Yes, the traditional, polite way of answering the phone is saying [last name], so that the caller knows that he didn’t dial a wrong number (children living with their parents should say [first name, last name] to clarify that they aren’t the parent).

I still have this habit from when I was young (that’d be last century’s sixties).

But in more modern times many Germans became wary of telling their name to strangers who might just have dialed a random number to hear what they would get, so it became quite common to just hear “Hallo” or “Ja”.

Business rules, of course, are different.

HG

Nothing more than a 'hello' or 'good morning/good afternoon' is usually necessary here in the UK. If it's a relative or family friend calling, they usually just continue with whatever they want since they recognise my voice. If it's a business or company calling, they'll go on with their thing. ("I'm calling to talk to you about [whatever]...") or will ask who they're talking to if they need to talk to say, my Mum or whoever.

Since I'm not the oldest, I don't remember a time of answering with your phone number here in the UK, but I can't say it didn't happen so I dunno. :P

I know quite a few people who don't answer the telephone like that, but my parents (and my sister) still do when they're not expecting the call. I think it's one of those old fashioned things that is slowly dying out.

I've never heard anyone answer their phone with "[last name] residence" before, but that may be just me.

You usually get "hello" or "shalom". Businesses and services usually get "[name of business/service], how can I help?".