Belfast could previously be reached by dialling084 in place of the UK area code0232.^[9]

Until the early 1990s, the03 numbering range was originally used for calls toGreat Britain,^[10] including theChannel Islands and theIsle of Man, with the Irish prefix030 replacing the UK trunk code0.^[8][11]

Calls to British cities using thedirector telephone system were also possible using shorter codes:

• 031 – London (01)^[12]
• 032 –Birmingham (021)^[13]
• 033 –Edinburgh (031)^[13]
• 034 –Glasgow (041)^[13]
• 035 –Liverpool (051)^[13]
• 036 –Manchester (061)^[13]

031 was replaced with03071^[14] and03081^[15] when01 was split into the area codes071 and081 in 1990.

Use of03 for this purpose was discontinued in 1993, when the international access code changed from16 to00, with calls to Great Britain (but not Northern Ireland) requiring the country code+44 and the area code in full.^[16]

• List of dialling codes in the Republic of Ireland

Sources

• ITU allocations list

• Comreg homepage
• Comreg:Geographic Numbering Areas (pdf)

• Telephone numbers in the Republic of Ireland
• Telephone numbers by country
• Republic of Ireland-related lists

• Articles with short description
• Short description with empty Wikidata description
• Use Hiberno-English from October 2018
• All Wikipedia articles written in Hiberno-English
• Use dmy dates from December 2023