What are 0300 numbers and are they free to call?

Key takeaways

• 0300 numbers are UK-wide phone numbers used by public bodies, charities and other not-for-profit organisations. They aren't freephone, but a call costs the same as a call to a standard 01 or 02 landline. So 0300 calls are free on any plan that includes UK landline calls.
• 0330 numbers follow the same Ofcom charging rule, so 0330 calls are also free within inclusive minutes and never cost more than a landline call. The difference is that any organisation can use a 0330 number, not just public bodies and charities.
• 0300 and 0330 calls are free on SMARTY Rolling Monthly plans because unlimited calls include numbers starting with 01, 02 and 03.

 

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Numbers starting with 0300 often appear at stressful moments. A missed call, a letter from the council, or a reminder from the GP surgery. Before you ring back, it's natural to wonder whether the call will cost you.

Usually, it won't. Here's what 0300 numbers are, how the charges work, and how to check a call is genuine before you dial.

What are 0300 numbers?

0300 numbers are UK-wide phone numbers that aren't tied to a specific town or area. Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, introduced the 03 range in 2007 as a clearer alternative to 08 numbers, where call costs were often confusing.

Numbers starting 030 (which includes 0300 and 0303) are reserved for public sector bodies and not-for-profit organisations, such as registered charities. That's why you'll see them on helplines, council services, government departments and NHS services.

Two more things to know. The organisation you're calling can't make money from an 03 call. And 0300 isn't the same as freephone: 0800 and 0808 numbers are paid for by the organisation, and we cover those in our 0800 numbers guide.

Are 0300 numbers free to call?

Not technically, but in practice, nearly always. 0300 numbers are charged at the same rate as standard 01 and 02 landline numbers, and Ofcom's rules mean they count towards inclusive minutes in the same way.

If your plan includes UK landline calls

The call uses your inclusive minutes, or costs nothing extra if your calls are unlimited. Nothing to work out.

If your plan doesn't

You pay whatever your provider charges for landline calls. Rates vary widely between providers, and pay-as-you-go tariffs can be expensive. So check your price guide before making a long call to a helpline.

If you're calling from abroad

Roaming rules apply instead of your usual UK allowance, so calls can cost more than at home. Many organisations list a separate number for callers abroad, so it's worth checking their website first.

Do 0330, 0333 and other 03 numbers work the same way?

Yes. Every number starting with 03 follows the same charging rule. What differs is who's allowed to use each one.

Prefix	Who can use it
0300, 0303	Public bodies, charities and other not-for-profits
0330, 0333	Any organisation or individual
0343, 0344, 0345	Organisations moving from an equivalent 084 number
0370, 0371, 0372	Organisations moving from an equivalent 087 number

So 0344 and 0345 aren't versions of 0300. They're separate ranges.

How can you check a 0300 call is genuine?

A 0300 number is a good sign, but not a guarantee, because caller ID can be faked. Here’s a quick check that takes about a minute:

1. Don't share personal or payment details on an unexpected call, however official it sounds.
2. Hang up and find the organisation's number on its official website or on a letter you already have.
3. Ring that number yourself and ask whether they were trying to reach you.

Calling helplines without watching the clock

A call to a council, a government department or a helpline can involve a fair amount of hold music. With SMARTY, you can wait as long as it takes. Unlimited calls on our Rolling Monthly plans cover numbers starting with 01, 02 and 03, so there are no minutes to count. You can see exactly what's included and what isn't in our premium, freephone and service numbers help article.

FAQs

1. Is telephone number 0300 free to call?

Calls to 0300 numbers aren't freephone, but they cost the same as calls to 01 and 02 landline numbers. This means 0300 calls are free on any mobile or landline plan that includes UK landline calls, including SMARTY Rolling monthly plans.

2. Are 0330 phone numbers free to call?

0330 numbers are charged at the same rate as 01 and 02 landline numbers, so 0330 calls are free on plans that include UK landline calls. Any organisation can use a 0330 number, whereas 0300 numbers are reserved for public bodies and not-for-profits.

3. Is it safe to call back a 0300 number?

Calling back costs no more than a landline call, but the number alone doesn't prove a call is genuine, as caller ID can be faked. The safest approach is to find the organisation's number on its official website or on a letter, and call that instead.