The +500 country code is for the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic about 480 kilometres east of Patagonia. Around 3,500 people live here, most of them in Stanley, the capital. The rest are scattered across farms (called "camp" locally) on the two main islands, East and West Falkland.
Calling the Falklands is expensive. The islands depend on satellite links for international calls, and with such a small population base, there's no economy of scale to bring prices down. At $4.62/min, it's one of the priciest destinations you can dial. Most residents use the internet for day-to-day communication with the outside world, but the phone system works and is reliable - you just pay a premium for it.
Quick answer: The Falkland Islands country code is +500. Local phone numbers are 5 digits. There is no trunk prefix and no area codes. Mobile numbers start with 5 or 6, and landline numbers start with 2. Dial +500 followed by the 5-digit number.
How to call Falkland Islands: quick reference
The Falklands use 5-digit numbers with no trunk prefix. What you see locally is exactly what you dial after +500.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +500 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-500-[local number] |
| UK | 00-500-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-500-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-500-[local number] |
| France | 00-500-[local number] |
Understanding Falkland Islands phone numbers
The Falkland Islands numbering plan is simple. All numbers are 5 digits, there are no area codes, and the first digit tells you what type of line you're calling.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers start with 5 or 6 and are 5 digits long: +500 5XXXX or +500 6XXXX. Mobile coverage is limited to Stanley and the area around Mount Pleasant (the military base). Outside these zones, there's no mobile signal - camp settlements rely on landlines and radio.
Landline numbers
Landline numbers start with 2 and follow the format +500 2XXXX. Stanley residents and camp farms both use this prefix. Some camp properties are reached via radio-telephone links rather than copper lines, but the dialling format is the same.
Number structure
| Type | Prefix | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landline | 2 | +500 2XXXX | +500 22345 |
| Mobile | 5, 6 | +500 5XXXX / 6XXXX | +500 51234 |
Telecom in the Falkland Islands
There's one telecom provider for the entire territory. No competition, no carrier choice.
Sure (Falkland Islands) Ltd
Sure (formerly Cable & Wireless) is the sole telecommunications provider. It runs the fixed-line network, the mobile network (2G/3G/4G in Stanley), and the internet service. Sure operates under a government licence and is the only option for residents and businesses. The company also manages the satellite links that connect the Falklands to the rest of the world.
Mobile coverage
4G LTE is available in Stanley and around Mount Pleasant Airport/military base. Outside these areas, there's no mobile coverage at all. The camp (rural areas) relies on fixed wireless, VHF radio, and satellite phones. If you're trying to reach someone on a farm outside Stanley, a landline number starting with 2 is more reliable than a mobile.
Internet and satellite
International connectivity runs through satellite links, which is why calls are expensive and internet speeds are limited compared to what you'd get on a mainland. Sure offers broadband in Stanley, but camp settlements often rely on slower satellite connections. VoIP calls to the Falklands work but depend on the recipient having a decent internet connection.
Don't confuse +500 with nearby codes
The +500 code is distinctive enough that it's not commonly confused with other codes, but a few come up:
| Code | Country | Why it's confused |
|---|---|---|
| +44 | United Kingdom | The Falklands are a British territory. Some people try +44 assuming British numbers work. They don't. |
| +54 | Argentina | Argentina claims the Falklands (calling them Islas Malvinas). Some Argentine directories list the islands under +54, which won't connect. |
| +56 | Chile | Chile is the nearest mainland country with regular flights to the Falklands. Occasionally confused in travel contexts. |
| +590 | Guadeloupe | Numerically similar (500 vs 590). Both are island territories. |
The most practical confusion is with the UK's +44. The Falklands are British, the residents speak English, and the currency is the Falkland Islands pound (pegged to GBP). But the phone system is completely separate from the UK's. Always use +500.
Time zone considerations
The Falkland Islands use Falkland Islands Time (FKT, UTC-3) year-round. The territory stopped observing daylight saving time in 2010, so the offset stays at UTC-3 throughout the year.
| Your location | Time difference from Falklands | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST/EDT) | +2 hours (winter) / +1 hour (summer) | 9am-3pm your time (11am-5pm Falklands) |
| US West Coast (PST/PDT) | +5 hours (winter) / +4 hours (summer) | 7am-12pm your time (12pm-5pm Falklands) |
| UK (GMT/BST) | +3 hours (winter) / +4 hours (summer) | 12pm-5pm your time (9am-2pm Falklands) |
| Australia East (AEST/AEDT) | -13 to -14 hours | 10pm-3am your time (9am-2pm Falklands) |
| Japan (JST) | -12 hours | 9pm-2am your time (9am-2pm Falklands) |
The Falklands are in the same time zone as Argentina and Brazil (in winter). Calling from Australia or Asia is awkward - you're looking at overnight calls to reach business hours.
