Last reviewed: 2025-01-07 · Reading time: 5 minutes
How do you dial Philippines from United Arab Emirates?
- Country code
+63- Mobile numbers
-
Example:
+63 917 123 4567Mobile numbers are 10 digits starting with 9. Drop the leading 0—dial +63 917, not +63 0917.
- Landline numbers
-
Example:
+63 2 8123 4567Metro Manila uses area code 2. Provincial areas have 2-digit codes. Drop the leading 0.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Keeping the leading 0—dial +63 917, not +63 0917
- Calling late UAE evening (already past midnight in Philippines)
- Forgetting Friday is a workday in the Philippines but weekend in UAE
When is the best time to call Philippines?
Timezone: PHT (UTC+8)—Philippines is 4 hours ahead of UAE
After work
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM PHT (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM UAE time your time)
Your afternoon catches their evening. Good for calling after Philippine work hours.
Morning call
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM PHT (3:00 AM - 5:00 AM UAE time your time)
Early risers can catch family before their workday. Not ideal for most.
Weekend
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM PHT (6:00 AM - 8:00 AM UAE time your time)
UAE Friday morning = Philippine late morning. Good for longer family calls.
What should you know about calling Philippines?
The Philippines has two major carriers: Globe and Smart (including TNT
and Sun). Mobile coverage is good in cities and towns but patchy in
remote provinces and islands. Most Filipinos use mobile exclusively—
landlines are mainly for businesses.
Call quality to Metro Manila and major cities is reliable. Provincial
areas may have variable quality depending on local coverage. If calls
drop, try again—network congestion occasionally affects connections.
Cultural tips
Filipinos treasure family calls from abroad. Sunday after church is a
popular time for family conversations. Expect warm, sometimes lengthy
calls—OFW families have much to share. Sending "load" (prepaid credits)
to family is a common way to ensure they can call back.
Holidays to know
Christmas season starts in September ("Ber months") and peaks Dec 24-25.
OFWs often send extra money (aguinaldo) during Christmas. Holy Week
(March/April) sees family travel to provinces. All Saints' Day (Nov 1)
is for family cemetery visits. Sinulog, Ati-Atihan, and other fiestas
vary by region.
Alternatives to phone calls
Facebook Messenger is the dominant app in the Philippines—more popular
than WhatsApp. Many Filipino families do video calls via Messenger to
see children and elderly parents. Viber is also used. Free WiFi calling
is important since Philippine data plans can be expensive.
Frequently asked questions
What's the time difference between UAE and Philippines?
The Philippines (UTC+8) is 4 hours ahead of UAE (UTC+4).
When it's 6:00 PM in Dubai, it's 10:00 PM in Manila.
Neither country observes daylight saving, so this gap never changes.
Plan calls carefully—UAE evening is already late night in Philippines.
What are common Philippine mobile prefixes?
Globe/TM: 905, 906, 915, 916, 917, 926, 927, 935, 936, 937, 945, 955, 956, 975, 976, 977, 995, 996, 997
Smart/TNT/Sun: 907, 908, 909, 918, 919, 920, 921, 928, 929, 930, 938, 939, 946, 947, 948, 949, 950, 961, 968, 969, 998, 999
All are 10 digits after dropping the leading 0.
What are the area codes for major Philippine cities?
Metro Manila: 2
Cebu City: 32
Davao City: 82
Baguio: 74
Iloilo: 33
Bacolod: 34
Cagayan de Oro: 88
Zamboanga: 62
General Santos: 83
Angeles/Clark: 45
Why is Friday a good day to call the Philippines?
Friday is the UAE weekend but a regular workday in the Philippines.
You have the day off, and family may be available in the evening
(your afternoon). Saturday-Sunday works for both, but remember the
4-hour gap—don't call too late.
Can I send phone load to my family in the Philippines?
Yes, many services let you send prepaid credits ("load") to Philippine
mobile numbers from UAE. This helps family call you back or use data.
Globe and Smart both accept international load transfers. It's a
common practice among OFWs.
Current rates
$0.26-$0.32/min
Rates vary by mobile vs landline. Billed per minute, rounded up.
View all rates →