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Formula
From the UK: 00 (or +) → 971 → UAE number without the leading 0.
| Type | Domestic in UAE | Save as (portable) | Dial from UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landline (Dubai) | 04 XXX XXXX | +971 4 XXX XXXX | 00 971 4 XXX XXXX |
| Mobile | 05X XXX XXXX | +971 5X XXX XXXX | 00 971 5X XXX XXXX |
X characters are placeholders, not a private callable number. Save +971 in contacts; use 00 only for all-digit UK access.
Dial it step by step
- 1
Exit the UK network. On a mobile or modern contact book, start with +. On a UK landline, PBX, or digit-only service, dial 00.
- 2
Add the UAE country calling code: 971.
- 3
Add the national significant number (NSN). Take the domestic UAE number and remove the leading trunk prefix 0. Keep the area digit (Dubai 4) or the mobile prefix (5X).
Portable contact format: + 971 + NSN
Digits-only call from UK: 00 + 971 + NSN
Mobile and landline rules
- Mobile: domestic 05X… becomes +971 5X….
- Geographic landline: Dubai 04… becomes +971 4…; Abu Dhabi 02… becomes +971 2….
- Number portability: a mobile prefix does not reliably identify the network.
See the United Arab Emirates calling-code reference and the international dialing format guide.
Worked examples
Domestic → portable international → digits-only from United Kingdom. All subscriber digits shown as X are placeholders.
| Type | Domestic in UAE | Save as (portable) | Dial from UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai landline | 04 XXX XXXX | +971 4 XXX XXXX | 00 971 4 XXX XXXX |
| Abu Dhabi landline | 02 XXX XXXX | +971 2 XXX XXXX | 00 971 2 XXX XXXX |
| Sharjah landline | 06 XXX XXXX | +971 6 XXX XXXX | 00 971 6 XXX XXXX |
| Ras Al Khaimah landline | 07 XXX XXXX | +971 7 XXX XXXX | 00 971 7 XXX XXXX |
| UAE mobile | 05X XXX XXXX | +971 5X XXX XXXX | 00 971 5X XXX XXXX |
Common mistakes on this route
- Keeping the UAE domestic 0 after 971. Wrong: 00 971 04… or +971 05X…. Correct: 00 971 4… / +971 5X….
- Leaving out the area digit. After dropping the 0, the emirate digit (Dubai 4, Abu Dhabi 2) is part of the number. Dial it before the subscriber digits.
- Saving 00 in the contact. Store +971 + NSN so the number works from any country. See common formatting errors.
Quick UAE area codes (from the UK)
| City / area | Domestic area code | After +971 / 00 971 |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | 02 | 2 |
| Al Ain | 03 | 3 |
| Dubai | 04 | 4 |
| Sharjah / Ajman / Umm Al Quwain | 06 | 6 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 07 | 7 |
| Fujairah | 09 | 9 |
International form already has the leading 0 removed. Dial 00 971 (or +971), then the code, then the subscriber digits. Starter set only, not a full inventory. Full rules and mobile ranges: United Arab Emirates (+971).
Time difference (practical)
The UAE uses Gulf Standard Time, UTC+4, with no daylight saving time. The UK is UTC+0 (GMT) in winter and UTC+1 (BST) in summer, so the UAE is 4 hours ahead in winter and 3 hours ahead in summer. Example: 09:00 London = 13:00 Dubai in winter, 12:00 in summer.
How the international format is built
Under ITU-T E.164, the international number is the country code plus national significant number, with a maximum of 15 digits. The + symbol and spacing are access/display notation rather than E.164 digits.
Portable
+ 971 + NSN
Digits-only from UK
00 + 971 + NSN
Related routes and references
FAQ
What is the UAE country code from the UK?
971. Dial 00 or +, then 971 and the UAE number without the leading domestic 0.
Do I dial 00 or +?
Use + on a mobile or saved contact when supported. Use 00 on a UK landline or digit-only path. After that, the destination is the same: 971 + NSN.
Why drop the zero?
The leading 0 is a UAE domestic trunk prefix, not part of the national significant number after country code 971. Keeping it gives 00 971 0…, which is wrong.
How do I dial a UAE mobile from the UK?
Drop the 0 from 05X XXX XXXX, then dial 00 971 5X XXX XXXX or +971 5X XXX XXXX.
How do I dial a Dubai landline from the UK?
Drop the 0 from 04 XXX XXXX, then dial 00 971 4 XXX XXXX or +971 4 XXX XXXX.
Standards and numbering-plan sources
- ITU-T E.164: The international public telecommunication numbering planInternational Telecommunication Union. Verified 2026-07-19.
- ITU-T E.123: Notation for national and international telephone numbersInternational Telecommunication Union. Verified 2026-07-19.
- The National Telephone Numbering PlanOfcom. Verified 2026-07-19.
- National numbering plan: United KingdomInternational Telecommunication Union. Verified 2026-07-19.
- National numbering plan: United Arab EmiratesInternational Telecommunication Union. Verified 2026-07-19.
See our editorial and sourcing methodology.