Numbers on the Irish telephone numbering plan are regulated and assigned to operators by ComReg.

Overview

Telephone numbers in Ireland are part of an open numbering plan that allows variations in number length. The Irish format is similar to systems used in many parts of Europe, notably the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Belgium and France, where geographical numbers are organised using a logic of large regional prefixes, which are then further subdivided into smaller regions. It differs from UK numbering, which originated as alphanumeric codes based on town names. Irish Mobile and non–geographic numbers are fixed length and do not support local dialling. The trunk prefix is used to access numbers outside the local area and for all mobile calls. This is followed by an area code, referred to as a National Dialling Code (NDC), the first digit of which indicates the geographical area or type of service (e.g. mobile). Calls made from mobile phones and some VoIP systems always require the full area code and phone number. In common with most European countries, the trunk prefix must be omitted when calling Irish numbers from abroad.

General structure of Irish numbering

Irish area codes vary in length, between one and three digits (excluding the leading 0), and subscribers' numbers are between five and seven digits. As optional local dialling is facilitated, Irish geographic numbers cannot begin with 0 (trunk prefix), 1 (special number prefix) or 999 (emergency services). However, mobile numbers use the full range of digits, as local dialling is not supported on mobile networks, and the area code must always be dialled. A migration to a standard format,, is in progress; however, to avoid disruption, this process is only being carried out as needed, where existing area codes and local numbering systems have reached full capacity. There is currently no plan to move to a closed numbering system.

Number formats

Irish geographic numbers vary in length from area to area, but follow standard formats within each area code. The area code, or prefix, is normally separated by a space, or less commonly, may be displayed in parentheses (brackets). Numbers are usually grouped into easy to read clusters, separated by spaces or hyphens for ease of use. The use of spaces is recommended by ComReg for ease of compatibility with online services, such as linking to a phone number in a mobile browser, copying and pasting into mobile diallers etc Other characters, such as or are not used as separators. Area codes / prefixes are always separated from the subscriber number. Merging or reformatting these tends to cause confusion or make numbers look unfamiliar. While formats vary, numbers are usually printed (e.g. in telephone directories) as follows: Geographic: Non-geographic Mobile Mobile M2M (Machine to Machine) Alphanumeric dialling, using letters as mnemonics for advertising etc is supported, but is rarely used.

Geographical numbering

Irish geographical numbering is structured on a regional basis and follows a logical hierarchy. These directory areas correspond approximately to the following geographical regions: The Midlands is covered by several regional codes. Except for the area, each area is further subdivided into smaller areas (NDCs). Usually, the main city or town in the area is e.g. (Cork), (Limerick), (Galway).

Regional overview

ComReg maintains a map of area codes here.

Mobile services

Mobile phone numbers start with the prefix and are part of a closed numbering plan, which means that a mobile phone number must have 10 digits. Calls to landlines and other mobiles require the area code on a mobile phone. New numbers are assigned on prefixes and ranges managed by a specific operator. However, as full mobile number portability has been in operation since 2003, it is no longer possible to reliably identify which network a particular number is on. For example, a newly assigned Three number would begin with, but may have been ported to another operator in the meantime.

Mobile network operators (MNOs)

Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs)

M2M (Machine to Machine) Communication

Direct to voicemail number

Mobile phone numbers also have their own voicemail number. To access this, the number should be put after the prefix. For example, the mobile number has the voicemail number. On some networks, when the direct to voicemail number is called, the voicemail greeting for that network is played (e.g. Vodafone, eir Mobile), while others request a phone number followed by the voicemail greeting for that number (e.g. Three). Users can press the hash key to gain access to the voicemail box.

Calls to Northern Ireland

Although Northern Ireland is part of the UK numbering plan, a special arrangement exists for calling Northern Irish landlines from the Republic of Ireland. Calls to Northern Ireland can be dialled using the prefix or by dialling the number in the full international format. Most Irish operators treat calls to Northern Ireland at national or even local rates. Similar charging arrangements apply when calling the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland. For example, to reach Belfast landline, subscribers can dial either or. Northern Ireland mobile phones use the same mobile numbering and networks as other parts of the UK – calls must be dialled using the format.

International calls

In common with all EU countries, the international access code is. Numbers should be dialled as follows:. All mobile phones and some VoIP services also support the international E.164 number format, so a may be optionally used instead of.

Reserved numbers

Special numbers

Speed dial short numbers to contact carriers

Operator services

General operator assistance no longer exists in Ireland.

Emergency services

The emergency number for Ireland is. However, the code also accesses the emergency operator. This code is harmonised across the EU. Either can be dialled.

Services provided

SMS emergency service

can also be contacted by SMS. While the service is open to all users, it is primarily aimed at the deaf community. Pre-registration used to be required. Further information can be found at Sending a text to 112.

Premium rate numbers

Premium rate voice

Irish premium rate telephone numbers start with and are read in two-digit blocks e.g. is "fifteen fifty". The rates given below are from ComReg and are indicative only. One must check with their specific telephone service provider for exact rates.

Premium rate SMS

A special code is used for free–of–charge SMS. Premium rate services in Ireland are regulated by ComReg.

