Activating an International Phone Number

If you are expanding abroad, registering an international phone number with Belfabriek is a smart move. With a foreign phone number, you create a professional impression and show that you are firmly established in the respective country.

Compared to your Dutch number (+31), such a service number on-site significantly lowers the threshold. Be aware that, depending on the country, such a service number creates the expectation that you will respond to callers in the national language. Therefore, a new phone number may require new employees. Another option is to outsource your customer contact to a call center.

The service numbers you register with Belfabriek are virtual numbers: it is often not necessary for you to be physically present to answer the phone. Instead, our system immediately connects your callers to the number of your choice, for example, to your office in the Netherlands. The many extras that Belfabriek offers with each phone number make the offer irresistible.

The first step in applying for a service number abroad is to choose the country. You can do this on our page for numbers abroad. You will then see what types of service numbers we offer in that country. In most countries, you can choose between free numbers (for the callers) and national service numbers.

Belfabriek knows exactly which numbers are still available. Our selection of the most beautiful number combinations guarantees that your foreign customers can easily remember your phone number.

Next, you choose the phone number that is most attractive to you, which will be placed in the virtual shopping cart. If you want service numbers in multiple countries, repeat steps 1 and 2 until your order is complete.

Click the blue button ‘order’ to go to your shopping cart, or click the shopping cart icon in the top right corner to fill in your company details and contact person information.

When you are done filling in, click the button ‘submit request’ to send your order to us. You do not need to fill in payment details, as we will only send the invoice after registration.

One of our employees will further process your request and ensure that the number you selected is available as soon as possible.

Activating an international phone number is easier than ever in 2025. Whether you want to reach customers in the United Kingdom, need a local phone number for Germany, or want to expand your business in Belgium: we offer international phone numbers in almost every country.

The best part? You do not need to be physically present in the respective country! Our service ensures that incoming calls are forwarded to your desired phone number, whether it is a mobile number or your office in the Netherlands. This gives you the freedom to stay in contact with your international customers from anywhere, while they can call at a local rate.

When applying for an international phone number, it is essential to choose a telecom provider that is locally registered as an operator. This ensures that your customers can call at a local rate, which gives them a sense of familiarity and often results in lower call costs.

We are officially registered as an operator in more than 14 European countries and also offer extensive options outside of Europe.

An international number always contains a country code that indicates in which country the number is registered. For example, you use +44 for the United Kingdom, +49 for a German phone number, and +32 for a Belgian phone number. This country code ensures that callers can reach you from different countries, regardless of where you are located.

It is important to use the correct country code and format the number correctly when entering a foreign number. This means starting with a plus sign (+), followed by the country code, the national destination code, and then the subscriber number. Only with the correct formatting will the phone number function properly in different countries.

Be aware that even small mistakes, such as spaces or dashes in the wrong place, can prevent the number from working correctly!

A foreign phone number makes international calling simple and affordable for your customers. They can call at a local rate, which lowers the threshold for contacting you. For businesses with international customers, this is an essential step to build trust and streamline communication. Think of international contacts in the European Union, the United States, or even Greenland!

Additionally, we offer various handy features, such as hold music, call recording, and menus. You can fully customize your international phone number to your liking. This allows you to operate without extra software or complicated integrations.

Moreover, with an international phone number, you can not only receive calls but also potentially SMS messages.

Applying for an international phone number is simple and can be done quickly. Follow the steps below to activate a foreign phone number with Belfabriek in just a few minutes:

• Choose the Desired Country: Select the country for which you want to apply for an international phone number. We offer numbers in most European countries and beyond, including the United States and Canada.

• Choose Extra Features: Do you want to add hold music, call recording, or a menu? At Belfabriek, you can easily activate these features and customize them to your liking.

• Link the Number to Your Phone System or Mobile Phone: All incoming calls will be automatically forwarded to the phone number you choose, so you are reachable anywhere.

In the ‘International’ section of our blog, you can read all about applying for international phone numbers. Want to know how to apply for an Italian phone number? Or are you curious about the options for a Hungarian number? You will find all the information you need!