How to Use Germany's Country Code +49 Correctly

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Making a call to Germany is simple with the right formula. Your calling sequence is: [Your Exit Code] + 49 + [Area Code without 0] + [Local Number]. For example, to call Germany from the USA, a user in the USA dials this for a number in Berlin:

011 + 49 + 30 + XXXXXXX

This guide explains each part of Germany’s calling code. You will understand how to call Germany using the correct country code and feel confident when calling.

Key Takeaways

• To call Germany, dial your country’s exit code, then ‘49’ (Germany’s code), then the area code without the ‘0’, and finally the local number.
• Always remove the ‘0’ from German area codes or mobile prefixes when calling from another country. This is a very important step.
• Use the ‘+’ symbol on your mobile phone before ‘49’ to make international calls easier. This symbol replaces your country’s exit code.
• Check your phone plan’s rates for international calls to Germany. Calling mobile numbers can sometimes cost more than calling landlines.

If you’re calling Germany because you’re coordinating payments, deliveries, or account verification, it helps to keep “phone + money” in one checklist: confirm the number format first, then confirm the transfer details. For cross-border transactions, you’ll usually need a bank identifier like SWIFT/BIC rather than a local routing number—so it’s worth double-checking before you submit anything.

To reduce mistakes, you can quickly verify the bank identifier via BiyaPay’s SWIFT lookup, estimate conversion impact with the currency converter, and review available remittance routes on the send money page. This way, your call to Germany is not just connected—but also paired with the correct payment information.

How to Call Germany: A 4-Step Guide

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Learning how to call Germany is straightforward. The dialing process is the same whether you are contacting a landline in Munich or a mobile phone near the Black Forest. These four steps provide all the instructions you need to connect successfully.

Step 1: Dial Your Country’s Exit Code

You must first dial an exit code to signal that you are making an international call. The exit code, also known as an international dialing prefix, tells your phone provider to route the call outside your country’s network.

Tip: The exit code depends on the country you are calling from. For example, if you are in the USA or Canada, your exit code is 011.

Common exit codes include:

• USA & Canada: 011
• United Kingdom: 00
• Australia: 0011
• Most of Europe, Asia, and Africa: 00

A quick online search for “[Your Country] exit code” will give you the correct digits.

Step 2: Use Germany’s Calling Code (49)

After the exit code, you will dial Germany’s country code, which is 49. This code was assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency that has managed global telecommunication standards since the 1960s. This two-digit code directs your call specifically to Germany’s telephone network. Every call into the country from abroad must use Germany’s calling code.

Step 3: Add the Area Code & Drop the ‘0’

This is the most important step for learning how to dial German phone numbers correctly. Every German phone number includes a local area code (for landlines) or a mobile prefix (for cell phones). When written for domestic use within Germany, these codes always start with a 0.

Critical Rule: You must drop the leading 0 when calling from another country.

This 0 is a “trunk code” used only for calls made inside Germany. Forgetting to remove it is the most common reason international calls fail.

• If a Berlin number is listed as (030) XXX-XXXX, you will dial 30.
• If a mobile number is listed as 0172-XXX-XXXX, you will dial 172.

German Landline Area Codes

The country code +49 applies to all states and territories within the Federal Republic of Germany. Here are some common city area codes (remember to drop the 0):

German Mobile Phone Prefixes

Mobile numbers in Germany use non-geographic prefixes that also begin with a 0 for domestic calling. Just like with landlines, you must drop the 0. These prefixes are typically 3 or 4 digits long.

Step 4: Dial the Local Phone Number

Finally, you dial the remaining local subscriber number. This is the unique set of digits assigned to the specific landline or mobile phone. Local numbers in Germany are typically 7 to 8 digits long.

You may see a German phone number format with spaces, hyphens, or parentheses, like +49 (0)30 12 34 56 78. This is done for readability. When you are dialing, you should ignore all symbols and spaces. This is a key part of how to format German phone numbers for actual calling.

• Written Format: (030) 1234567
• How you dial from the USA: 01149301234567

Now you have the complete sequence for your calls to Germany.

Dialing Examples and Mobile Shortcuts

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Now that you understand the four steps, let’s put them into practice. Seeing the full dialing string in action makes the process clear. These examples will show you exactly how to format German phone numbers for both landlines and mobile phones.

Example: Call Germany from the USA Landline

Imagine you need to call a hotel in Munich from the USA. The hotel’s website lists their number as (089) 1234 5678. Here is how you connect the call.

Your dialing sequence will be:

1. Dial the USA Exit Code: 011
2. Dial Germany’s Country Code: 49
3. Dial the Munich Area Code: 89 (You drop the leading 0)
4. Dial the Local Number: 12345678

Putting it all together, the number you dial from the USA is:

011-49-89-12345678

Pro Tip: Check Your Phone Plan’s Rates International calls to Germany from the USA can be expensive. Some providers in the USA charge as much as $3.00 per minute for a standard call. However, adding an international calling plan can often make these calls free or significantly cheaper. Always check your provider’s rates before dialing.

