How to Call HMRC From Abroad
8/27/2026
Quick answer: HMRC publishes a dedicated number for calling each of its main helplines from outside the UK, and it's not just the domestic 0300 number with +44 in front. For Income Tax, call +44 135 535 9022. For Self Assessment, +44 161 931 9070. For National Insurance, +44 191 203 7010. For Child Benefit, +44 161 210 3086. All run Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm UK time, closed bank holidays.
HMRC's overseas numbers aren't what you'd expect
The natural assumption is that calling HMRC from abroad just means taking the domestic 0300 number and swapping the leading 0 for +44. That works, technically, since 0300 numbers aren't toll-free and do connect from abroad. But HMRC actually goes a step further: for its main helplines, it publishes a completely separate "Outside UK" number, a different regional line entirely, not just a reformatted version of the domestic one.
The verified numbers
| Service | UK number | From abroad | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Tax / general enquiries | 0300 200 3300 | +44 135 535 9022 | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm |
| Self Assessment | 0300 200 3310 | +44 161 931 9070 | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm |
| National Insurance (Class 1, 2, 3) | 0300 200 3500 | +44 191 203 7010 | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm |
| Child Benefit | 0300 200 3100 | +44 161 210 3086 | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm |
Sources: HMRC's official gov.uk contact pages for Income Tax, Self Assessment, National Insurance, and Child Benefit. All are closed bank holidays.
When to call (and when not to)
HMRC's lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm UK time, but not all hours are equal.
Best times to call:
- 8:00 to 8:30am UK time. The queues haven't built up yet, consistently the shortest wait.
- After 2pm. The lunch rush dies down and wait times drop again.
- Wednesday and Thursday. Midweek is generally quieter than Monday or Friday.
Worst times:
- Monday mornings. Everyone who couldn't call over the weekend is trying at once.
- The week around January 31. Self Assessment deadline chaos. Unless your query is deadline-related, wait until February.
- Right after a tax code change is issued. Thousands of people call simultaneously about the letter they just received.
What to have ready before you call
HMRC agents verify your identity before discussing anything. Have these to hand:
- Your National Insurance number (or your UTR for a Self Assessment call)
- Your full name and address as HMRC has it on file
- Your date of birth
- Details of the specific issue: the tax year, the amount in question, and any reference numbers from HMRC letters
Without these, the agent will ask you to call back, another hold you don't want to repeat.
The cheaper way to actually make the call
A typical HMRC call involves 20 to 40 minutes on hold plus 10 to 15 minutes of actual conversation. Roaming rates on top of that add up fast. With DialVia, you call HMRC's real overseas number from your browser over Wi-Fi instead:
- Open DialVia and sign up (about 30 seconds)
- Select United Kingdom as the destination
- Enter the number: 135 535 9022 (or the relevant service line)
- Hit call
When you can't call: other HMRC contact options
- HMRC online services (via your Government Gateway account). Check your tax code, submit Self Assessment returns, and view your National Insurance record.
- Webchat. Available for some services during business hours, though wait times can be long.
- Post. HMRC accepts written queries, but expect a 4 to 8 week response time, not viable if you have a deadline.
For anything time-sensitive or complex, calling remains the fastest path.
Frequently asked questions
How do I call HMRC from abroad? Use the dedicated overseas number for the service you need, not the domestic 0300 number reformatted. Income Tax is +44 135 535 9022, Self Assessment is +44 161 931 9070.
Is HMRC's overseas number the same as the UK number with +44 added? No. HMRC publishes a genuinely separate number for calls from outside the UK on each of its main helplines, different from the domestic 0300 line.
Is it free to call HMRC from abroad? No. These are standard UK numbers, and your carrier bills the call as a normal international call. Browser-based calling like DialVia is far cheaper than roaming rates.
What's the best time to call HMRC to avoid long waits? 8:00 to 8:30am UK time, or after 2pm, midweek. Avoid Monday mornings and the week around the 31 January Self Assessment deadline.
Need another UK government office's number? See the full guide to calling UK government offices from abroad, covering the DVLA and HM Passport Office too.
👉 Try DialVia to call from your browser in 30 seconds. Didn't connect? You don't pay. Or return to the DialVia homepage to learn more.