A Dutch number helps when you move to the Netherlands, study or work there, sign up for Dutch websites and apps, or want a second WhatsApp number that keeps your private number to yourself. This guide explains what a +31 number is, how to get one online in three steps, what it costs and how it compares with a Netherlands eSIM.
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What is a +31 phone number?
+31 is the international country code of the Netherlands. A Dutch number in international format starts with +31, followed by the number without its leading 0. If you see a call or message from +31, it comes from a Dutch number.
Can you get a Dutch phone number without living in the Netherlands?
Yes. A classic Dutch SIM card has to be bought from a Dutch provider and inserted into your phone. A Simbye number works differently: it is a real Dutch +31 number that lives in the Simbye app instead of on a SIM card. You order it online from anywhere, nothing is installed, and your current SIM or eSIM stays untouched. It works on any phone, tablet or computer with internet.
How to get a Dutch phone number online in 3 steps
- Choose your term and pay. Open the Dutch number page or the Simbye app, pick 30 days, 6 months or 12 months, and decide whether you also want to receive calls.
- Get your number. Your +31 number is assigned right after checkout. You find it in your order confirmation, on your order page and in the Simbye app under "My SIM".
- Receive SMS. Enter the number in WhatsApp, Telegram or any other service. The code appears within seconds in the app and on your order page, ready to copy.
What can you use a Dutch +31 number for?
| Use | Works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Registering WhatsApp | ✓ | Choose Netherlands (+31) and enter the number without a leading 0 |
| SMS codes from Telegram, Signal and other apps | ✓ | Over 200 apps; compatibility may vary by service |
| Sign-ups on Dutch websites and marketplaces | ✓ | For services that ask for a +31 number |
| Friends, landlords or schools texting you | ✓ | Messages appear in the app and on your order page |
| Receiving calls | ✓ | With the calls add-on; calls ring in the Simbye app |
| Making calls or sending SMS | ✗ | The number receives; it does not send |
Some services, banks in particular, decide for themselves which numbers they accept. If one of them asks for a different number, use your regular number for that service.
How to use your Dutch number for WhatsApp
- Open WhatsApp and start the registration. To move an existing account, go to Settings, Account, Change number.
- Choose Netherlands (+31) in the country list and type the rest of your number without a leading 0.
- Open the Simbye app or your order page. The six-digit WhatsApp code appears there within seconds.
- Enter the code in WhatsApp. Then turn on two-step verification in WhatsApp to protect the account with your own PIN.
WhatsApp on a second phone, or WhatsApp Business next to your personal account, works the same way. More tips are in our guide on getting a number for WhatsApp verification.
How much does a Dutch phone number cost?
| Term | SMS | SMS and incoming calls |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 10,95€ | 13,95€ |
| 6 months | 52,95€ | 54,95€ |
| 12 months | 93,95€ | 96,95€ |
You pay once for the term you choose. There is no subscription and no contract: the number simply ends unless you renew it. The calls add-on is a one-time extra for the whole term and stays included when you renew.
Which term fits? 30 days covers a short stay or a one-off sign-up. 6 months suits a semester, an internship or a longer project. 12 months is the lowest price per month if you want to keep the number for good.
Dutch number or Netherlands eSIM: which do you need?
A phone number and mobile data are two different things. If you travel to the Netherlands, you may want both.
| Feature | Dutch +31 number | Netherlands eSIM | Netherlands eSIM with calls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone number | Dutch +31 | None | French +33 |
| Mobile data | No | 1 to 50 GB or unlimited | 20, 50 or 100 GB |
| Networks | Not needed | KPN, Odido, Vodafone | Orange |
| Installation | Nothing to install | eSIM by link or QR code | eSIM by link or QR code |
| Best for | WhatsApp, SMS codes, being reachable on +31 | Internet during your stay | Calls and data across Europe |
You can combine both: install the Netherlands eSIM from 1,95€ for mobile data and keep a +31 number for Dutch sign-ups and messages. If you mainly want to call and text across Europe, the Netherlands eSIM with calls comes with a French +33 number.
Your own number vs. public SMS websites
Websites that list "numbers online" share each number with everyone who visits. Anyone can read the codes, many apps have blocked those numbers, and an account registered on one of them can be taken over by the next visitor. A Simbye number is assigned to you alone and is never shared while it is active, so only you see your codes.
How to keep your Dutch number
Renew before your term ends, in the Simbye app or on your order page, and you keep exactly the same number. Your WhatsApp and other accounts stay verified, so you never have to switch numbers. If a term runs out without renewal, the number goes back to our pool and can later be assigned to someone else.
Code not arriving? Quick fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The app says the number is invalid | A leading 0 or the country code was typed twice | Choose Netherlands (+31) and type the number without a leading 0 |
| No SMS after 60 seconds | The message is still on its way or was not sent | Refresh the inbox in the app or on your order page, then request a new code |
| The number is missing in the app | The app account uses a different email address | Sign in to the Simbye app with the email address from your order |
| A service refuses the number | The service only accepts certain number types | Use your regular number for that service, or ask our support |
Still stuck? Our support team checks your number live in the chat. The Simbye app is available for iPhone and Android.
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Dutch phone number: frequently asked questions
What is the country code of the Netherlands?
The country code of the Netherlands is +31. In international format you write +31 and then the number without its leading 0.
How can I get a Dutch phone number from abroad?
Order a Dutch number online from Simbye. Choose 30 days, 6 months or 12 months, pay, and your +31 number is assigned right after checkout. Nothing is installed and you do not need to be in the Netherlands.
Can I use a Dutch virtual number for WhatsApp?
Yes. Choose Netherlands (+31) in WhatsApp, type the number without a leading 0, and the code appears within seconds in the Simbye app and on your order page.
Do I need a SIM card or an eSIM for a Dutch number?
No. Your Simbye number needs no SIM card, no eSIM and no QR code. It works on any phone, tablet or computer with internet, and your current SIM stays untouched.
Can I receive calls on a Dutch number?
Yes, with the calls add-on. Incoming calls ring in the Simbye app. Making calls and sending SMS are not included.
Is it a real Dutch number?
Yes. You get a real Dutch phone number with the country code +31. It is assigned to you alone and is never shared while it is active.
Can I keep my Dutch number?
Yes. Renew before your term ends, in the Simbye app or on your order page, and you keep exactly the same number. There is no contract, so you only pay when you renew.
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