UAE Country Code (+971): How to Call Dubai & Abu Dhabi
The UAE country code is +971. Learn how to call Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah from abroad, area codes, mobile prefixes (050/052/054/055/056/058), and why WhatsApp calling is blocked inside the UAE.
UAE Country Code (+971)
How to Call Dubai & Abu Dhabi
The UAE country code is +971. To call the United Arab Emirates from abroad, dial your exit code, then 971, then the area code without its leading 0, then the local number. From the US that means 011 + 971 followed by the rest of the number β for example, a Dubai landline 04 123 4567 becomes 011-971-4-123-4567. Mobile numbers (050, 052, 054, 055, 056, 058) follow the same rule: drop the leading 0 after +971.
Quick Reference
Country Code: +971
Exit Code (from the UAE): 00
Trunk Prefix (domestic): 0
Time Zone: GST (UTC+4), no DST
Emergency: 999 (Police), 998 (Ambulance), 997 (Fire)
Carriers:e& (Etisalat), du
1How to Call the UAE from Abroad
To call the UAE from abroad, dial your country's exit code, then 971, then the area code without its leading 0, then the local number. From the US and Canada the exit code is 011; from the UK, Europe and most of the world it is 00.
Calling Format (from the US):
Landline Example (Dubai):
Local: 04 123 4567
From the US: 011-971-4-123-4567
Mobile Example:
Local: 050 123 4567
From the US: 011-971-50-123-4567
β οΈ Always drop the leading "0" from UAE area codes and mobile prefixes when calling internationally. The 0 is only used for dialing within the UAE.
2UAE Area Codes & Number Format
UAE landlines use a single-digit area code per emirate (written with a leading 0 for domestic dialing) followed by a 7-digit local number. Drop the leading 0 when calling from abroad, so Dubai's 04 becomes +971 4. Mobile numbers are 9 digits after +971 and start with 5.
Landline Area Codes by Emirate
| Abu Dhabi | 02 |
| Al Ain | 03 |
| Dubai | 04 |
| Sharjah / Ajman / Umm al-Quwain | 06 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 07 |
| Fujairah | 09 |
Number Format Cheat Sheet
- Landline: +971 + area code (1 digit) + 7-digit number
e.g. +971 4 123 4567 (Dubai) - Mobile: +971 + 5X + 7-digit number
e.g. +971 50 123 4567 - Domestic landline: 0 + area code + number
e.g. 04 123 4567 - Domestic mobile: 05X + 7-digit number
e.g. 050 123 4567
3UAE Mobile Carriers & Prefixes
UAE mobile numbers all start with 05domestically (the 5 follows +971 when dialed internationally). Two licensed operators run the network: e& (formerly Etisalat) and du. The prefix does not always reveal the carrier because numbers can be ported, but the common ranges are:
e& (Etisalat)
The UAE's largest operator, nationwide 5G coverage.
Common prefixes: 050, 054, 056
du
Second national operator, strong urban 5G.
Common prefixes: 052, 055, 058
Mobile prefixes in use: 050, 052, 054, 055, 056 and 058. Internationally these become 50, 52, 54, 55, 56 and 58 after +971 β for example a 055 number is dialed as +971 55 XXX XXXX.
4Calling the UAE vs. App Calling Inside the UAE
There are two very different situations people confuse, so let's be precise. Calling a +971 number from another country works normally. App-to-app voice and video calling from inside the UAE is restricted. Here is the difference.
β Calling a UAE number from abroad
A standard international phone call placed from another country to a +971 landline or mobile terminates on the UAE phone network and rings the recipient like any other call. This is a normal PSTN call, not an app-to-app internet call, so the UAE's app restrictions do not apply to it. You dial the number with +971 and it connects.
β οΈ Using consumer VoIP apps inside the UAE
For people insidethe UAE, the telecom regulator (TDRA) permits only licensed VoIP apps. The voice and video calling features of WhatsApp, Skype, FaceTime and Messenger are blocked on UAE networks. Licensed apps such as Botim and the operators' own paid calling services are allowed. This affects app calls made from the UAE β not inbound international calls to a +971 number.
Where BubblyPhone fits: If you are abroad and want to reach someone on a UAE number, BubblyPhone lets you place a normal international call to that +971 number from your browser or phone. That is a legitimate international call that connects on the UAE network. BubblyPhone does not change or get around any restriction on app calling inside the UAE β if you are physically in the UAE, you should use a TDRA-licensed app such as Botim for app-to-app calls.
5Costs & Practical Tips for Calling the UAE
Calling the UAE from abroad costs the most on a traditional carrier's pay-per-minute international rate and the least over a low-cost VoIP service. A few things to keep in mind:
π’ Drop the Zero
UAE numbers carry a leading 0 domestically β remove it after +971 when calling from abroad (04 β +971 4, 050 β +971 50).
π± Mobiles Start With 5
Every UAE mobile number begins with 05 domestically and 5 after +971. If a number does not start with 5, it is a landline.
π Time Zone
The UAE is on GST (UTC+4) with no daylight saving. That is 9 hours ahead of New York (EST) and 4 hours ahead of London (GMT).
π Business Hours
The UAE work week runs Monday to Friday, with a shorter day on Friday. Many offices open by 8β9 AM GST.
πΈ Skip Carrier Roaming Rates
Traditional carriers can charge well over $1/min to the UAE. A low-cost VoIP call is usually a fraction of that.
π Not Sure of a Code?
Use our country code lookup to confirm +971 or any other dialing code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Call the UAE?
Place a normal international call to any +971 number from your browser with BubblyPhone β no contracts, no surprise carrier fees.