By October 2025, 0300 numbers will no longer be completely free to call from a landline; however, many phone providers will treat them as inclusive in standard call packages. If your provider doesn’t include 0300 numbers in your call bundle, then calls will cost your regular landline rate.
The 0300 number range was introduced by Ofcom to give charities, non-profits, and public-sector bodies a nationwide-accessible number without the consumer paying extra surcharges.
What You Need to Know:
- Calls to 0300 numbers must be included in any call offer which includes ‘calls to 01/02 numbers’ – they cannot be charged at higher rates than geographic numbers.
- Whether the call is free (i.e., included in your minutes) depends entirely on your landline or mobile provider’s bundle. Some include 0300 numbers in unlimited or inclusive minutes; others do not.
- If you are outside any inclusive minutes or on a tariff that treats 0300 numbers separately, you could be charged standard landline rates — roughly up to 16p per minute from a landline.
Pricing Snapshot (rates as of 2025)
| Scenario | Approximate cost |
| Included in your landline or mobile bundle | £0/minute (i.e., effectively “free” to the caller) |
| Not included, landline rate | Up to 16 p/minute |
| Not included, mobile rate (outside minutes) | Between 3p and 65p/minute (depending on network & plan) |
What Does This Mean For You?
If you are calling a 0300 number from a landline and you know your package includes ‘calls to UK landlines (01/02)’, you should check whether 0300 numbers are explicitly included. In many cases, they are treated the same. Where they’re not included, you’ll pay the standard rate. For organisations using a 0300 number, it means you can advertise it as ‘standard national rate’ (or ‘included in most call packages’), but you cannot guarantee it’s entirely zero cost for all callers.
Need more info…
If you’re thinking of buying a 0300 number for your organisation, or if you just have more questions, call 0330 332 0400.