Example: Calling a German Mobile Number

The process for how to dial German phone numbers on mobile is nearly identical. The only difference is you use a mobile prefix instead of a city area code. German mobile prefixes usually start with 015, 016, or 017.

Let’s say you want to contact a friend whose German mobile number is 0172-9876543. To make this call from the USA, you follow the same formula.

• Domestic Number: 0172-9876543
• Your Dialing Sequence: 011 (USA Exit Code) + 49 (Germany’s Calling Code) + 172 (Mobile Prefix without 0) + 9876543 (Local Number)

The complete number you dial is:

011-49-172-9876543

Note on Costs: Be aware that calling a mobile number in Germany can sometimes cost more than calling a landline. Rates vary by provider, so it is a good idea to confirm the costs for calls to Germany from the USA for both landline and mobile destinations.

The “+” Symbol: A Mobile Dialing Shortcut

If you are calling from a mobile phone, you have a powerful shortcut: the + symbol. This symbol automatically replaces the exit code of whatever country you are in. This is the most efficient way to make international calls and save numbers in your phone.

Using the + simplifies the German phone number format for your contacts list. It tells your phone, “I am making an international call,” without you needing to remember if the exit code is 011 (for the USA), 00 (for the UK), or 0011 (for Australia).

Here is how it works for a Berlin number (030) 1234567:

• Standard Dialing from USA: 011-49-30-1234567
• Mobile Shortcut Format: +49-30-1234567

Best Practice for Your Contacts: You should save all your international numbers in this + format. When you save a contact as +49..., your phone will be able to call Germany correctly whether you are at home in the USA or traveling in another country. It makes your contact list universally functional for international calling.

Here is a quick guide on how to format German phone numbers for your contacts:

By using this method, you will master how to call Germany from anywhere in the world.

Common Mistakes on Calls to Germany

Even with the right formula, small errors can prevent your call from connecting. You can avoid frustration by learning about these common mistakes. Understanding them ensures your calls to Germany go through smoothly every time.

Forgetting the International Exit Code

Before you dial Germany’s country code, you must dial your own country’s exit code. This code signals to your provider that you are making an international call. For example, callers in the USA must dial 011 first. If you are calling from the USA and dial 49 directly, the call will fail.

Remember: The exit code depends on where you are calling from. A caller from the USA uses 011, while someone in the UK uses 00.

Not Dropping the Leading Zero

This is the single biggest mistake people make. German phone numbers, when written for use within Germany, start with a 0. This leading zero is a trunk prefix for domestic calling only. You must remove it for all international calls.

Including this zero is a key mistake that will cause the call to fail. If a Berlin number is 030-XXXXXXX, you must dial +49-30-XXXXXXX. This rule applies to both landlines and mobile numbers. Forgetting to drop the zero is the most frequent reason that connections to Germany fail for callers from the USA.

Using the Wrong Prefix for Mobile vs. Landline

While the dialing process is similar, you should know how to tell a mobile number from a landline. This can help you anticipate potential costs, as calling a mobile from the USA can sometimes be more expensive.

You can distinguish them by their prefixes (after dropping the 0):

• Mobile Numbers: Prefixes start with a 1 (e.g., 15, 16, 17).
• Landline Numbers: Geographic area codes start with digits from 2 to 9 (e.g., Berlin is 30, Munich is 89).

Knowing this difference helps you correctly identify the number type and double-check that you have the right digits after the +49 country code.

You now have the complete formula for calling Germany. Just remember the sequence: Your Exit Code + 49 (Germany's country code) + Area Code (without the 0) + Local Number. The most critical step is dropping that leading zero from the German number.

Final Tip: ⏰ Before you dial, remember that Germany is typically 6 hours ahead of the US East Coast (EST). To save on costs for your calls, consider using apps like WhatsApp or Google Voice.

You have all the information you need. Go ahead and make that call to Germany with confidence!

FAQ

❓ What is the country code for Germany?

Germany’s country code is 49. You must dial this code after your country’s exit code for all international calls to Germany. This single code works for the entire country, including all states and cities.

✅ Do I always drop the ‘0’ from the area code?

Yes, you must always drop the leading 0 from the German area code or mobile prefix. This 0 is only for calls made within Germany. Forgetting to remove it is the most common reason calls fail.

How do I call a German mobile number?

You call a German mobile number the same way you call a landline. Use your exit code, then 49, then the mobile prefix without the 0. German mobile prefixes typically start with 15, 16, or 17.

➕ What does the ‘+’ sign mean on my phone?

The + symbol is a shortcut that automatically replaces your country’s exit code (like 011 for the USA). You should save all international contacts in the format +49 to call them easily from anywhere.