How to Get a Virtual Phone Number in The UK in 5 Steps

To get a virtual phone number in the UK, pick a number type (01 or 02 geographic, 03 national, 0800 freephone, or 07 mobile), choose a provider, verify your business, then set up call routing and connect your CRM. Geographic numbers need a UK business address.

With the analogue phone network switching off on 31 January 2027, a virtual number keeps your business reachable without a copper line. With Aircall, every plan includes a local or freephone number, extra numbers cost £5 a month, and AI Voice Agents can answer your number 24/7.

How do you get a virtual phone number in the UK?

You can get a UK business virtual number in five steps:

1. Choose your UK number type: geographic, national, freephone, or mobile.

2. Choose a provider: compare UK coverage, integrations, AI features, and price.

3. Verify your business: UK geographic numbers need a UK business address.

4. Set up routing and call answering: phone menus, business hours, ring groups, and AI.

5. Connect your CRM and helpdesk: so every call logs automatically.

Choose your virtual number

Step 1: Choose your UK number type

The first digits of a UK number tell callers what kind of business you are and what the call will cost them.

Avoid 084 and 087 numbers for customer service. UK consumer law limits what existing customers can be charged to call you about a contract, and callers see these numbers as costly.

Step 2: Choose a provider

Look past the price of the number itself. For UK teams, check:

• UK number coverage: geographic, 03, freephone, and mobile numbers from one account.

• Integrations: native connections to your CRM and helpdesk.

• AI features: call transcription, summaries, and an AI agent that answers when nobody's free.

• International numbers: if you sell into Europe or beyond.

Compare UK options in the provider table further down this page.

Step 3: Verify your business

UK numbers come with verification requirements that depend on the number type. With Aircall:

You'll also need your business registration number, website, and an authorised representative's name, email, and phone number. See the full country requirements list.

Step 4: Set up routing and call answering

This is where a virtual number becomes a phone system. Set up:

• Phone menus (IVR) to send callers to the right team.

• Business hours so after-hours calls go to voicemail or AI.

• Ring groups so several people can answer the same number.

• AI call answering so an AI receptionist picks up overflow and after-hours calls, answers common questions, and passes complex calls to your team with full context.

Step 5: Connect your CRM and helpdesk

Connect your number to your tools so calls, recordings, and notes log to the right record, and your team sees who's calling before they answer. Aircall connects natively with HubSpot, Salesforce, Zendesk, and 250+ other integrations.

What is a virtual phone number?

A virtual phone number is a phone number that runs over the internet instead of a copper phone line or SIM card. It's tied to an online account, not a device, so your team can make and take calls from a laptop, mobile app, or desk phone, wherever they are. Callers dial it like any other UK number.

Why are UK businesses moving to virtual numbers now?

The UK's analogue phone network (PSTN) is being switched off on 31 January 2027. New analogue lines stopped being sold in September 2023, and every business still on a traditional landline has to move to a digital service.

A virtual number already runs over the internet, so the switch-off doesn't affect it. Moving now also means:

• No new hardware: calls run on laptops and mobiles.

• Hybrid work: the same number rings wherever your team works.

• Keep your number: you can usually port your existing BT or other landline number.

How much does a virtual phone number cost in the UK?

Free virtual number apps are mostly built for the US, so UK business numbers usually come with a paid phone system plan priced per user. With Aircall:

• Plans: from £25 per licence per month, billed annually, with a 3-user minimum.

• Numbers: every plan includes one local or freephone number, and each extra number costs £5 a month.

• Inbound calls: free, except calls to freephone numbers, which the business pays for.

• AI Voice Agents: 50 free minutes every month, then £0.22 per minute.

See current UK pricing.

Which providers offer UK virtual phone numbers?

Get a UK Virtual Number with Aircall

What else should UK businesses consider?

• Outbound sales calls: screen numbers against the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and Corporate TPS before making marketing calls.

• Caller ID: show a valid UK number your customers can call back, which also helps your calls get answered.

• Emergency calls: register an accurate emergency address for each number.

• Data protection: choose a GDPR-compliant provider and check where call recordings are stored.

Can you get international numbers from the UK?

Yes. If you sell into Europe, the US, or beyond, you can add international numbers in 100+ countries to the same Aircall account, so customers abroad call a local number and your UK team answers.

How do you get a UK virtual number with Aircall?

Buy a new number

1. Go to Aircall Dashboard > Numbers.

2. Select the United Kingdom and your number type.

3. Upload your verification documents.

4. Assign the number to a team or user.

5. Start making and taking calls.

Port your existing number

If customers already know your number, port it to Aircall and keep it. Porting usually takes a few weeks, depending on your current provider. Keep your old service active until the port completes.

Get a UK number that answers for you

Aircall gives your team a business phone system with UK and international numbers, 250+ integrations, and AI Voice Agents that answer when nobody's free. Calls, SMS, and WhatsApp can all run through the same number with AI Messaging Agents.

See UK Plans and Pricing

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a UK virtual number if my business isn't based in the UK?

Yes, for some number types. With Aircall, national (03), freephone, and mobile numbers accept a business address anywhere in the world. Geographic numbers starting 01 or 02 need a UK business address.

Is an 03 number free to call?

Calls to 03 numbers cost the same as calls to 01 and 02 numbers and are included in most landline and mobile call bundles. If you want calls to be free for every caller, use an 0800 or 0808 freephone number.

Will my virtual number still work after the PSTN switch-off?

Yes. Virtual numbers run over the internet, not the analogue network, so the 31 January 2027 switch-off doesn't affect them.

Can I keep my existing BT landline number?

Usually, yes. Most UK numbers can be ported to a virtual phone provider. Keep your current service active until the port completes so you don't lose the number.

How much does a UK virtual phone number cost?

With Aircall, plans start at £25 per licence per month billed annually, with one local or freephone number included and extra numbers at £5 a month. Free apps are mostly US-only, so UK business numbers usually come with a paid plan.

Can a virtual number answer calls automatically?

Yes, with an AI agent. Aircall's AI Voice Agents answer calls 24/7 in 38 languages, handle common requests, and pass complex calls to your team with the full conversation attached.