How to call the UAE from the UK
Dialling codes, number formats for mobiles and landlines, the time difference and the ways to call the UAE from the UK.
Updated 1 October 2026
To call the UAE from the UK, put three things in front of the local number: the code for dialling out of the UK, the UAE's country code (+971) and the number without its first 0.
The quick version
- From a UK mobile or landline: dial 00, then 971, then the number without its first 0, for example 00 971 50 XXX XXXX.
- From a smartphone you can type + instead of 00: +971 50 XXX XXXX.
- In DanaTel: type 971 (the + is already there), then the number without its first 0, or paste a number that starts with +971. The dialer shows the UAE and the price as soon as it recognises the code.
Calling a mobile in the UAE
A mobile number written locally as 050 XXX XXXX becomes +971 50 XXX XXXX when you call from the UK. If the number already starts with +971 or 00971, don't add the code again.
Calling a landline
Landline numbers start with an area code. Drop the area code's 0 and keep the rest:
| City | Written locally | From the UK |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 04 | +971 4 |
| Abu Dhabi | 02 | +971 2 |
| Sharjah | 06 | +971 6 |
| Al Ain | 03 | +971 3 |
What it costs
There are three common ways to call, and the costs work differently:
- Your UK phone plan. Calls abroad usually aren't part of your monthly minutes and are charged per minute at your provider's international rate, unless you buy an international add-on. Check your provider's price list before a long call.
- Internet calling apps. Free when both of you have the same app and a good data connection, but they don't help when the person you're calling isn't online.
- Browser calling with DanaTel. You call from your browser and they answer their normal phone. You pay a per-minute rate shown before you dial, billed in 6-second steps, and unanswered calls are free.
When to call
The UAE is 4 hours ahead in the UK winter and 3 hours ahead in the UK summer. A call at 7pm UK time reaches the UAE at 11pm in winter (10pm in summer).
Good to know
All seven emirates share the +971 country code. UAE mobile numbers have 9 digits after +971 and start with 5.
Ready to call? See DanaTel's rate for the UAE, or create a free account and top up from £5.