A number beginning with 0300 is part of the UK’s “03” non-geographic number range. These were introduced by Ofcom to give public sector, charity, and not-for-profit organisations a nationally accessible number, charged at the same rate as a geographic (01/02) number.
They are not “freephone” numbers (unlike 0800/0808)—instead, the rule is that they must cost no more than a standard landline call.
Many providers do include 0300 calls in their inclusive minutes, but this is not guaranteed — it is always advisable to check the tariff you’re on. When calling from a landline you can expect costs similar to calling an 01/02 number; from a mobile, it depends heavily on your plan.
Why Does It Matter to Callers & Organisations?
For Organisations:
- It gives organisations a national presence (not tied to a city/location).
- It signals a ‘standard-rate’ (or free) call rather than a premium or hidden cost – helping trust & access.
For Callers:
- If you have an inclusive bundle (calls to landlines/01/02), you may dial 0300 as part of those minutes.
- 0300 can only be allocated to registered charities, public sector or government organisations – so you know you’re calling a genuine concern.
Regulatory Insights (As of 2025)
- Ofcom specifies that calls to 03 numbers (including 0300) must count towards any inclusive minutes for 01/02 numbers.
- From a landline, the cost should be no more than calls to 01/02 numbers. From mobile, the wide range arises because of different network tariffs and whether you have inclusive minutes or pay-as-you-go.
Cost Snapshot: What you could pay in 2025
Typical cost ranges in the UK for calling a 0300 number. (Please check your current provider, as these are guidelines).
| Caller type | Typical cost range | Notes |
| Landline, included in bundle | £0/minute effectively | If 01/02 calls are included and 0300 is treated the same |
| Landline, not in inclusive minutes | Up to 16p per minute | Typical “standard national rate” cap. |
| Mobile, included in bundle | £0 / minute effectively | If your plan includes 01/02 and treats 03 the same |
| Mobile, outside inclusive allowance | Between 3p to 65p per minute | Big variation depending on providers. |
What the Individual Providers Say for 0300 Numbers
Here are deeper dives into what some of the main networks currently charge (or have publicly indicated) for 0300 calls.
VOXI
While there wasn’t a specific up-to-date published rate for 0300 numbers on VOXI at the time of writing, the regulatory baseline applies: 0300 calls should be treated like 01/02 calls. They are likely included if your VOXI plan covers landline minutes.
Remember: Check your plan details on VOXI’s ‘calls to UK landlines’ allowance.
Lycamobile
On Lycamobile, similar rules apply: 03 number calls must not cost more than standard landline calls. If you are on their PAYG or outside minutes, you might pay standard rate.
Tip: Check with Lycamobile and confirm whether 03 numbers (including 0300) are listed as included in your inclusive minutes.
Virgin Mobile
It has been stated that Virgin may be free; if not, charges are around 35p per minute.
Hence, for Virgin Mobile:
- If calls to UK landlines (01/02) are included, it’s also likely that 0300 numbers are included.
- If not included, expect around 30-40p per minute.
Tip: Check your ‘inclusive minutes’ section and look for mention of ‘03 numbers’.
Plusnet Mobile
On Plusnet Mobile, calls to standard UK landlines (including 01, 02, 0300, 0330, 0333, 0345, 0370) are listed as £0.40 per minute for non-inclusive minutes.
However:
- If you’re inside inclusive minutes, it might be £0.
- If outside: £0.40 per min.
Tip: For Plusnet subscribers: check whether 03 numbers are included in your allowance.
giffgaff
In general, giffgaff has ‘free 0300 calls inside inclusive minutes’ OR ‘10p per minute outside’.
So, for giffgaff:
- Inside inclusive minutes: £0.00
- Outside: 10p/min.
Top Tip: giffgaff users: check your “goodybag” inclusive minutes as 0300 is often included.
FreedomPop
When it comes to FreedomPop’s 0300 number charges, assume the regulatory baseline (i.e. it must not cost more than 01/02).
Tip: FreedomPop users should contact customer service to verify whether 0300 numbers are included in their minutes or what the per-minute cost is.
0300 FAQs
Can I call a 0300 number from abroad?
Yes, but from abroad it will be treated as a normal international call to a UK landline. There is no special surcharge just because it’s 0300. So, depending on your roaming plan, you may pay higher international rates.
Are 0300 numbers always free to the caller?
Not automatically. They are “standard rate” (same as 01/02) rather than “freephone”. Some plans treat them as free because they include them, but some don’t. Organisations that use 0300 numbers should avoid saying “Call for free” unless they are absolutely sure every network treats it as free.
Are 0300 numbers available for any business?
No — 0300 numbers are reserved for charities, the public sector & not-for-profit organisations. The commercial sector must use the other 03 ranges (e.g., 0330, 0345). If you’re a business, you may want to consider 0330, which has the same cost structure for callers.
Why do some networks charge more than the regulatory “landline rate”?
While Ofcom mandates “no more than a call to 01/02”, the actual cost depends on whether your inclusive minutes cover 03 calls and whether you’re outside the allowance. Some PAYG or out-of-bundle situations mean a network charge per minute, which may look much higher. (E.g. Plusnet’s £0.40/min).
It’s also possible that a network’s plan does not treat 03 numbers as inclusive — hence the higher cost. Always check your tariff.
Tips for organisations advertising 0300 numbers
- Use wording like “Charged at standard national rate / included in most inclusive minutes”.
- Avoid “free to call” unless you are sure all callers across all networks will pay £0.
- Specify for landline/mobile if you know the cost structure.
- Regularly review network inclusive minutes trends — many mobile bundles increasingly cover 03 calls, which is good for the caller experience.
Summary
In the UK in 2025, calling a 0300 number is almost always treated like calling a standard landline (01/02). That means it can be free (if your plan covers landlines), or it might cost you something if you’re outside your allowance. The key takeaway: check your provider’s details.
