The +298 country code is for the Faroe Islands, a self-governing archipelago of 18 islands in the North Atlantic between Iceland, Norway, and Scotland. About 54,000 people live there, mostly spread across small villages connected by tunnels, ferries, and some of the most dramatic roads in Europe. The Faroes are part of the Kingdom of Denmark but handle their own telecommunications independently.
If you've seen +298 on your caller ID or need to reach someone in the Faroes, the dialing process is simple. There are no area codes, and all phone numbers are six digits long.
Quick answer: +298 is the Faroe Islands country code. All Faroese phone numbers are 6 digits with no area codes or trunk prefix. Mobile numbers start with 2, 5, or 7. Landlines start with 3 or 4. Format: +298 XXX XXX.
How to call Faroe Islands: quick reference
The Faroe Islands use a flat 6-digit numbering system with no area codes or trunk prefix. Dial +298 followed by the six-digit number and you're done.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +298 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-298-[local number] |
| UK | 00-298-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-298-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-298-[local number] |
| France | 00-298-[local number] |
Understanding Faroe Islands phone numbers
All Faroese phone numbers are 6 digits. The first digit identifies the type of number.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers start with 2, 5, or 7:
- 2X XXXX - Mobile (Faroese Telecom and others)
- 5X XXXX - Mobile
- 7X XXXX - Mobile
Landline numbers
Landlines start with 3 or 4:
- 3X XXXX - Landline numbers
- 4X XXXX - Landline numbers
There are no geographic area codes. A landline in Tórshavn has the same format as one in Klaksvík or Tvøroyri.
Special numbers
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 112 | Emergency (police, fire, ambulance) |
| 114 | Police (non-emergency) |
| 1870 | Directory enquiries |
Mobile carriers in Faroe Islands
For such a small population, the Faroe Islands have a competitive telecom market with two main operators.
Føroya Tele (Faroese Telecom)
The incumbent operator, partially state-owned. Føroya Tele runs the fixed-line network and a 4G/5G mobile network. It's the larger of the two carriers and handles most landline connections. The company also operates the subsea fiber cables connecting the Faroes to Iceland and Scotland, which carry all international internet and voice traffic for the islands.
Hey (formerly Vodafone Faroes)
The second mobile operator, rebranded from Vodafone in 2020. Hey operates its own 4G network and competes with Føroya Tele on mobile plans. Coverage between the two is comparable across the main islands, though Føroya Tele has a slight edge in the most remote villages.
Coverage notes
Mobile coverage is good across all inhabited islands, including inside the subsea tunnels connecting Vágar, Streymoy, Borðoy, and Eysturoy. The uninhabited outer islands (Lítla Dímun, for instance) have limited or no coverage. WiFi calling is a practical backup for visitors in rural areas.
Don't confuse +298 with nearby codes
The +298 code is uncommon enough that many people don't recognize it at all. Here are the codes it's most often mixed up with.
| Code | Country | Why it's confused |
|---|---|---|
| +45 | Denmark | The Faroes are part of the Danish realm; many assume they share Denmark's code |
| +354 | Iceland | Nearest island nation; similar Nordic culture and geography |
| +299 | Greenland | One digit apart; also a self-governing part of the Danish realm |
| +290 | Saint Helena | Similar 29X code; both are remote island territories |
The most common confusion is with Denmark (+45). While the Faroes belong to the Kingdom of Denmark, they have their own country code, currency (Faroese króna), and telecom system. Dialing +45 with a Faroese number will not reach the Faroes.
Time zone considerations
The Faroe Islands use Western European Time (WET, UTC+0), the same as the UK, Ireland, and Iceland. In summer (late March to late October), they switch to Western European Summer Time (WEST, UTC+1).
| Your location | Time difference from Faroes | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Faroes are 5 hours ahead | 8 AM-1 PM your time (1-6 PM Faroes) |
| US West Coast (PST) | Faroes are 8 hours ahead | 7-10 AM your time (3-6 PM Faroes) |
| UK (GMT) | Same time zone | Anytime during business hours |
| Denmark (CET) | Denmark is 1 hour ahead | 9 AM-6 PM either time |
| Australia (AEST) | Faroes are 10 hours behind | 6-10 PM your time (8 AM-12 PM Faroes) |
Communication in Faroe Islands
Business hours
Most businesses open 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays. Shops typically close at 5:30 PM and often have shorter hours on Saturdays (9 AM to 1 or 2 PM). Sunday closures are common. Government offices keep standard 9-to-4 hours. The Faroes have a very small-scale business culture where personal contacts matter more than formal channels. Calling ahead is usually more effective than email.
