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How to Set Up International Call Forwarding: Complete Guide

Master international call forwarding setup. Learn methods, costs, carrier limitations, and use cases for staying reachable worldwide.

By The NomaPhone Team
call forwardinginternational forwardingphone setup

You’re moving to Portugal for six months but need to keep your US number active for banking, family, and clients. Calls to your US number should reach you in Lisbon without paying $3/minute roaming.

International call forwarding solves this problem. When someone calls your home country number, it automatically redirects to wherever you are. Your caller pays normal rates, you stay reachable, and everyone’s happy.

This guide shows you how to set up call forwarding internationally.

What Is International Call Forwarding

Understanding the basics.

How It Works

Simple version:

  1. Someone calls your US number: +1-415-555-1234
  2. US carrier forwards call internationally
  3. Your phone rings in Portugal: +351-91-XXX-XXXX
  4. You answer like a normal call

For the caller:

  • Dials your regular number
  • Doesn’t know you’re abroad
  • Pays normal rate (often free on their plan)

For you:

  • Receive calls anywhere
  • Pay forwarding charges
  • Works transparently

Types of Forwarding

Unconditional forwarding:

  • All calls forward automatically
  • Always active
  • Simplest setup
  • Most common for international

Conditional forwarding:

  • Forward if busy
  • Forward if no answer
  • Forward if unreachable
  • More complex, carrier-dependent

Selective forwarding:

  • Forward specific numbers only
  • Time-based rules
  • Requires advanced system

Carrier-Based Forwarding

Using your existing mobile carrier.

US Carriers

AT&T:

  • International forwarding: Available
  • Cost: $0.30-1.50/min forwarding fee + local charges
  • Setup: Dial 21[international number]# then call button
  • Disable: ##21# then call
  • Works on postpaid plans primarily

Verizon:

  • International forwarding: Available with restrictions
  • Cost: $1-2/min typical
  • Setup: Call customer service or use app
  • Some plans don’t allow international forwarding
  • Check before traveling

T-Mobile:

  • International forwarding: Limited
  • Better option: Use WiFi calling instead
  • Some plans include international roaming
  • Forward domestically, use VoIP from abroad

Sprint (now T-Mobile):

  • Similar to T-Mobile
  • International forwarding available but expensive

UK Carriers

Vodafone UK:

  • International forwarding: Available
  • Cost: £1-2/min forwarding
  • Setup: Settings or customer service
  • Works on most plans

EE:

  • International forwarding: Available
  • Cost: £1.50-2.50/min
  • Setup: My EE app or call service
  • Postpaid only typically

Three UK:

  • International forwarding: Available
  • Cost: £1-2/min
  • “Feel At Home” roaming may be better option in some countries

O2:

  • International forwarding: Available
  • Cost: £1.20-2/min
  • Setup via My O2 app

Problems with Carrier Forwarding

Very expensive:

  • $1-2+ per minute
  • 60-minute call: $60-120
  • Monthly costs add up fast

Not always available:

  • Prepaid plans often excluded
  • Some carriers block it
  • May need to call customer service

Billing surprises:

  • Charges appear later
  • Can be confusing on bill
  • May hit spending limits

Quality issues:

  • Multiple network hops
  • Potential delays
  • Call drops more common

Virtual Number Forwarding

Much better solution for most people.

How Virtual Numbers Work for Forwarding

Setup:

  1. Get virtual number in home country
  2. Configure forwarding to your current number
  3. Give virtual number to everyone
  4. Calls forward to you anywhere

Example:

  • Virtual US number: +1-415-555-9999 ($2.19/month)
  • Forward to Portugal mobile: +351-91-XXX-XXXX
  • Family calls “US number” (local for them)
  • Reaches you in Portugal
  • You pay per-minute forwarding

Cost Structure

Monthly fee:

  • Virtual number: $2-4/month
  • Varies by country

Per-minute forwarding:

  • USA virtual → Portugal mobile: $0.03-0.10/min
  • UK virtual → Thailand mobile: $0.05-0.15/min
  • Much cheaper than carrier forwarding

Example calculation:

  • Virtual US number: $2.19/month
  • 100 minutes received: × $0.03 = $3
  • Total: $5.19/month

vs. Carrier forwarding:

  • 100 minutes × $1.50 = $150/month

Savings: $145/month

NomaPhone:

  • USA: $2.19/month
  • UK: $1.90/month
  • Forwarding: $0.03/min typical
  • Easy setup

Twilio:

  • Developer-focused
  • Flexible but complex
  • Similar pricing
  • Requires technical knowledge

Google Voice:

  • USA only
  • Requires US residency
  • Free forwarding within US
  • International forwarding limited

Skype:

  • Multiple countries
  • $3-6/month
  • Easy for non-technical users
  • Limited forwarding options