Communication in Falkland Islands
Business hours
Stanley operates on a Monday-to-Friday schedule, roughly 8am to 4:30pm. Government offices close by 4:30pm sharp. Shops in Stanley have limited hours, and some close for lunch. Saturday is half-day for most businesses. Sunday is quiet - almost nothing is open. Camp farms don't keep regular phone hours; call when you know someone will be near the phone.
Language
English is the only language. The accent is distinctive - a mix of British English with some unique Falklands vocabulary. "Camp" means the countryside (from the Spanish "campo"), "smoko" is a tea break, and "kelper" is the informal term for a Falkland Islander. You won't have any language issues on the phone.
Network quality
Call quality within Stanley is good - the local network is modern. International calls route through satellite, which can introduce a slight delay (latency), but it's generally clear. The delay is noticeable but not enough to make conversation difficult. Camp properties on radio-telephone links may have lower quality, with occasional static or dropouts depending on weather conditions.
Who calls the Falkland Islands?
Family in the UK
Most Falkland Islanders have family ties to the UK. Young people often leave for university in Britain and some settle there, while parents and grandparents stay in the Falklands. The UK is by far the largest source of incoming calls. Many islanders also have relatives in other British Overseas Territories like St Helena and Ascension Island.
Military personnel and contractors
The British military maintains a garrison at Mount Pleasant Complex, about 50 kilometres from Stanley. Soldiers, RAF personnel, and civilian contractors rotate in and out. Their families back in the UK call regularly. The military base has its own phone system, but personal calls often route through the civilian +500 network.
Fishing and tourism industries
Fishing licences are a major revenue source for the Falklands government. International fishing companies (mostly Spanish, Korean, and Taiwanese) coordinate with the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department by phone. Expedition cruise ships also visit during the austral summer (October to March), and tour operators call ahead to arrange shore excursions and wildlife viewing trips.
Dialing examples
Calling a Stanley landline from the UK
You need to reach a guesthouse in Stanley at 22345. From a UK landline, dial: 00 500 22345. From a UK mobile: +500 22345. The 2 at the start confirms it's a landline.
Calling a Falklands mobile from the US
Your contact's mobile is 51234. From a US mobile, dial: +500 51234. From a US landline: 011 500 51234. Remember, mobile coverage only works in Stanley and near Mount Pleasant - if they're out on camp, the mobile may not ring.
Calling the Falkland Islands Government from Germany
The government switchboard in Stanley is at 28000. From Germany, dial: 00 500 28000. Or from a mobile: +500 28000. Office hours are 8am-4:30pm Falklands time (UTC-3).
Calling from Argentina
Despite the political situation, you can call the Falklands from Argentina. Dial: 00 500 followed by the 5-digit number. Argentine carriers route the call normally. There's no special procedure or block.
Common mistakes to avoid
Using the UK's +44 code
The Falklands are British, but they have their own country code. Dialling +44 followed by a Falklands number won't work - it'll route to a random UK number or fail entirely. Always use +500.
Adding a trunk prefix
Some callers add a 0 before the 5-digit number out of habit (because many countries use 0 as a trunk prefix). The Falklands don't have one. Dialling +500 022345 will fail. Just dial the 5 digits directly after +500.
Expecting mobile coverage everywhere
Mobile service only covers Stanley and the Mount Pleasant area. If someone on a farm in Goose Green or Port Howard doesn't answer their mobile, it's probably because they have no signal. Try their landline (2-prefix number) instead, or call during hours when they're likely in Stanley.
Not accounting for satellite delay
International calls to the Falklands route through satellite, which adds about half a second of delay. If you're not used to it, you'll talk over each other. Pause a beat longer than normal before responding, and the conversation will flow better.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +500 code?
The Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic. The islands are about 480 kilometres east of Argentina's Patagonian coast. Around 3,500 people live there, mostly in the capital Stanley.
Why is it so expensive to call the Falklands?
International calls route through satellite links because there's no undersea fibre optic cable to the islands. Satellite bandwidth is expensive, and the tiny population means costs can't be spread across many users. At $4.62/min on both Economy and Premium, it's one of the most expensive destinations to call.
Do the Falkland Islands use UK phone numbers?
No. Despite being a British territory, the Falklands have their own country code (+500) and a completely separate phone system. UK numbers (+44) don't work for the Falklands.
Is there mobile coverage in the Falkland Islands?
Only in Stanley and around Mount Pleasant military base. The rest of the islands (the "camp") has no mobile coverage. Rural properties use landlines, VHF radio, or satellite phones.
Can I call the Falklands from Argentina?
Yes. Despite the sovereignty dispute, Argentine carriers route calls to +500 normally. Dial 00 500 followed by the 5-digit number. There's no block or special procedure.
For more South American and territory dialing guides, see Argentina (+54), United Kingdom (+44), or browse the full country code directory.