Languages
Faroese is the primary language, a North Germanic language closely related to Icelandic and Old Norse. Danish is taught in schools and widely understood, so you can get by with Danish in most situations. English is spoken well by younger Faroese and in the tourism industry. For business calls, Faroese or Danish is preferred, but English works in a pinch.
Network quality
Despite the islands' remoteness, telecom infrastructure is modern. Two subsea fiber cables (to Iceland and to Scotland) provide international connectivity. 4G LTE covers all towns and villages, and 5G is rolling out in Tórshavn. Voice call quality is good on both landlines and mobile. The main risk is weather: severe Atlantic storms can occasionally disrupt service in exposed areas.
The Faroe Islands diaspora
The Faroe Islands have a long history of emigration, mostly to Denmark. With only 54,000 residents, the Faroese diaspora is small in absolute numbers but proportionally large.
Where Faroese people live abroad
Denmark is by far the main destination. Around 20,000-25,000 people of Faroese origin live in Denmark, particularly in Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Aalborg. Many young Faroese move to Denmark for university and stay for work. There are also small communities in Iceland, Norway, and the UK (especially Scotland, which has historical ties to the islands).
Why they call home
Family ties are strong in Faroese culture. The islands are small enough that most people know each other, and emigration doesn't weaken those bonds. Students in Copenhagen call parents regularly. Seasonal workers in the fishing industry (some Faroese work on Norwegian or Icelandic vessels) stay in touch during long trips. Major calling peaks happen around Ólavsøka (Faroese National Day, July 28-29), Christmas, and during the grindadráp (pilot whale drives), which are significant community events.
Dialing examples
Calling a Faroese mobile from the US
To call a Faroese mobile number 21 23 45 from a US phone:
- From a mobile: +298 21 23 45
- From a landline: 011 298 21 23 45
Calling a Faroese landline from Denmark
To call a landline 35 67 89 in the Faroes from Denmark:
- From a mobile: +298 35 67 89
- From a landline: 00 298 35 67 89
Even though the Faroes are part of the Danish realm, you must dial the international prefix. There's no shortcut.
Calling a Faroese mobile from the UK
To call a mobile number 51 23 45 from the UK:
- From a mobile: +298 51 23 45
- From a landline: 00 298 51 23 45
Calling within the Faroe Islands
For local calls, just dial the 6-digit number directly: 21 23 45. No country code or prefix needed.
Common mistakes to avoid
Using Denmark's country code (+45)
This is the number one mistake. The Faroe Islands are part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but they have their own country code (+298) and their own telecom network. Dialing +45 with a Faroese number will either fail or connect you to someone in Denmark.
Adding a trunk prefix
The Faroes have no trunk prefix. When you see a number written as 21 23 45, dial +298 21 23 45. Don't add a leading 0 or any other prefix before the number.
Expecting a different number length
Faroese numbers are exactly 6 digits. If a system or form expects 7 or more digits, add the country code to the field or adjust validation. The full format is +298 plus 6 digits, nothing more.
Confusing with Greenland (+299)
Greenland's code is +299, just one digit away from +298. Both are self-governing territories within the Kingdom of Denmark. Double-check which you're dialing, especially if you work with both territories.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +298 code?
The +298 country code belongs to the Faroe Islands, a self-governing archipelago in the North Atlantic that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Do the Faroe Islands use Denmark's country code?
No. The Faroe Islands have their own country code, +298, separate from Denmark's +45. You must dial +298 to reach Faroese numbers.
How many digits are Faroese phone numbers?
All Faroese phone numbers are 6 digits long with no area codes. The full international format is +298 followed by 6 digits.
Does EU roaming apply in the Faroe Islands?
No. The Faroe Islands are not part of the EU or the EEA, so EU roaming regulations do not apply. Visitors with EU SIM cards will be charged international roaming rates. Use WiFi calling as an alternative.
What language do people speak in the Faroe Islands?
Faroese is the main language, but Danish is widely understood and English is commonly spoken, especially by younger people and in the tourism industry.
Looking for more Nordic dialing guides? Check out our guides for Denmark (+45), Iceland (+354), and Norway (+47), or browse the full country code directory.