HMRC does not publish one international switchboard. Open the GOV.UK contact page for the issue you have and use the Outside UK number on that page. The UK 0300 on the same page is the domestic line. UK 0800/0808 freephone numbers are built for callers inside the UK and often will not connect from abroad.
Number tables and dial buttons live on the HMRC from abroad landing page.
Which number matches the task
Verify every number on the official GOV.UK contact page for that service before you call. The rows below were on those pages on 2026-09-09.
| Issue | Outside UK number | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Self Assessment general enquiries | Self Assessment contacts | |
| Income Tax / PAYE, and non-UK residents Income Tax / CGT | Income Tax enquiries and non-UK residents | |
| National Insurance Class 1, 2 and 3 | National Insurance enquiries | |
| VAT general enquiries | VAT contacts | |
| Other HMRC teams | Varies by topic | HMRC contacts hub |
Class 4 National Insurance on the same National Insurance page lists a UK 0300 200 3310 and does not print an Outside UK number in that subsection. Do not invent one.
Opening hours
The four service pages above list Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. UK time, closed on bank holidays. UK time is GMT (UTC+0) or BST (UTC+1). Recheck the contact page on the day you call.
The VAT page also says phone lines are less busy between 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. That sentence is on the VAT page only. It is not a measured wait for Self Assessment or PAYE.
What to have ready
- ›National Insurance number, if you have one (HMRC will not read it out over the phone; posted confirmation can take up to 10 working days)
- ›Unique Taxpayer Reference for Self Assessment
- ›VAT registration number and postcode for VAT
- ›Tax year and any letter or notice reference
- ›For PAYE / P800 issues: P60 or P45 if you have them
Some helplines use speech recognition and check telephone security against the Personal Tax Account or business tax account. Update those details before you call if you can.
Before you call
Many tasks do not need a phone call. Start with the Personal Tax Account, the HMRC app, and the digital assistant on the relevant contact page. Non-UK residents can send a signed-in enquiry about Income Tax, Capital Gains, UK allowances, Double Taxation Agreements, or general residence.
Calling is for issues those channels cannot finish.
Why UK freephone numbers fail abroad
UK 0800 / 0808 freephone numbers are built for domestic callers. From abroad they often will not connect. Letters that show only an 0800 number are incomplete for international callers. Look up the Outside UK line on GOV.UK.
0300 national-rate numbers are the domestic contact on those pages. From abroad, use the printed Outside UK number rather than assuming the 0300 is the published overseas contact.
How to call HMRC cheaply from abroad
Those Outside UK numbers are UK geographic lines. A call from abroad is paid on your network or on a browser-to-phone service. GOV.UK does not promise a free international call.
| Method | Good for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| UK plan that already includes UK geographic calls | Anyone who already has one | 0800 may still fail |
| International mobile call to +44 | Short calls when no better option exists | Cost varies by plan |
| Browser-to-phone | Occasional calls without a UK-inclusive plan | Needs internet; check the live UK rate on rates |
Listed WorldDial rates checked on 13 September 2026: $0.03/min to UK landlines, in USD. Check the current rate for your number on rates before adding credit. If your own plan is already cheap to that destination, use it.
Related: call UK, government offices from abroad, how it works.
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FAQs
What is HMRC's international phone number?
It depends on the issue. Self Assessment general enquiries currently publish +44 161 931 9070. Income Tax / PAYE and non-UK residents currently publish +44 135 535 9022. Confirm on GOV.UK before dialing.
Can I call HMRC toll-free from abroad?
GOV.UK does not publish an international toll-free HMRC line. UK freephone lines are for domestic use. Your carrier or WorldDial may still charge for the Outside UK numbers.
What are HMRC's opening hours?
Check the specific GOV.UK contact page. The four main lines above listed Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. UK time, closed bank holidays, on 2026-09-09.
What should I try before calling?
The Personal Tax Account, HMRC app, and digital assistant. Call when the online path cannot complete the task.