Setting Up Virtual Number Forwarding

Step-by-step:

  1. Choose provider (NomaPhone, Twilio, etc.)

  2. Select number:

    • Choose country
    • Pick area code (if local presence matters)
    • Activate number

  3. Configure forwarding:

    • Enter destination number (where you are)
    • Include country code: +351-91-XXX-XXXX
    • Test immediately

  4. Set forwarding rules (advanced):

    • Business hours only
    • Forward to voicemail after X rings
    • Different numbers for different times

  5. Notify contacts:

    • Send new number to family/friends
    • Update business cards
    • Change bank records
    • Update online accounts

  6. Test thoroughly:

    • Call from another phone
    • Check audio quality
    • Verify caller ID
    • Ensure voicemail works

Use Cases and Scenarios

When call forwarding makes sense.

Extended Travel (3-12 months)

Problem: Gone long enough that people need to reach you.

Solution:

  • Virtual number in home country
  • Forward to local number where you are
  • Change forwarding destination as you move

Example:

  • Start in Thailand: Forward to Thai number
  • Move to Vietnam: Update to Vietnamese number
  • Move to Portugal: Update to Portuguese number
  • One virtual number, always reachable

Cost: $2-4/month + minimal per-minute

Maintaining Business Presence

Problem: Clients expect home country number.

Solution:

  • Virtual business number
  • Forward to wherever you work
  • Professional appearance
  • No location questions

Example:

  • US consultant in Bali
  • US virtual number on business card
  • Forwards to Balinese number
  • Clients think you’re in US

Family Accessibility

Problem: Parents won’t call expensive international number.

Solution:

  • Virtual number in their country
  • They call “local”
  • Reaches you internationally
  • Affordable for everyone

Example:

  • You’re in Mexico
  • Parents in UK
  • UK virtual number: £1.60/month
  • They call local, you receive in Mexico
  • They pay nothing extra, you pay pennies/minute

Banking and 2FA

Problem: Bank requires home country number.

Solution:

  • Virtual number receives SMS
  • Forward calls if needed
  • Keep account active
  • Receive verification codes

Limitations: Some banks detect and block virtual numbers.

Multi-Country Nomading

Problem: Moving frequently, need stable contact.

Solution:

  • Virtual number stays same
  • Update forwarding destination
  • Contacts don’t need updates
  • Continuous reachability

Advanced Forwarding Setups

For complex situations.

Multiple Virtual Numbers

Setup:

  • US number for US contacts: Forward to current location
  • UK number for UK clients: Forward to current location
  • One physical number receives both

Cost:

  • US: $2.19/month
  • UK: $1.90/month
  • Total: $4.09/month
  • Forwarding: Pay per use

Time-Based Routing

Rules:

  • Business hours: Forward to mobile
  • After hours: Forward to voicemail
  • Weekends: Forward to different number

Requires: Provider with routing capabilities (Twilio, some VoIP services)

Geographic Routing

Rules:

  • Calls from US: Route to US support number
  • Calls from UK: Route to UK number
  • Calls from Asia: Route to mobile

Requires: Advanced provider, custom setup

Sequential Forwarding

Chain calls:

  1. Try mobile number (ring 15 seconds)
  2. If no answer, try WhatsApp call
  3. If still no answer, voicemail

Requires: VoIP system with sophisticated rules

Limitations and Considerations

What call forwarding can’t do.

Forwarding Loops

Problem: Forward A to B, B forwards to C, C forwards to A.

Result: Call never connects or drops.

Solution: Plan forwarding carefully, test thoroughly.

Emergency Services

Critical limitation:

  • Forwarded calls cannot reach 911/112/999
  • Virtual numbers have no physical location
  • Emergency services can’t locate you

Always have: Real local SIM for emergencies.

Caller ID Issues

What recipient sees:

  • Sometimes original caller ID (ideal)
  • Sometimes virtual number
  • Sometimes “Unknown”

Depends on:

  • Forwarding provider
  • Receiving carrier
  • Technical configuration

SMS Limitations

Virtual numbers can:

  • Receive SMS usually
  • Forward SMS (provider-dependent)
  • Some 2FA works

But:

  • MMS often doesn’t work
  • Some banks block virtual numbers
  • Delivery can be delayed

Quality Concerns

Multiple hops affect quality:

  • Caller → Home country network → Internet → Your location
  • Each hop adds potential issues
  • Delay, echo, dropped calls possible

Minimize by:

  • Good internet connection
  • Quality provider
  • Test before important calls

Cost Comparisons

Real scenarios with actual costs.

