How to Get a Google Voice Phone Number for Your Business?

Before getting a Google Voice number for your business, confirm that it is available in your country, since it only supports select regions. You also need a paid Google Workspace account with admin access, a valid local business address, and the paid business plan, as the free version is for personal use only.

• Availability Check: You can get a Google Voice number in 14 countries: Belgium, Canada. Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US. If your country is not on the list, you cannot get a local virtual phone number. Always verify your specific region’s support before buying a plan.
• "Personal" vs. "Business” Plans: The free version is for individuals and only offers US numbers with very basic features. Businesses need the paid version to access professional tools, including IVR (Interactive Voice Response). You must pay a monthly fee per user to use this for your company.
• Google Workspace Account: You must have a paid Google Workspace account (e.g., name@yourcompany.com). Personal (@gmail.com) accounts do not qualify for the business version. You further need Admin Console access, since only an admin can add Google Voice, manage billing, buy licenses, assign numbers, and handle setup.
• Local Business Address: You need a registered physical address in the country where you want your phone number. For example, a Portuguese number requires a valid Portuguese service address for legal compliance. Google uses this for emergency services and to follow local telecom laws.
• Existing Number for Verification: Google requires a real mobile or landline number to verify your identity before issuing a virtual business number. This number is used only for verification and security checks. Make sure you have access to it during setup, as you may need to receive a call or SMS code.
• Number Porting Option: If you already have a business phone number, you do not need to give it up. Google allows you to port or transfer your existing landline or mobile number into Google Voice. This helps established businesses keep their brand identity and avoid confusing customers.
• Texting Limitations (International): Calling works in supported countries, but SMS features are limited. Text messaging is mainly available for US and Canadian numbers. In many other countries, you may only be able to use the number for voice calls.

To get a Google Voice number for your business, start by purchasing a Google Workspace plan and connecting your business domain. Then, log in to the Admin Console, add a Google Voice subscription, enter your business address, choose an available number, and assign it to a user to begin using it.

Phase 1: Setting Up Your Google Workspace

• Step 1 - Choose Your Plan: Select a Business Starter, Standard, Plus or Enterprise plan at workspace.google.com to host your professional email.

1. Starter: $7.56
2. Standard: $15.12
3. Plus: $26.40
4. Enterprise: Contact sales team

• Step 2 - Connect Your Domain: Link your existing business domain or purchase a new one to create custom email addresses like info@yourbrand.pt.

Phase 2: Adding Google Voice to Your Workspace

• Step 3 - Navigate the Google Admin Console: Log in at admin.google.com and go to Billing > Get more services to locate the Google Voice add-on options.
• Step 4 - Select Your Voice Subscription Tier: Choose the plan that fits your scale to unlock your virtual business number and professional calling features.
  1. Starter ($10/mo/user): Best for small teams of up to 10 users needing basic domestic calling.
  2. Standard ($20/mo/user): Ideal for growing businesses requiring unlimited users and professional auto-attendants.
  3. Premier ($30/mo/user): Designed for international organizations needing advanced reporting and multi-country support.

Phase 3: Adding Google Voice to Your Workspace

• Step 5 - Add Your Office Location: Enter your physical business address in the Voice settings to ensure your number complies with local emergency service regulations.
• Step 6 - Search for Your Number: Use the search tool to filter available phone numbers by your preferred city, region, or local area code.
• Step 7 - Assign to Team Members: Link the chosen number to a specific user's email address so they can immediately begin using the service on any device.

To use your Google Voice business number effectively, install the mobile app or use the desktop version to manage calls from any device. Sync it with Google Calendar to control availability, set up an auto-attendant for professional call routing, create ring groups so no call goes unanswered, and enable voicemail-to-email for faster follow-ups.

1. Install the Mobile App: Download Google Voice on iOS or Android to manage business calls and texts separately from your personal life on your existing phone.
2. Use the Desktop Version: Access Google Voice from your browser to handle professional communications while working on your laptop or PC.
3. Sync Your Calendar: Connect your Google Calendar to automatically enable "Do Not Disturb" during meetings or after your scheduled work hours.
4. Set Up an Auto-Attendant: Create a professional greeting menu (e.g., "Press 1 for Sales") to direct callers to the right person without manual effort.
5. Create Ring Groups: Configure your settings so multiple team members’ phones ring at the same time, ensuring a customer never hits a dead end.
6. Enable Voicemail-to-Email: Receive instant email notifications with written transcripts of your voicemails so you can respond to clients even faster.

Google Voice gives you a simple way to manage calls, texts, and voicemail from one place. It works well for small teams. The setup is clear, and the pricing stays predictable. For many startups, it covers the basics without heavy hardware or contracts.

However, the platform has limits. It supports only a small list of countries, and advanced features like deep call analytics or AI insights are missing. Many growing teams start looking for a reliable Google Voice alternative for global business communication when they need wider coverage and smarter tools.