Guide to Making Calls to Germany: How to Dial German Phone Numbers

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This Germany phone dialing guide provides you with a universal formula to quickly contact Germany from abroad. Please remember the following dialing sequence:

International exit code + 49 (Germany country code) + number without the leading 0

For example, to call a Berlin landline (area code 030) from mainland China, you need to dial: 00-49-30-xxxxxxx

Master this core rule, and calling Germany becomes very simple.

Key Points

• When calling Germany from abroad, start with “+49” and remove the “0” at the beginning of the area code or mobile number.
• When making inter-city calls within Germany, you must keep the “0” in front of the area code.
• German mobile numbers require removing the leading “0” whether dialed from inside or outside Germany.
• Before calling Germany, understand international call charges to avoid high bills.
• In Germany, for emergencies, dial “112” for medical and fire services, and “110” for police.

International Calling to Germany

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Calling Germany from anywhere in the world follows a unified logic. Once you understand the three key components, the entire process becomes very clear. This detailed Germany phone dialing guide will break down each step for you.

Calling German Landlines

To successfully dial a German landline number, you need to divide the number into three parts: the international exit code of your country, Germany’s country code, and the city area code and local number without the leading “0”.

1. Step 1: Enter the International Exit Code The international exit code is the instruction to the phone system that “this call is going abroad”. The exit code may differ by country or region. For example, from mainland China, dial [00](https://lingvanex.com/support/en/how-to-call-germany-from-china/) first, while from the US or Canada, dial 011 first.

   What is an international exit code? The international exit code, also known as the international direct dialing prefix, is the trunk prefix used to initiate international calls. You must enter this code before the country code.

2. Step 2: Enter Germany’s Country Code Germany’s country code is 49. This number was assigned by the International Telecommunication Union in the 1960s, when the “3” and “4” series were reserved for European countries.

3. Step 3: Enter the Area Code and Local Number Without the “0” This is the most critical and error-prone step. German city area codes include a “0” when used domestically (e.g., Berlin is [030](https://www.withtap.com/blog/49-country-code-germany)). When dialing from abroad, you must remove this “0”.

   Key Points of the “Remove 0 Rule”

   • Incorrect dialing: +49 030 12345678
   • Correct dialing: +49 30 12345678

   This rule applies to all German city area codes, regardless of length. The leading “0” is only for domestic calls within Germany.

Putting it all together, the complete formula for calling a German landline from abroad is: International exit code + 49 + area code without 0 + local number

For your convenience, here are the area codes for some major German cities:

Calling German Mobile Phones

The rules for calling German mobile numbers are very similar to landlines, with the core still being the “remove 0 rule”.

German mobile numbers typically start with 015, 016, or 017, followed by 8 to 9 digits. When dialing from abroad, you also need to remove the leading “0”.

• Domestic mobile number format: 017x-xxxxxxxx
• International mobile number format: +49-17x-xxxxxxxx

The complete formula for calling a German mobile is: International exit code + 49 + mobile prefix without 0 + number

Historically, specific mobile prefixes were tied to operators, such as 0171 belonging to Deutsche Telekom, 0172 to Vodafone, and 0176 to O2 (Telefónica). However, due to Germany’s number portability (MNP) policy, users can keep their original numbers when switching operators, so it is no longer possible to accurately determine the carrier by prefix.

Examples from Major Countries

To help you understand more intuitively, we have prepared several examples. Remember, if using a smartphone, you can directly use the + sign instead of the international exit code.

Common Country/Region International Exit Codes

Example 1: Calling a Berlin Landline from the US Suppose the Berlin number you want to call is (030) 1234 5678.

1. Enter the US international exit code: 011
2. Enter Germany’s country code: 49
3. Enter Berlin’s area code without “0”: 30
4. Enter the local number: 12345678 Ultimately, you need to dial: 011-49-30-12345678

Example 2: Calling a German Mobile from Mainland China Using a Phone Suppose the German mobile number you want to contact is 0176 8765 4321.

1. Enter the + sign (or China’s international exit code 00)
2. Enter Germany’s country code: 49
3. Enter the mobile number without “0”: 17687654321 Ultimately, dial on your phone: +4917687654321

📞 Friendly Reminder: Noteinternational call charges Calling Germany from abroad may incur high international long-distance fees. Depending on your carrier, rates may range from a few cents per minute to up to $3.00. Before making the call, it is recommended to consult your service provider to understand specific rates or suitable international calling plans to avoid unexpected bills.

We hope this Germany phone dialing guide helps you successfully connect with friends or colleagues in Germany.

Calling Within Germany

When you are in Germany, the rules for making calls differ from dialing from abroad. You no longer need the international exit code or Germany’s country code 49. Calling within Germany mainly depends on whether you and the person you are contacting are in the same city. This section of the Germany phone dialing guide will detail three domestic calling scenarios for you.