Non–geographic numbers (Freephone & Standard rate)

Irish non-geographic numbers consist of two national prefixes and the international freephone service. Where high volume 'bursty traffic' is anticipated, such as on-air radio competition lines, the first two digits of the phone number are always. For example: or. This allows the telephone network to manage traffic during number analysis, even before the call is routed. Ireland's non-geographic numbers and pricing structures were simplified and old shared-cost prefixes were withdrawn on 1 January 2022. These changes mean that calls to non-geographic numbers are either freephone, or always included in call bundles, ensuring consumers are not confused by out of bundle, or other unusual charges. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, several numbers in the and ranges will remain in service until 2023. This is to avoid disruption to essential health services during a time of high volumes of calls. These will remain in service until 30 November 2023, alongside new numbers that have replaced them. Advertising of these numbers will cease. Calls to these numbers will be charged on the same basis as calls to landlines or and included in call bundles. Freephone numbers are free to call from mobile handsets; however, the recipient can elect to refuse mobile–originated calls or choose to accept calls only from predefined geographical region(s). NB: can only be dialled from within Ireland. Numbers should never be printed or presented in the international format as these clash with working Dublin landline numbers in the area. Alternative geographic numbers, or an number should be used instead, if international access is required. Following a 2019 review of non–geographic numbers Comreg decided to withdraw and close the, and number ranges by 1 January 2022. During the transition period, these ranges were geo–rated (charged as if they are geographical numbers). From August 2019, various telecoms providers announced price changes which took effect on, or just before, 1 December 2019, including Virgin Media Business, in2tel, Virgin Media, eir, Tesco Mobile, Three, Digiweb, Pure Telecom, 48 months, Sky and NUACOM From 1 January 2022 callers to the withdrawn prefixes receive recorded announcements.

Internet access numbers

Carrier selection (per call)

Carrier preselect is normally used where the exchange automatically uses the customer's preferred provider(s).

Network engineering codes

Line information codes

These services give the user more information about their phone line (applicable only to lines provided using the OpenEir access network.)

Check phone number associated with line / automatic number announcement circuit (ANAC)

Check preset carrier

Check which carrier a subscriber is using for each category of call:

Voicemail

Call management services / supplementary service codes

Special short codes are used to control various supplementary services offered by digital local exchanges. These services were first introduced as PhonePlus in 1981, on the first generation of Alcatel E10 and Ericsson AXE digital exchanges used in Ireland, and were rolled out nationally throughout the 1980s. These services are available on all Irish PSTN lines, regardless of operator. There is a more expansive range of services available, but these are the most commonly used. Different codes apply on cable telephony lines, such as those provided by Virgin Media Ireland and on VoIP providers.

PSTN lines and some ISDN services

Caller ID services

Call waiting

Answering call waiting

Conference/three–way calling

Call hold / transfer to another extension

Call forwarding (unconditional)

When this service is active, the dial tone changes to a two–frequency 'siren' tone.

Alarm / reminder call

Most exchanges confirm setup with a verbal announcement; however, some exchanges may use a ringing tone to indicate successful service setup and a busy tone to indicate an error/invalid code.

Services on Virgin Media Ireland cable network

(Codes are unique to Virgin Media Ireland and do not follow ETSI guidelines)

Caller ID services

Call forwarding

Call forwarding (unconditional)

Forwarding to voicemail

Call waiting

Answering call waiting

Anonymous call rejection

Redial last number called

The subscriber will either hear a tone or a voice message to confirm services have been set up or deactivated.

Mobiles

Number changes

Several major number changes have occurred since 1990. The telephone number changes in Dublin and Cork took several years to complete, as they were busier area codes with few available lead digits. Other number changes took place in just one step, with all numbers being changed simultaneously. To minimise disruption simultaneous working was enabled, allowing old numbers to remain mapped and active for a run-in period of one year. Caller ID only displayed the new numbers. This was followed by recorded announcements which remained active for at least a year, advising callers of the number change. Eventually this would be replaced by a dialling error message.

1990–1994

Dublin (01) changes to 7-digits.

1998–2000

Cork (021) changes to 7 digits.

2002–2003

2005–2006

2008–2009

Mobile numbering

Possible future changes

All local numbers with the area code are currently 7–digits, but may change to 8–digits in the future, although breaking the city into separate area codes would match the rest of the national system. A review and public consultation on the future of Ireland's numbering plan was undertaken.

Historical numbering

Defunct non-geographic codes

All of the above were withdrawn on 1 January 2022.

Defunct access codes

Defunct operator services

A range of numbers from, and were once used for various Telecom Éireann customer service and account service lines.

Defunct information services

Historical Northern Ireland access codes

Belfast could previously be reached by dialling in place of the UK area code.

Historical Great Britain access codes

Until the early 1990s, the numbering range was originally used for calls to Great Britain, including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, with the Irish prefix replacing the UK trunk code. Calls to British cities using the director telephone system were also possible using shorter codes: was replaced with and when was split into the area codes and in 1990. Use of for this purpose was discontinued in 1993, when the international access code changed from to , with calls to Great Britain (but not Northern Ireland) requiring the country code and the area code in full.