Phone Number Regulations — Germany

Overview

Germany has one of the most heavily regulated telecommunications markets in Europe. Number portability has been legally mandated since 2002 and is overseen by the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA). Customers have a legal right to keep their phone number when switching providers.

Regulatory authority

Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA) — Federal Network Agency
Responsible for the German numbering plan, the allocation of phone numbers and number blocks, and enforcement of porting regulations.

Legal basis: Telecommunications Act (TKG), particularly §59 (number portability).

Number portability

Number portability is comprehensively regulated in Germany. The TKG grants customers the right to take their number with them for both fixed-line and landline contracts.

Key facts

• Fixed-line porting: Yes, fully supported
• Mobile porting: Yes, fully supported (since 2002)
• Porting duration: Maximum 1 business day for mobile (legally mandated). For fixed-line typically 7–14 business days
• Cost: Since April 20, 2020, the losing provider may no longer charge a porting fee
• Individual numbers and blocks: Both individual numbers and number blocks can be ported

Required documents

1. Porting authorization (LOA) — Written declaration from the number holder authorizing the new provider to port
2. Customer number with the losing provider — Found on the last invoice
3. Proof of identity — ID card or passport (copy)
4. For business customers: Commercial register extract or business registration

Important notes

• Geographic numbers are tied to the local area code — with VoIP usage, this restriction effectively doesn't apply.
• The BNetzA can be called upon as an arbitration body in disputes between providers.
• Porting between different number types (e.g., fixed-line to mobile) is not possible.

Number types in Germany

• Geographic numbers (+49 xxx) — Local area numbers (e.g., 030 Berlin, 089 Munich, 040 Hamburg). Available from Virtual-Call in all German area codes.
• Mobile numbers (+49 15x/16x/17x) — Porting and provisioning not offered by Virtual-Call.
• Toll-free numbers (0800) — Free service numbers, available through Virtual-Call.
• Shared-cost numbers (01801/01802/01803) — Costs shared between caller and callee.
• Premium-rate numbers (0900) — Paid service numbers, subject to strict BNetzA regulations.
• Personal numbers (032) — Location-independent numbers. Available through Virtual-Call.

Virtual-Call availability

Virtual-Call offers in Germany:

• New geographic phone numbers in all German area codes
• Porting of existing fixed-line numbers
• 0800 service numbers
• 032 numbers (location-independent)
• Number blocks for businesses