Italy Calling Code: +39
Complete guide to calling Italy — international dialing code, step-by-step instructions, and FAQ.
How to Call Italy from Abroad
📞 Step-by-Step Dialing Guide
- Dial your country's exit code (e.g. 011 from US, 00 from most countries, + from mobile)
- Dial +39 — the country calling code for Italy
- Dial the local phone number (area code + subscriber number)
About Italy Calling Code
To reach Italy from another country, first dial the international calling code +39 — assigned by the ITU — followed by the local number. Italy is located in Europe, in Southern Europe.
Italy is known locally as Italia — Rome is the capital. When saving an international contact, write the number in full international format with +39 so it works from any country.
International calling codes follow the ITU-T standards E.123 and E.164, which define how phone numbers are written and dialed across borders. The prefix you dial after the exit code tells the global telephone network which national network to route the call to.
Where the +39 Calling Code Is Used
The country code +39 is assigned to Italy, located in Southern Europe, with the capital Rome. This code is part of the international telephony numbering plan and is used for all calls made to Italy from outside the country.
When a number is written as +39 …, the +39 prefix directs your call to the Italy national network. After the prefix, dial the area code without its leading zero, then the subscriber number — the same pattern for landlines and mobiles.
ITU-T E.164 groups calling codes by world region; codes beginning with 3 cover the part of the world that includes Italy, in Southern Europe. Storing numbers with +39 and omitting the domestic leading zero keeps contacts dialable from anywhere.
The country code +39 is shared with Vatican City. After dialing +39, the following digits (area code + subscriber number) route the call to the correct country, so you must always include the full national number.
Italy Phone Number Formats
The ITU E.164 format for Italy numbers is +39 + area code + subscriber number, used for landlines and mobiles alike. Here is the general structure:
📱 Number Structure
- International format: +39 [area code] [subscriber number]
- From abroad: exit code + +39 + local number (drop the trunk prefix 0)
- Within Italy: dial the local number directly
Numbering plans vary: closed plans use fixed-length national numbers, while open plans allow variable lengths with a trunk prefix (usually 0) that is dropped for international calls. For calls to Italy, replace the trunk zero with +39.
Time Zone in Italy
The local time in Italy follows the Europe/Rome time zone (UTC+01:00 UTC). Check the time difference before you dial so your call arrives during waking hours.
Time differences matter when calling Italy: if it is UTC+01:00 there, a morning call from Europe may reach Rome in the afternoon, while callers in the Americas should check the offset to avoid late-night calls.
If Italy observes daylight saving time, its UTC offset shifts by an hour twice a year. Double-check the current offset before time-sensitive calls, especially in spring and autumn.
Emergency Numbers in Italy
If you need urgent help while in Italy, dial the local emergency numbers below. Note that these numbers are only for use inside Italy.
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 112 |
| Fire | 112 |
| Ambulance | 112 |
Example: Calling Italy Numbers in Practice
Here is how a typical call to Italy works, depending on where you are calling from:
🌍 From the United States or Canada
- Dial the US/Canada exit code 011
- Dial the Italy country code +39
- Dial the local number (area code + subscriber number, without the trunk prefix 0)
Example: 011 +39 [area code] [number]
🌍 From the United Kingdom or Europe
- Dial the international access code 00 (or use the + symbol on mobile)
- Dial the Italy country code +39
- Dial the local number
Example: 00 +39 [area code] [number], or +39 [area code] [number] from any mobile phone
If the local number begins with a trunk prefix (commonly 0), remove it when dialing internationally — +39 takes its place. The remaining digits are dialed exactly as written.
Calling Italy from Major Countries
International exit codes differ by country. Use this reference when dialing Italy (+39) from abroad:
| Calling From | Exit Code | Full International Dialing |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 011 | 011 39 [local number] |
| United Kingdom | 00 | 00 39 [local number] |
| Australia | 0011 | 0011 39 [local number] |
| China | 00 | 00 39 [local number] |
| Japan | 010 | 010 39 [local number] |
| India | 00 | 00 39 [local number] |
| Germany | 00 | 00 39 [local number] |
| France | 00 | 00 39 [local number] |
On mobile phones, the + symbol replaces the exit code entirely — just dial +39 followed by the local number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the calling code for Italy?
The international calling code for Italy is +39.
How do I call Italy from the United States?
Dial 011 (US exit code), then +39, then the local phone number.
How do I call Italy from the United Kingdom?
Dial 00 (UK exit code), then +39, then the local phone number.
Can I use the + symbol instead of the exit code?
Yes! On mobile phones you can dial +39 directly followed by the local number. The + symbol automatically replaces your country's exit code.
How do I call within Italy?
If you're already in Italy, simply dial the local number directly. You do not need to use the country code +39 for domestic calls.
What is the capital of Italy?
The capital of Italy is Rome. When calling the capital from abroad, dial +39 followed by the local area code (without the leading 0) and the number.
What are the emergency numbers in Italy?
Police: 112, Fire: 112, Ambulance: 112. These numbers are only valid inside Italy.
Italy Mobile Phone Prefixes
Mobile phone numbers in Italy typically use the following prefixes:
- 3xx xxx xxxx (10-digit mobile numbers starting with 3)
Italy City / Area Codes
Major cities in Italy and their local area codes (dial these after the country code +39 when calling from abroad):
| City | Area Code(s) |
|---|---|
| Rome | 06 |
| Milan | 02 |
| Naples | 081 |
| Turin | 011 |
| Florence | 055 |
| Bologna | 051 |
| Venice | 041 |
| Genoa | 010 |
| Palermo | 091 |
| Verona | 045 |
Note: Drop any leading "0" when dialing from abroad. Example: Rome 06 becomes +39 6 + local number.
Other Countries in Europe
Nearby countries and their calling codes:
Calling Italy from Russia or Greece works the same way: dial your local exit code first, then +39, then the local number. Within Europe, many callers simply use the + symbol on mobile to avoid exit-code differences.