Key takeaways
0800 and 0808 numbers are freephone numbers -- free to call from all UK mobiles and landlines since 1 July 2015, following an Ofcom rule change.
Before July 2015, calling 0800 from a mobile could cost up to 40 pence per minute. Ofcom changed this so the cost falls entirely on the organisation running the number, not the caller.
0800 and 0808 are both freephone ranges -- free at any time of day from any standard UK mobile or landline.
Calling 0800 from abroad is not free. The freephone designation covers calls from UK networks only. International rates apply when calling from a foreign network.
Some VOIP apps and virtual networks may still charge for 0800 calls. Check your specific provider's terms if you are not on a standard UK mobile or landline contract.
Reviewed: June 2026Key facts
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The 2015 Ofcom rule change
Before 1 July 2015, calling an 0800 number from a UK mobile was not free. Mobile networks could charge their own rates for freephone calls -- rates that could reach 40 pence per minute -- even though the same calls were free from landlines. People who relied on mobiles as their primary phone, often those on lower incomes, paid more to call the same services.
Ofcom addressed this through changes to the National Telephone Numbering Plan effective 1 July 2015. Under the new rules, the cost of freephone calls is borne entirely by the organisation running the 0800 or 0808 number. Callers pay nothing from any UK network.
Since 1 July 2015, calling 0800 or 0808 from any standard UK mobile or landline is completely free. If you are being charged for these calls, contact your provider -- it is a billing error.
0800 vs 0808 -- the difference
| Number range | Freephone status | Free from mobile? | Free from landline? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0800 | Freephone (Ofcom) | Yes -- since Jul 2015 | Yes -- always free |
| 0808 | Freephone (Ofcom) | Yes -- since Jul 2015 | Yes -- always free |
| 0844 | Non-geographic service | No -- charges apply | No -- charges apply |
| 0845 | Non-geographic service | No -- charges apply | No -- charges apply |
| 0870 | Non-geographic service | No -- charges apply | No -- charges apply |
| 03xx | Non-geographic (same as 01/02) | Yes -- in bundle | Yes -- in bundle |
0800 and 0808 are both freephone ranges. 0808 was introduced as additional freephone capacity when the 0800 range became heavily subscribed. Many NHS helplines, mental health support services and domestic abuse helplines use 0808 numbers. The caller experience is identical -- both are free from any UK phone.
Calling 0800 from abroad
The freephone designation only applies to calls from UK mobile and landline networks. Calling an 0800 number from a foreign network -- using a foreign SIM, calling from a landline in another country, or using a VOIP app linked to a non-UK account -- means international rates apply. The organisation running the 0800 number does not bear the cost of international calls.
If you need to call a UK 0800 number from abroad: use a UK SIM in roaming mode (check whether your provider includes 0800 calls when roaming -- some do not), use a VOIP app that routes through UK infrastructure, or find a geographic (01/02) alternative number for the same organisation.
0800 from a UK payphone
Since the 2015 rule change, calls to 0800 and 0808 from UK payphones are free. BT payphones connect 0800 calls at no charge to the caller.
When you might still be charged
VOIP apps and virtual networks: some internet-based calling services, VOIP apps and mobile virtual network operators with unusual tariff structures may not follow standard UK freephone rules. If you make calls through a VOIP app or a business telephony system, check the specific terms regarding 0800 calls.
Roaming abroad: if you are using your UK mobile abroad in roaming mode and call an 0800 number, your network may charge you depending on your roaming agreement. Some roaming packages include 0800 calls; others do not. Check with your provider before calling.
Who uses 0800 numbers
0800 numbers are used by businesses, government departments and charities that want to provide free contact. Common uses include customer service lines, sales enquiry lines, helplines and emergency support. NHS England, Citizens Advice, Action Fraud, HMRC and many large retailers use 0800 numbers. The Samaritans (116 123) and similar support services use the free 116 range, which is separately designated.
116 numbers -- another free range
Alongside 0800 and 0808, the 116 range is designated for free harmonised European services. These are always free including from pay-as-you-go SIMs with no credit. UK examples: 116 123 (Samaritans), 116 006 (Victim Support), 116 000 (Missing Children Hotline). No charges ever apply to 116 calls from a UK phone.
Related guides
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Kael Tripton Ltd is not regulated by the FCA and does not provide financial advice. Telecoms information is sourced from Ofcom, the UK communications regulator. Always verify current tariffs and eligibility directly with providers and at ofcom.org.uk.
Frequently asked questions
Are 0800 numbers free from a mobile in the UK?
Yes. Since 1 July 2015, calls to 0800 and 0808 numbers are free from all UK mobiles and landlines. Ofcom changed the rules so the cost is borne entirely by the organisation running the number, not the caller.
What is the difference between 0800 and 0808?
Both are freephone ranges -- free from all UK mobiles and landlines since July 2015. 0808 was introduced as additional freephone capacity when the 0800 range became heavily subscribed. There is no difference in cost or call quality for the caller.
Can I call 0800 numbers for free when roaming abroad?
Not always. The freephone designation covers calls from UK networks in the UK. If you are abroad using your UK mobile in roaming mode, your network may charge you for 0800 calls depending on your roaming agreement. Check your provider's specific roaming terms before calling.
Are 0800 numbers always free -- including at weekends?
Yes. There is no time-of-day variation. 0800 and 0808 numbers are free from UK mobiles and landlines 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The organisation running the number may not have its service active outside business hours, but the call itself is free at all times.
Why was calling 0800 from a mobile not free before 2015?
Before Ofcom's July 2015 rule change, mobile networks were not required to pass the freephone designation through to their customers. They could charge their own rates for 0800 calls. The 2015 change aligned mobile and landline treatment, making 0800 genuinely free from all UK phones.
Do 0800 calls count towards my mobile bundle minutes?
0800 and 0808 calls are free and separate from your bundle minutes -- they do not count against your inclusive minutes and will not reduce your allowance. You will not be charged and they will not affect your remaining bundle.
What if I am charged for calling an 0800 number?
Contact your provider and request a refund. Being charged for calling an 0800 or 0808 number from a UK mobile or landline after July 2015 is a billing error. If the provider does not resolve it, escalate to the Communications Ombudsman or CISAS, the two Ofcom-approved ADR schemes.
Is 116 123 (Samaritans) free to call?
Yes. 116 123 is a harmonised European freephone number. It is free to call from any UK mobile or landline including pay-as-you-go SIMs with no credit remaining. Calls to 116 numbers are always free from UK phones.
