How to call the UAE
Dialling codes, number formats for mobiles and landlines, the time zone and the ways to call the UAE.
Updated 15 October 2026
To call the UAE from another country, put three things in front of the local number: an international prefix, the UAE's country code (+971) and the number without its first 0.
The quick version
- From a mobile: type + (hold down 0 on most keypads), then 971, then the number without its first 0: +971 50 XXX XXXX. This works from any country.
- From a landline: dial your country's international access code instead of the +. It's 00 in most countries, for example 00 971 50 XXX XXXX, and 011 in the US and Canada.
- 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 another country. 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 abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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 on UTC+4 all year: it doesn't change its clocks. If your country moves its clocks for summer, the time difference changes by an hour twice a year. See what time it is in the UAE now, and how far ahead or behind you it is.
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.