Understanding Phone Numbers in Estonia

Quick Reference Guide

• Country: Estonia
• Country Code: +372
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: None

Comprehensive Overview

Gain insights into Estonia's telephone numbering plan, including formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory details. This guide is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and system administrators working with Estonian phone numbers.

Number Formats in Estonia

General Number Structure

Estonian phone numbers follow a specific structure:

• Country Code: +372
• Area Codes: Estonia does not use traditional area codes; the first digit of the subscriber number indicates the service type.
• Subscriber Number Length: 7 to 8 digits
• Special Prefixes:
  • Mobile Numbers: Start with 5
  • Toll-Free Numbers: Start with 800
  • Premium Rate Numbers: Start with 900

Number Format Table

Regular Expressions for Number Validation

Use these regex patterns to validate Estonian phone numbers:

# Geographic Numbers
^3\d{7}$

# Mobile Numbers
^5\d{7}$

# Toll-Free Numbers
^800\d{4}$

# Premium Rate Numbers
^900\d{4}$

# Special Services
^118\d{3}$

# Emergency Numbers
^112$

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial the 7-digit subscriber number.
• Landline to Mobile: Dial the 7-digit mobile number.
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 7-digit mobile number.

International Calls

• Outgoing: Dial 00, then the country code and subscriber number. For example, to call the UK: 00 44 XXXX XXXXXX.
• Incoming: Callers from abroad should dial +372 followed by the local number.

Number Portability

Estonia supports mobile number portability, allowing users to retain their numbers when switching providers. This is regulated by the Estonian Technical Regulatory Authority.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Regulatory Body

The Estonian Technical Regulatory Authority (ETRA) manages and regulates phone numbers in Estonia. Visit their official website for the latest updates.

ITU-T Recommendations

Estonia's numbering system complies with ITU-T E.164 standards, which define the international telecommunication numbering plan.

Number Allocation and Management

Number allocation in Estonia is handled by ETRA, focusing on efficient use of the numbering space.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

• Golden Numbers: Memorable numbers may be reserved or auctioned by operators.
• Number Blocking: Certain numbers may be blocked for security or regulatory reasons.

Technical Considerations for Developers

When developing systems for Estonian phone numbers, consider:

• Validation: Use regex for correct number formats.
• Normalization: Store numbers in E.164 format (+372XXXXXXXX).
• Portability: Consider number portability for call/message routing.
• Internationalization: Support both domestic and international formats.