028 at a glance
- Type
- Geographic (landline area code)
- Region
- Northern Ireland
- Country
- United Kingdom (+44)
- Number format
- 028 XXXX XXXX (area code + 8-digit local number)
- From abroad
- +44 28
- Cost to call
- Charged as a standard UK landline call; usually included in landline and mobile call bundles.
028 is the single area code for the whole of Northern Ireland, introduced in 2000 when it replaced a series of separate local codes such as 01232 for Belfast. Local numbers have eight digits, and the first two digits indicate the original exchange area, for example 90 for Belfast. Callers using 028 numbers include the Northern Ireland Executive departments, health and social care trusts, district councils, GP practices and businesses of every size. Because the number may have been ported or attached to a VoIP service, and because caller ID can be spoofed, an 028 number does not guarantee the caller is in Northern Ireland.
Who called me from 028?
The prefix tells you where the line was originally registered (Northern Ireland), but not who is behind it. Numbers can be ported between networks and caller ID can be spoofed, so a familiar code is no guarantee. Search the full number to see its current carrier, line type and whether other people have reported it. Read our UK phone number guide for mobile prefixes, networks and the scams currently doing the rounds.