I notice that these calls generate a local call charge on my eircom bill despite the fact that I have a deal which includes all National calls. This seems unfair, however, I have found a way around it. Find the national number for who you are ringing and it is covered under your package. This works for Government Departments and also for MBNA who publish the number as an International contact - Hope this helps someone else
Sometimes on correspondence as an alternative to the 1890 number a 00353 ..... number is given if calling from abroad and I would use this number with the Irish prefix dialling code.
Thanks for sharing that,this has been a source of annoyance for years,have a hand written list of all the insurers "free numbers" but this is way more comprehensive.
Those 1890 numbers have been bugging me for years as I have the package that does not include them. Like other posters I have made out my own personal list of VHI, Revenue, other Government Depts. and commonly used Numbers. Many thanks for that website T McGibney
I also send webtexts when at home. Very handy for keeping in contact with family when they are on holidays abroad.
At least the 1850 is a one-off 5 cent charge on the packages but 1890 is AFAIK per minute.
UPC appear to be improving their Anytime World package to include 400 minutes per month to ring quite a list of countries from 5th September for an extra €2 per month = €18 now instead of €16 which seems good.