South Africa's country code is +27. From the UK, dial +27 then the national significant number without the domestic leading 0. A Johannesburg landline printed as 011 XXX XXXX is +27 11 XXX XXXX. A South African mobile printed as 08X XXX XXXX is +27 8X XXX XXXX. Do not keep the trunk 0: +27 011 is a misdial.
How to dial
Use one of these origin formats:
- ›+27 plus the number with the leading 0 dropped (usual on a mobile)
- ›00 27 plus the same digits from a UK landline that still needs the international access prefix
Ofcom's National Telephone Numbering Plan designates 00 as access to international telephone numbers from the UK. + is a substitute on many mobiles. Do not assume every device accepts the same input.
More numbers: call South Africa. Area codes: South Africa calling codes.
The ITU E.164 list assigns 27 to South Africa. ICASA describes South African numbers as 10 digits long (with listed exceptions for machine-related numbers and short codes) and gives 010 and 011 as Johannesburg geographic examples. A 2007 ICASA notice required full 10-digit local dialling from 16 January 2007. The leading 0 is the domestic trunk prefix, not part of the internationally dialled number. A prefix is a format hint, not proof of the current network (number portability is in force).
Cost
A call from the UK to South Africa is an international call from home. That is not the same as roaming while you are in South Africa.
EE's call-abroad page sells International Pass and International Extra add-ons for calls from the UK. Inclusive minutes, if any, are plan-specific. Check whether South Africa is named on the destination list.
Listed WorldDial rates checked on 13 September 2026: $0.62/min to landlines and $0.50/min to mobiles, in USD. On that snapshot the mobile rate was cheaper than the landline rate. Calls are billed in whole minutes, rounded up. Check the current rate for your number on rates before adding credit.
If South Africa is already in your UK calling allowance, use your handset. If it is not, you can place the call in the browser. How calling works: how it works.
When 0800 is the wrong number
South African 0800 sits in domestic non-geographic numbering. Do not assume a domestic toll-free number will work from the UK. Use the number the organisation publishes for international callers.
FNB contacts for overseas callers are on FNB South Africa from abroad.
Time difference
South Africa uses SAST (UTC+2) year-round. Versus the UK that is usually two hours ahead in winter and one hour ahead in summer (UK BST). Use the office hours on the page you are calling. A general country guide cannot predict queue length.
Format mistakes to avoid
- ›Keeping the domestic 0 (+27 11, not +27 011)
- ›Assuming an 0800 number will work from the UK
- ›Assuming 011 is the only Johannesburg geographic range (ICASA also lists 010)
Calling South Africa?
See the live rate, enter the number in international format, and call from your browser.
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FAQs
What is the international dialing code for South Africa?
+27. From the UK, dial +27 or 00 27, then the South African number with the leading 0 dropped.
Do I drop a leading 0 for South Africa?
Yes. The domestic 0 is a trunk prefix. A Johannesburg line printed 011 … is +27 11 ….
What does WorldDial charge to South Africa?
Listed WorldDial rates checked on 13 September 2026: $0.62/min to landlines and $0.50/min to mobiles, in USD. Check rates for the number you will dial.