The Estonian Numbering Plan sets out the location in the numbering space of numbers, short numbers, identification codes and prefixes necessary for the provision of a communications service or other service through that service, their length requirements, intended use, and dialing procedures, as well as prefixes for services within user groups.
You can search for numbers in use from the Numbering Management Database (Enter the phone number without the country code +372 and without spaces. Click the "Otsi" button.)
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Recommendation E.164 defines the number structure and functionality used for public telecommunication.
The following legislation governs the use of numbering:
Numbering license
You need to apply for a numbering license if you want to use the numbers described in the Estonian Numbering Plan (telephone numbers, mobile telephone numbers, M2M mobile telephone numbers, 800 service numbers, 900 service numbers, e-fax numbers, personal numbers), short numbers and identification codes.
A short number is a 3-, 4- or 5-digit number used to provide a communications service or other service, allowing the user to dial the number in a simplified way.
An identification code is a combination of digits used to organize the use of the telecommunications network or parts thereof and distinguish a telecommunications operator to provide a telecommunications service. Different types are IPSC, NSPC, IIN, MNC and operator code.
A prefix is a combination of digits that enables a communication service provider to organize a communication network or parts thereof. You do not need to apply for a numbering license to use prefixes.
A numbering license entitles the user to use the numbering to provide a service:
- the quantity of numbers indicated on the numbering license, to book individual numbers and arrange for their use;
- the short number or identification code indicated on the numbering license and arrange for its use.
Numbering licenses issued for the use of numbers shall be quantity-based, i.e., based on the quantity of numbers. Numbering licenses issued for short numbers and identification codes shall be individual number-based.
The applicant must be a self-employed or legal person, an undertaking, an institution, or an organization. Numbering licenses are not issued to private individuals.
NB! When applying for a numbering license for the use of telephone and mobile numbers and identification codes, the applicant must be registered as a telecommunications operator, i.e., the applicant must have submitted a notice on commencement of economic activity to Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority data system Tarvik.
Obtaining a numbering license
- To obtain a numbering license, you must submit an application and pay the state fee. The application will be processed after the state fee is received.
- Communications undertakings applying for the first time for a quantity-based numbering license shall be required to submit with application a description of how call dialing or access to the booked number or the communications service or other service provided through it will be ensured.
- If the representative is not a member of the management board of the numbering license holder company/institution/organisation, a letter of authority confirming the person's right to submit the application must be provided.
- If the representative is not a member of the management board of the numbering license holder company/institution/organisation, a letter of authority by which the holder of the numbering license designates a representative (contact person) whom he authorizes to access the numbering management database to book, release, and carry out number portability operations.
You can apply in the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority data system JVIS (the service requires authentication via ID-card, mobile-ID, Smart-ID or eID).
If the representative does not have a power of attorney, the board member can easily provide it in the same system by logging in, choosing the company role and selecting Isik – Volitused (in the upper right corner + Lisa). Instructions
If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to [email protected].
If submitting the application in this way is not possible, the application shall be submitted digitally signed to the e-mail address [email protected] or in writing by post to the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority at Endla 10a, 10122 Tallinn.
Issuing a numbering license
The Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority will issue a numbering license within 10 working days from the date of applying if the state fee has been paid. If the application's information is incomplete, the applicant will be contacted by e-mail or telephone within 3 working days of applying. Once the deficiencies have been rectified, the numbering license will be issued within 10 working days. The applicant will be informed by e-mail when the numbering license is issued.
The numbering license is an electronic document which is granted for one year.
After issuing a quantity-based numbering license, the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority will open access to the Numbering Management Database for the number holder to book specific numbers. Number booking is the marking of an individual number in the database, which allows the holder of the numbering license to use the number booked.
After receiving a short number license or reserving quantity-based numbers, the number license holder must conclude interconnection agreements with a communication operator.
Upon expiry of the numbering license, its holder shall also be obliged to immediately cease providing the service and terminate the interconnection contracts with the communication operator.
Extending and modifying the numbering license
To extend the validity of a numbering license, its holder must apply for an extension of the license to the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority no later than 20 days before the numbering license expiry and pay the state fee.
Numbering license shall be renewed every year. In the event of renewal, all the conditions of the license shall remain in force.
Modification of a numbering license means a change in the quantity of numbers authorized to be used. The amount of numbers can be increased at any time. The amount of numbers can be reduced once a year with the renewal of the license.
To amend a numbering license, its holder must apply for a modification of the license to the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority and pay a proportionate fee for the numbers to be added for the full months remaining until the expiry of the numbering license. The period of validity of the license shall not be affected by the amendment of the numbering license.
You can extend or modify your license in the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority data system JVIS or by sending a signed application to [email protected].
A harmonized service number with social value is a six-digit, pan-European harmonized short number (HESC) in the 116 numbering range, which is included in the list of specific numbers in the Annex to Commission Decision 2007/116/EC of the European Communities (notified under document number C(2007) 249) and which may be used for the provision of an identified service with social value.
For numbering licenses for a shortcode in the 116 numbering range, an application for numbering licenses and an annex to the application must be submitted to the Authority. Harmonized Europe-wide short numbers are exempted from the state fee.
The Numbering Management Database (NBA) is a database for numbering plan management, number booking, user rights management, and number portability operations.
Access rights to the numbering management database shall be granted to the NBA contact person(s) indicated in the application for numbering authorisation after the numbering license has been granted. To add or remove NBA users later, the representative of the numbering license holder shall submit a letter of attorney to the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority.
Last updated: 27.04.2026
