Germany Phone Number Format: How to Call Germany from Abroad
Germany uses the country code +49 and a variable-length numbering plan, which makes German numbers look confusing at first. Once you know the trunk-zero rule and the city-code list, dialing Germany from anywhere is straightforward.
Anatomy of a German Number
Take a typical Berlin landline: 030 12345678
- 0 — domestic trunk prefix (Germany only)
- 30 — Berlin's area code
- 12345678 — the subscriber number (Berlin uses 8 digits; smaller cities may use 6-7)
International format: +49 30 12345678 — the trunk zero disappears and +49 takes its place.
German City / Area Codes
| City | Area Code (domestic) | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin | 030 | +49 30 XXXX XXXX |
| Hamburg | 040 | +49 40 XXXX XXXX |
| Munich (München) | 089 | +49 89 XXXX XXXX |
| Frankfurt am Main | 069 | +49 69 XXXX XXXX |
| Cologne (Köln) | 0221 | +49 221 XXX XXXX |
| Stuttgart | 0711 | +49 711 XXX XXXX |
| Düsseldorf | 0211 | +49 211 XXX XXXX |
| Leipzig | 0341 | +49 341 XXX XXXX |
German Mobile Numbers
German mobiles use the prefixes 015x, 016x, 017x (operators: Telekom, Vodafone, O2). Internationally the 0 is dropped, so 0170 1234567 becomes +49 170 1234567. Unlike US mobiles, there is no separate 10-digit "area code" for a city — the prefix simply identifies the network.
Step-by-Step Dialing Examples
🌍 From the United States
- Dial the exit code 011
- Dial 49 (Germany)
- Dial the German number without the leading 0
Example — Berlin landline: 011 49 30 12345678. Munich mobile: 011 49 170 1234567.
🌍 From the UK or Europe
Dial 00 49 + number without the 0 (or use +49 on a mobile).
The Trunk Zero Rule in Practice
If a number is stored in your phone with the + already, just tap call — no exit code, no extra zero.
Emergency Numbers and Time Zone
Inside Germany, dial 112 for fire/medical emergencies and 110 for police. Germany is on Central European Time (UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer) — 6 hours ahead of New York.
FAQ
What is the country code for Germany?
+49. It replaces the German trunk prefix 0 when calling from abroad.
How many digits is a German phone number?
German numbers are variable-length: area codes have 2-5 digits and subscriber numbers 3-8 digits, for a total of roughly 6-11 digits after +49. Berlin landlines total 10 digits after the trunk zero.
Do I need to dial 0 after +49?
No. Drop the leading 0 — dialing +49 0… is the most common dialing error.
Sources: German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) numbering plan, ITU-T E.164. Verify numbers before dialing.