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International dialing

How to call Germany from United States

  • Exit code 011
  • Country code +49
  • Drop the leading 0

Reviewed by Sujan ThapaliyaLast updated

Calling Germany from United States

Dial 011 (the United States exit code), then 49 (Germany’s country code), then the local number with its leading 0 removed. So +49 30 12345678 is dialled as 011 49 30 12345678. From a mobile you can dial +49 directly instead of 011.
Dialling Germany from United States: start with 011, the exit code for United States, then 49 for Germany, then the local number with its leading 0 dropped. The diagram shows those three blocks and the leading-zero rule that catches most people out.
The + shortcut on a mobile replaces the exit code entirely, which is why it works on any SIM in any country.

The dialing sequence

Exit code from United States
011
Germany country code
+49
Trunk prefix to remove
0
Domestic numbers start with 0; drop it from abroad.
Full sequence
011 + 49 + local number (drop the leading 0)
Time in Germany
CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4).

Step by step

Dialing Germany from United States

Four steps, and the third one is where almost every failed call goes wrong.

  1. 1

    Dial 011: the exit code for United States

    011 tells the United States network that the call is leaving the country. On a mobile you can press and hold 0 to type a + instead, which works from any country and any SIM; it is the more reliable option when you travel.
  2. 2

    Dial 49: the country code for Germany

    49 is Germany's country calling code. It never changes and is the same no matter where you are calling from.
  3. 3

    Drop the leading 0 from the local number

    Numbers written for domestic use in Germany begin with 0. That digit is a national trunk prefix and is not part of the number. Remove it: +49 30 12345678 is dialled as 30 12345678 after the country code.
  4. 4

    Check the local time before you dial

    Germany is on CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) and United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4). Work out the overlap before calling; the most common cause of an unanswered international business call is simply the hour.

Worked examples

What the number looks like at each stage

These are format patterns showing digit grouping, not working numbers.

Written in GermanyDialed from United States
Landline030 12345678011 49 30 12345678
Mobile+49 1XX XXXXXXX011 49 151 12345678
From a mobile (+)n/a+49 151 12345678

One thing about Germany

Germany is unusual in having no fixed number length: a Berlin line can be six digits or eleven. Validate by prefix, never by digit count.

Frequently asked questions

How do I call Germany from the United States?
Dial 011, then 49, then the local number with its leading 0 removed. For example, +49 30 12345678 is dialled as 011 49 30 12345678.
What is the country code for Germany?
+49. From United States you reach it by dialling 011 first, or by dialling + directly from a mobile.
Do I include the 0 when calling Germany?
No. The leading 0 is only used inside Germany. Including it from abroad is the most common reason the call fails to connect.
How do I call a Germany mobile from United States?
Exactly the same way as a landline: 011 + 49 + the mobile number without its leading 0. A Germany mobile in international format looks like +49 151 12345678.
What is the time difference between United States and Germany?
United States is on ET (UTC−5/−4) and Germany is on CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2). Because several of these zones observe daylight saving on different dates, check the current offset rather than assuming a fixed gap.
Is it cheaper to call Germany over the internet?
Usually, yes. Carrier international rates are typically far above VoIP per-minute rates, and calling from an owned local number also means the person you are calling sees a number they can ring back.

Sources

  1. ITU-T Recommendation E.164 — The international public telecommunication numbering plan — International Telecommunication UnionThe international number format, the 15-digit maximum, and how country codes and national numbers compose.
  2. ITU-T International Numbering Resources — International Telecommunication UnionThe assignment of country calling codes and the published national numbering plans they belong to.

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