TL;DR
Phone number rules vary by country.
If you pick the wrong type or miss a local requirement, your number could be blocked or revoked.
This guide shows how to stay compliant with business phone numbers globally, with examples from key countries and a link to the full list from Voyced.
Why Compliance Matters
Getting a business number seems simple.
But every country has its own rules.
Some require:
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Proof of residency
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Local business registration
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ID checks or tax numbers
Others don’t allow:
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TollFree numbers for non-locals
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Geographic numbers without a local address
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Mobile VoIP numbers at all
If you ignore the rules, you risk:
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Losing the number
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Getting blocked by carriers
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Breaking local telecom law
This guide helps you avoid that.
You can also view the full list of requirements here:
👉 Voyced Country-Specific DID Requirements
What Is a Compliant Business Number?
A compliant number:
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Is approved for business use
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Matches the service you’re offering
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Respects caller ID laws in that country
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Can legally be used from your location
Compliance depends on:
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The type of number (TollFree, Geographic, National, Mobile, UIFN)
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The country you’re registering in
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The country you’re calling from
Let’s Look at Some Real Examples
Here’s a breakdown of what’s allowed (and not) in a few popular countries.
🇩🇪 Germany
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Geographic numbers: Allowed, but require proof of a local address in the matching city.
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TollFree: Allowed, but caller ID rules are strict, must show a compliant return path.
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Mobile VoIP: Not supported anymore, at this time.
✅ Good for businesses with a German branch
❌ Risky if you’re trying to look “local” without presence
🇺🇸 United States
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TollFree (800, 888, etc.): Widely available, no residency needed
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Geographic numbers: Easy to get, minimal paperwork
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Mobile numbers: Not always available for VoIP
✅ One of the most flexible countries
💡 Caller ID rules vary by state
See United States-specific rules
🇫🇷 France
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Geographic numbers: Need a local address and ID
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National numbers: Allowed with proof of EU entity
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TollFree: Available but tightly regulated
✅ Works if you can prove a French or EU presence
❌ Strict on remote sign-ups
🇦🇺 Australia
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Geographic numbers: Require an address in the matching area
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TollFree (1800): Available but caller ID must match carrier routing
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Mobile VoIP numbers: Restricted use
✅ If you’ve got an office or staff in Australia
❌ Not for remote-only teams
🇳🇱 Netherlands
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Geographic: Easy with a Dutch address
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TollFree: Allowed
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VoIP mobile numbers: Available in most cases
✅ Great for EU-based businesses
💡 Dutch compliance is clearer than most countries
See Netherlands-specific rules
🇨🇦 Canada
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Geographic: Easy to access
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TollFree: Allowed for inbound services
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Mobile numbers: Rarely issued for VoIP
✅ Flexible, similar to US rules
❌ Some regional restrictions on porting
🇸🇪 Sweden
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Geographic: Allowed with proof of business or residence
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TollFree (0200): Available
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VoIP mobile: Supported with extra verification
✅ Good for local teams
💡 Some restrictions on how outbound traffic is shown
What Types of Numbers Are, On Average, Most Regulated?
Type of Number | Regulation Level |
---|---|
TollFree | Low to high |
Geographic | Medium to high |
National | Medium |
VoIP Mobile | Medium to high |
UIFN (Universal) | Low |
The stricter the type, the more proof you’ll need.
What Documents Might Be Required?
Depending on the country and number type, you may need:
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Proof of business registration
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Utility bill or lease
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Personal ID or passport
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Local tax number
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Authorisation letter for use
All documentation must be clear, official, and match the number type you’re requesting.
5 Common Mistakes Businesses Make
Here’s what businesses often get wrong when setting up international phone numbers, and how you can avoid the same problems.
1. Using a Number Before Full Activation
It’s easy to get excited and start using a new number as soon as it appears in your portal.
But in many countries, the number isn’t considered fully legal until your documentation is reviewed and approved.
Calls might connect briefly, but then the number may suddenly stop working, or get revoked.
Tip:
Always wait for a clear confirmation from your provider that the number is fully active and compliant before you publish or use it.
2. Using a Local Address You Don’t Actually Control
Some try to register a number using an address from a virtual office, rented desk, or a friend’s apartment in another country.
This can work, but only if you’re careful.
In some countries, regulators now check that addresses are not just “rented shelf space.”
If you’re using a third-party service to provide a local address:
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Make sure they’re reputable and well-documented
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Ensure they can receive official correspondence
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Be ready to explain the relationship if asked
Tip:
Voyced can advise you on when and where third-party addresses are accepted, and when they’re likely to be flagged.
3. Assuming VoIP Has No Rules
VoIP might feel borderless, but telecom regulators don’t see it that way.
Many countries still apply the same laws to VoIP as they do to landlines and mobiles.
That includes:
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National residency or business presence rules
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Storage and usage of caller data
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Proof of business activity in that region
Tip:
Use the Voyced DID requirements list to check the rules for each country before choosing a number.
4. Using the Right Caller ID, From the Wrong Location
In some countries, using the right caller ID isn’t enough.
Take Germany as an example:
Even if you present a valid German number (like +49 30), if the call is made from outside Germany, it may still be blocked by the carrier.
This applies even if the number is fully verified and assigned correctly.
Why?
Because many carriers and regulators now expect local traffic to originate from inside the country, or at least through a locally registered system.
Tip:
Always check whether the destination country enforces location-based CLI rules. Voyced can help you route calls through the proper in-country path when required.
5. Ignoring Re-verification or Document Renewal Notices
Some countries require you to resubmit documentation every year or after a set time period.
This includes:
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Proof of address
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ID documents
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Local business licenses or tax numbers
If you miss these deadlines, the number may go inactive, even if you’ve been using it for months or years without problems.
Tip:
Voyced will alert you when re-verification is needed. Make sure your admin contact details are always up to date and act quickly when asked.
How Voyced Helps
With Voyced, you get:
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A clear list of all country-specific requirements
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Support in 165+ countries
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Free Hosted IPPBX with any number
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Smart routing and caller ID options
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Real help if something changes
See the live requirement list here:
👉 https://www.voyced.eu/clients/knowledgebase/6/DID-Country-specific-requirements
You Don’t Have to Guess
The rules are tricky. But you don’t have to learn them all from scratch.
With Voyced, you can stay compliant, stay connected, and grow without issues.
Whether you need one number or 50, start with a provider who makes it easy to do things the right way.
How to stay compliant with business phone numbers globally? Start with someone who already knows the rules.
Activate your (first) number today at www.voyced.eu