The search for the “02 country phone number” often leads to confusion because no single country uses the code . Instead, the relevant numbers are the two-digit international code (Egypt) and the several geographic area codes in the United Kingdom (UK) that begin with .
This comprehensive guide will help you quickly identify whether the number you are calling is destined for Cairo or London, and provide the exact dialing steps for each scenario.
- The International Country Code: +20 (Egypt)
The primary international country code that begins with the number ‘2’ and uses only two digits is , which belongs to the Arab Republic of Egypt.
If you see a number formatted as followed by an area code and local digits, you are calling Egypt.
How to Successfully Dial Egypt
When dialing Egypt from anywhere else in the world, you must first enter your country’s international exit code (often replaced by the symbol) before the country code 20.
| Element | Code/Example | Notes |
| Exit Code | (USA/Canada) or (Most of Europe/Asia) | Use the symbol on mobile phones. |
| Country Code | Identifies the call recipient is in Egypt. | |
| Landline Area Code | (Cairo/Giza) or (Alexandria) | One- or two-digit code required for fixed lines. |
| Mobile Network Code | Used instead of a geographic area code for mobile phones. |
Major Egyptian Area Codes (Landlines)
Landline numbers in Egypt are typically or digits long after the area code.
| City/Region | Area Code | International Dialing Format |
| Cairo / Giza | xxxx xxxx | |
| Alexandria | xxxx xxxx | |
| Suez | xxx xxxx | |
| Port Said | xxx xxxx |
- The Domestic Geographic Code: 02 (United Kingdom)
If you encounter a phone number that starts with but lacks the country code, it is almost certainly a geographical fixed-line number within the United Kingdom.
In the UK, the starting is the trunk prefix—it is only used when calling within the UK and must be dropped when dialing internationally.
UK Area Codes Starting with 02
The UK uses several area codes that begin with . These codes are unique because they are typically nine digits long (the three-digit code plus eight local digits), making the full number 11 digits long nationally.
| UK Area Code (Domestic) | Major City/Region | International Dialing Format |
| xxxx xxxx | London | xxxx xxxx |
| xxxx xxxx | Cardiff | xxxx xxxx |
| xxxx xxxx | Northern Ireland | xxxx xxxx |
| xxxx xxxx | Southampton / Portsmouth | xxxx xxxx |
| xxxx xxxx | Coventry | xxxx xxxx |
How to Dial a UK Number from Abroad
To successfully call a number starting with in the UK, you must follow the correct international dialing protocol:
- Dial your country’s International Exit Code (e.g., or ) or use the
- Dial the UK Country Code ().
- Drop the leading and dial the remaining digits of the area code and the local number.
Example Call to London (from the USA): Dial
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a valid international country code?
No, the code alone is not assigned to any country. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) manages global telephone numbering zones. The number is the start of Zone 2, which includes all African countries and some small territories. The first two-digit code in this zone is (Egypt).
If I see in a phone number, what country is it?
When a number starts with , the is usually the International Exit Code (or prefix) used by many countries (especially in Europe) to initiate an overseas call. The is simply the first digit of the country code being dialed. You would need the next digit(s) to identify the country:
- Egypt
- South Africa
How long are phone numbers in Egypt?
Landline phone numbers in Egypt are typically digits long after the country code and area code. Mobile phone numbers in Egypt are digits long, following the country code.
What is the most common reason for dialing errors with numbers?
The most common mistake is failing to drop the domestic trunk prefix . If you are calling a UK number internationally, you must omit the from the code. For example, dialing will result in a dialing error; you must dial .
