The Ultimate Guide to stay compliant with business phone numbers in Over 165 Countries

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:

Proof of residency
Local business registration
ID checks or tax numbers

Others don’t allow:

TollFree numbers for non-locals
Geographic numbers without a local address
Mobile VoIP numbers at all

If you ignore the rules, you risk:

Losing the number
Getting blocked by carriers
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:

Is approved for business use
Matches the service you’re offering
Respects caller ID laws in that country
Can legally be used from your location

Compliance depends on:

The type of number (TollFree, Geographic, National, Mobile, UIFN)
The country you’re registering in
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

Geographic numbers: Allowed, but require proof of a local address in the matching city.
TollFree: Allowed, but caller ID rules are strict, must show a compliant return path.
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

See Germany-specific rules

🇺🇸 United States

TollFree (800, 888, etc.): Widely available, no residency needed
Geographic numbers: Easy to get, minimal paperwork
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

Geographic numbers: Need a local address and ID
National numbers: Allowed with proof of EU entity
TollFree: Available but tightly regulated

✅ Works if you can prove a French or EU presence
❌ Strict on remote sign-ups

See France-specific rules

🇦🇺 Australia

Geographic numbers: Require an address in the matching area
TollFree (1800): Available but caller ID must match carrier routing
Mobile VoIP numbers: Restricted use

✅ If you’ve got an office or staff in Australia
❌ Not for remote-only teams

See Australia-specific rules

🇳🇱 Netherlands

Geographic: Easy with a Dutch address
TollFree: Allowed
VoIP mobile numbers: Available in most cases

✅ Great for EU-based businesses
💡 Dutch compliance is clearer than most countries

See Netherlands-specific rules

🇨🇦 Canada

Geographic: Easy to access
TollFree: Allowed for inbound services
Mobile numbers: Rarely issued for VoIP

✅ Flexible, similar to US rules
❌ Some regional restrictions on porting

See Canada-specific rules

🇸🇪 Sweden

Geographic: Allowed with proof of business or residence
TollFree (0200): Available
VoIP mobile: Supported with extra verification

✅ Good for local teams
💡 Some restrictions on how outbound traffic is shown

See Sweden-specific rules

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:

Proof of business registration
Utility bill or lease
Personal ID or passport
Local tax number
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:

Make sure they’re reputable and well-documented
Ensure they can receive official correspondence
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:

National residency or business presence rules
Storage and usage of caller data
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:

Proof of address
ID documents
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:

A clear list of all country-specific requirements
Support in 165+ countries
Free Hosted IPPBX with any number
Smart routing and caller ID options
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.