Understanding Phone Numbers in Poland

Quick Reference Guide

• Country: Poland
• Country Code: +48
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: None
• Regulatory Authority: Office of Electronic Communications (UKE)

Overview of Poland's Phone Number System

This comprehensive guide offers detailed insights into Poland's telephone numbering system, covering number formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory compliance. It is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and system administrators who need precise and current information on Polish phone numbers.

Number Formats in Poland

General Number Structure

Poland's phone numbers are structured in a 9-digit format, excluding the country code. The structure varies slightly between landline and mobile numbers:

Geographic Numbers (Landline)

These numbers are typically 9 digits long, formatted as XX XXX XX XX, with the first two digits representing the area code.

Area Codes:

• Warsaw: 22
• Kraków: 12
• Wrocław: 71
• Gdańsk: 58
• Poznań: 61

Example: 22 123 45 67 (Warsaw)

Regular Expression:

^(\d{2})\s?(\d{3})\s?(\d{2})\s?(\d{2})$

Mobile Numbers

Mobile numbers are also 9 digits long, formatted as XXX XXX XXX, usually starting with 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8.

Example: 512 345 678

Regular Expression:

^(\d{3})\s?(\d{3})\s?(\d{3})$

Toll-Free Numbers

Toll-free numbers start with 800 and are followed by 6 digits.

Example: 800 123 456

Regular Expression:

^800\s?(\d{3})\s?(\d{3})$

Premium Rate Numbers

These numbers begin with 70 followed by another digit and 6 more digits.

Example: 701 123 456

Regular Expression:

^70[0-9]\s?(\d{3})\s?(\d{3})$

Shared Cost Numbers

Shared cost numbers start with 801 and are followed by 6 digits.

Example: 801 123 456

Regular Expression:

^801\s?(\d{3})\s?(\d{3})$

VoIP Numbers

VoIP numbers start with 39 followed by another digit and 6 more digits.

Example: 391 123 456

Regular Expression:

^39[0-9]\s?(\d{3})\s?(\d{3})$

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial the full 9-digit number.
• Landline to Mobile: Dial the full 9-digit number.
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the full 9-digit number.
• Mobile to Landline: Dial the full 9-digit number.

International Calls

• Outgoing: Dial 00 followed by the country code, area code (if any), and the subscriber number.
  • Example: To call Germany: 00 49 30 1234567
• Incoming: Callers from outside Poland should dial +48 followed by the 9-digit local number.
  • Example: To call Warsaw: +48 22 123 45 67

Number Portability

Poland supports number portability for both mobile and fixed lines, allowing users to retain their numbers when switching providers. This has been regulated by the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) since 2006.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Regulatory Body

The Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) manages Poland's telephone numbering plan, ensuring compliance with both national and international standards.

Recent or Upcoming Changes

As of the latest update, no recent changes have been made to Poland's numbering plan. The current system has been stable since 30 September 2009, when the prefix '0' was removed from local calls.

Technical Considerations

Number Allocation and Management

UKE manages the allocation of numbers based on demand, distributing them among operators according to predefined ranges.

Technical Restrictions

• Golden Numbers: Certain numbers may be designated as "golden" due to their simplicity, often at a higher cost.
• Number Blocking: Operators may block specific ranges for security or regulatory reasons, particularly in cases of fraud.

ITU-T Recommendations

Poland adheres to ITU-T E.164 for international number formats and ITU-T E.212 for mobile network codes, ensuring global compatibility.

Conclusion

Poland's telephone numbering system is well-structured and regulated by UKE, ensuring compliance with international standards. This guide provides essential technical details for professionals working with Polish phone numbers.