Scenario 1: US Expat in Europe (1 year)

Carrier forwarding:

  • 200 minutes/month received
  • AT&T forwarding: $1/min
  • Monthly: $200
  • Annual: $2,400

Virtual number:

  • US number: $2.19/month
  • Forwarding: 200 × $0.05 = $10/month
  • Monthly total: $12.19
  • Annual: $146.28

Savings: $2,253.72 annually

Scenario 2: Digital Nomad (Moving Frequently)

Without forwarding:

  • Give out new number each country
  • Contacts can’t reach you
  • Miss important calls
  • Unprofessional

Virtual number:

  • One number forever
  • Update forwarding destination
  • Always reachable
  • Cost: $2-4/month

Value: Priceless for accessibility

Scenario 3: Business Owner Traveling

Problem: Clients need to reach you.

Carrier roaming:

  • $10/day
  • 180 days = $1,800

Virtual number + local SIM:

  • Virtual: $2.19/month × 6 = $13.14
  • Local SIMs: $20/month × 6 = $120
  • Forwarding: ~$30 over 6 months
  • Total: $163.14

Savings: $1,636.86

Setting Up Voicemail with Forwarding

Handling missed calls.

Options for Voicemail

Virtual number provider voicemail:

  • Usually included
  • Transcription often available
  • Email notifications
  • Best option typically

Carrier voicemail:

  • On your physical SIM
  • Works but may be expensive
  • International retrieval costs

Google Voice (if available):

  • Free transcription
  • Email notifications
  • US only

Voicemail Forwarding Rules

Typical setup:

  • Ring mobile for 20 seconds
  • If no answer, go to voicemail
  • Receive voicemail via email
  • Transcription included

Cost: Usually included in virtual number fee.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Fixing forwarding issues.

Problem: Calls Not Forwarding

Check:

  • Forwarding enabled on account
  • Destination number correct (include +country code)
  • Account has credit (if prepaid)
  • Number not blocked by carrier

Test: Call your virtual number from different phone.

Problem: Poor Call Quality

Causes:

  • Weak internet where you are
  • Multiple network hops
  • Congested routes

Solutions:

  • Improve your internet connection
  • Try different forwarding destination
  • Contact provider if persistent

Problem: High Forwarding Bills

Causes:

  • Spam calls forwarding
  • Calls you didn’t expect
  • Per-minute charges adding up

Solutions:

  • Enable call screening
  • Whitelist important numbers only
  • Consider voicemail for non-critical calls
  • Set spending alerts

Problem: Can’t Receive SMS

Some virtual numbers don’t support SMS forwarding.

Solutions:

  • Check provider capabilities
  • Use email-to-SMS gateway
  • Get second number for SMS only
  • Use app-based 2FA when possible

Alternatives to Call Forwarding

Other ways to stay reachable.

WiFi Calling

If carrier supports:

  • Keep home number active
  • Use over internet abroad
  • No forwarding needed
  • Usually free

Requirements:

  • Carrier must support (T-Mobile, EE, etc.)
  • Good internet connection
  • May need VPN to appear in home country

Dual SIM Phones

Strategy:

  • Keep home SIM active
  • Add local SIM where you are
  • Switch between them
  • No forwarding cost

Downsides:

  • Roaming charges for receiving on home SIM
  • May not work for all carriers
  • Data only on one SIM at a time (most phones)

Voicemail + Callback

Low-tech solution:

  • Let calls go to voicemail
  • Listen to voicemail via email/app
  • Call back using cheap method
  • Avoids forwarding costs

Good for:

  • Non-urgent calls
  • When you don’t need immediate reachability
  • Very cost-sensitive situations

Quick Reference Guide

Carrier forwarding costs:

  • AT&T: $0.30-1.50/min
  • Verizon: $1-2/min
  • UK carriers: £1-2.50/min
  • Very expensive

Virtual number forwarding:

  • Number: $2-4/month
  • Forwarding: $0.03-0.15/min
  • Much more affordable

Best use cases:

  • Extended travel (3+ months)
  • Business presence needed
  • Family wants to reach you affordably
  • Banking/2FA requirements
  • Moving between countries frequently

Setup steps:

  1. Get virtual number in home country
  2. Configure forwarding to current location
  3. Test thoroughly
  4. Update contacts with new number
  5. Change forwarding destination as you move

Limitations:

  • No emergency services
  • Some quality concerns
  • SMS may not work everywhere
  • Banks may block virtual numbers

Alternatives:

  • WiFi calling (if carrier supports)
  • Dual SIM phones
  • Voicemail + callback

Cost comparison (200 min/month):

  • Carrier forwarding: $200-300/month
  • Virtual number: $12-20/month
  • Savings: $180-280/month

Recommended providers:

  • NomaPhone: $2-4/month numbers
  • Twilio: Flexible, technical
  • Google Voice: Free US only
  • Skype: Easy, multiple countries

Need a virtual number with call forwarding? NomaPhone offers virtual numbers in USA ($2.19/month), UK ($1.90/month), and more, with affordable international forwarding. Join the waitlist at nomaphone.com.