Local Calls in the Same City

If you are in a German city and need to call a landline in the same city, the rules are very simple. In Germany, this is called a “local number” call.

You only need to dial the other party’s local number directly, without adding the city area code. The German phone network system identifies this as a local call based on your dialing method.

Local Call Tip You may sometimes see a very short phone number on local store window ads. This is because the store owner assumes you already know the area code of the city you are in, so only the local number is provided.

For example, in Berlin, to call another Berlin local number 901820.

• You only need to dial: 901820

This method applies to all landline calls within German cities.

Inter-City Long-Distance Calls

When you need to call a landline in another German city, the situation changes. At this point, you must add the full city area code before the local number.

The key rule here is the opposite of international dialing: You must dial the “0” in front of the area code. This “0” is the identifier for long-distance calls within Germany.

Take calling a Hamburg landline from Munich as an example, assuming Hamburg’s local number is 1234567:

1. First, you need to know Hamburg’s area code is 040.
2. Then, dial the full area code 040.
3. Finally, dial the local number 1234567.

The complete number you need to dial is: 0401234567.

For your convenience, here is a list of domestic area codes for some major German cities:

Calling Mobiles Within Germany

The rules for calling any German mobile number within Germany are uniform and the simplest. Regardless of which city you are in or whether you are using a landline or mobile, the dialing method is exactly the same.

You only need to dial the full mobile number starting with “0”. German mobile numbers typically start with 015, 016, or 017, and they are not tied to specific geographic areas.

• German mobile number format: 01xx xxxxxxxx
• Dialing method: Dial directly 01xx xxxxxxxx

Note: Call Plans and Charges In Germany, charges for calling mobiles and landlines may differ. Although many new phone plans no longer distinguish, some traditional or basic plans may still charge higher rates for mobile calls, such as a few cents per minute. It is recommended to check your phone plan’s specific rates before use.

Germany Phone Dialing Guide: Number Structure Analysis

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Understanding the composition of German phone numbers can help you dial with more confidence. The final part of this Germany phone dialing guide will analyze the internal structure of numbers and provide a list of important emergency numbers.

Detailed Breakdown of Number Components

A complete German phone number typically consists of several parts. Understanding the function of these parts allows you to easily identify different types of numbers.

• Country Code (Ländervorwahl): Germany’s country code is +49.
• Area Code (Ortsnetzkennzahl): This is the code routed to a specific city or region, usually 2 to 5 digits. Germans call it Ortsnetzkennzahl, meaning “local network code”.
• Local Number (Rufnummer): This is the number assigned to a specific user.

Unlike some countries, the length of German area codes and local numbers is not fixed. This is known as an “open numbering plan”.

German Number Format Examples

• Landline: +49 30 xxxxxxxx (Berlin)
• Toll-free: 0800 xxxxxxx (domestic dialing)

To give you a clearer understanding of its characteristics, you can refer to the following table for a simple comparison with UK numbers:

Important Emergency and Special Numbers

When living or traveling in Germany, be sure to save the following important numbers in your phone. These numbers are crucial in emergencies and can be dialed for free.

Remember the Key Difference 112 is primarily for medical and fire emergencies, while 110 is specifically for contacting police. In an emergency with an unclear situation, dialing either number will connect you to an operator who will transfer you to the correct service.

Understanding these number structures and emergency contacts will make your calls and life in Germany more relaxed and safe.

We hope this Germany phone dialing guide is helpful to you. Calling Germany is actually very simple; you just need to remember the two most important rules:

• Calling Germany from abroad: Use +49 as the prefix and always remove the 0 at the beginning of the city area code or mobile number.
• Inter-city calls within Germany: You must dial the full city area code, meaning keep the 0 in front of the area code.

Master these two points, and you can confidently dial any German number. Happy calling!

FAQ

Do I always need to remove the 0 in front of the number when calling Germany?

Yes, when dialing from abroad, you must remove the 0 before the area code or mobile number. However, for inter-city calls within Germany, you must keep this 0.

What is the difference between the “+” sign and international exit codes (like 00) when dialing on a mobile?

The + sign is a universal substitute for the international exit code. On a mobile phone, you can directly enter +49, and it will automatically replace with the correct international exit code for your country/region, such as 00 for China or 011 for the US. This makes international dialing more convenient.

Are calls to Germany from abroad expensive?

Costs vary widely, possibly from a few cents per minute to $3.00. Before calling, it is recommended to consult your telecom service provider to understand specific international calling plans or rates to avoid high bills.

In Germany, should I dial 110 or 112 in an emergency?

Both numbers can be dialed for free.