The 39 country code belongs to Italy. Whether you're calling family in Rome, conducting business in Milan, or reaching friends anywhere in Italy, the +39 prefix connects you to this Mediterranean nation of 60 million people.

Quick Answer: The country code +39 is for Italy. Mobile numbers have 10 digits after +39 and start with 3. Landline numbers include the area code with the leading 0. Example mobile: +39 320 123 4567. Example Rome landline: +39 06 1234 5678.

How to Call Italy: Quick Reference

Italy has a unique phone system: you must dial the leading 0 of area codes even for international calls. This differs from most countries. Here's the format for calling from major countries:

Calling From Dialing Format
US/Canada Mobile +39 [full number with 0]
US/Canada Landline 011-39-[full number with 0]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-39-[full number with 0]
Germany 00-39-[full number with 0]
Australia 0011-39-[full number with 0]
France 00-39-[full number with 0]

Italy has significant diaspora communities in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, and throughout Europe, making international calling to Italy common.

Understanding Italian Phone Numbers

Italy's phone numbering system has some unique characteristics that set it apart from most other countries.

The Leading Zero Rule

Unlike most countries where you drop the trunk prefix (0) when dialing internationally, Italy requires you to keep the 0. This is a critical difference:

  • Correct: +39 06 1234 5678 (Rome landline)
  • Wrong: +39 6 1234 5678

Mobile Numbers

Italian mobile numbers all start with 3:

  • Length: 10 digits after +39.
  • Starting Digit: Always start with 3.
  • Common Prefixes: 320, 328, 329, 330, 333, 338, 339, 340, 347, 348, 349, 380, 388, 389, 391, 392, 393.
  • Example: +39 320 123 4567 or +39 347 987 6543.

Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)

Italian landline numbers include the area code as an integral part of the number:

  • Structure: Area code (2-4 digits including 0) + local number = 9-10 digits total.
  • Starting Digit: Always start with 0 (the area code).
  • Leading Zero: You must dial the 0 even for international calls.
  • Example: +39 06 1234 5678 (Rome) or +39 02 1234 5678 (Milan).

Italy Area Codes Reference Table

Italian area codes always begin with 0 and vary in length. Major cities have shorter codes (2 digits), while smaller towns have longer ones (3-4 digits).

City Area Code International Format
Rome 06 +39 06 xxxx xxxx
Milan 02 +39 02 xxxx xxxx
Naples 081 +39 081 xxx xxxx
Florence 055 +39 055 xxx xxxx
Venice 041 +39 041 xxx xxxx
Turin 011 +39 011 xxx xxxx
Bologna 051 +39 051 xxx xxxx
Genoa 010 +39 010 xxx xxxx
Palermo 091 +39 091 xxx xxxx
Verona 045 +39 045 xxx xxxx

Note: The leading 0 is always part of the number. Never omit it when dialing from abroad.

Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference

You can tell whether a +39 number is mobile or landline by the first digit:

  • Starts with 3: Mobile number (e.g., +39 3XX XXX XXXX).
  • Starts with 0: Landline number (e.g., +39 0X XXX XXXX).

This distinction matters because calling rates to mobile and landline numbers often differ significantly.

Dialing Examples

Here are practical examples for calling different types of Italian numbers from various locations:

Example 1: Calling a Rome Landline from the US

  • Italian Number: 06-1234-5678 (Rome area code 06)
  • From a US Mobile: +39 06 1234 5678
  • From a US Landline: 011 39 06 1234 5678

Example 2: Calling an Italian Mobile from the US

  • Italian Number: 320-123-4567
  • From a US Mobile: +39 320 123 4567
  • From a US Landline: 011 39 320 123 4567

Example 3: Calling a Milan Landline from the UK

  • Italian Number: 02-9876-5432 (Milan area code 02)
  • From the UK: 00 39 02 9876 5432

Example 4: Calling from Germany

  • Italian Number: Any mobile (e.g., 347-111-2222)
  • From Germany: 00 39 347 111 2222

Best Times to Call Italy

Italy operates on Central European Time (CET), which is UTC+1 in winter and UTC+2 (CEST) during summer daylight saving time.

Here's how Italy's time relates to other major time zones:

Your Location Time Difference Call Italy 9 AM - 6 PM
US East Coast (EST) Italy is 6 hours ahead 3 AM - 12 PM EST
US West Coast (PST) Italy is 9 hours ahead 12 AM - 9 AM PST
UK (GMT/BST) Italy is 1 hour ahead 8 AM - 5 PM GMT
Germany (CET) Same time zone 9 AM - 6 PM CET
Australia (AEDT) Italy is 10 hours behind 7 PM - 4 AM AEDT

Tip: Italians typically take a long lunch break (pranzo) between 1 PM and 3 PM. Many businesses close during this time, so schedule calls for morning or late afternoon Italian time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Several common errors can prevent your call from connecting when using the 39 country code:

  • Dropping the 0: This is the #1 mistake. You must dial the leading 0 for landlines when calling Italy internationally.
  • Wrong number length: Mobile numbers are exactly 10 digits (starting with 3). Landlines are 9-10 digits (starting with 0).
  • Confusing country codes: Don't mix up +39 (Italy) with +34 (Spain) or +33 (France).
  • Forgetting the time difference: Italy is 6-9 hours ahead of the US. A lunch call from California arrives after Italian bedtime.

Cheapest Ways to Call +39 Numbers

International calls to Italy don't have to be expensive. Traditional carriers often charge $1-$3 per minute, but alternatives exist:

  • VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Italy, often under $0.05/minute for landlines. Check our international calling rates.
  • Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, Messenger, and Telegram are extremely popular in Italy and allow free calls over WiFi or data.
  • International Calling Plans: Some carriers include Italy in their international bundles. Check our guide on prepaid international calling plans.

Given Italy's popularity as a tourist destination and the large Italian diaspora worldwide, affordable calling options are readily available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What country has the +39 country code?

The +39 country code is exclusively for Italy. Any call from a number starting with +39 originates from Italy.

How many digits is an Italian phone number?

Italian mobile numbers have 10 digits after +39 (starting with 3). Landline numbers are 9-10 digits including the area code, which starts with 0.

What is the area code for Rome?

The area code for Rome is 06. For international calls, dial +39 06 followed by the local number. Remember to include the 0.

What is the area code for Milan?

The area code for Milan is 02. Internationally, dial +39 02 followed by the local number.

How do I call Italy from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +39 followed by the full Italian number. For landlines, include the 0 (e.g., +39 06 for Rome). From a US landline, dial 011-39 then the Italian number.

Do I dial the 0 when calling Italian landlines internationally?

Yes! Italy is unique in this regard. You must include the leading 0 of the area code even when calling from abroad. For Rome (06), dial +39 06 xxx xxxx, not +39 6 xxx xxxx.

Is +39 Italy or Spain?

+39 is the country code for Italy. The country code for Spain is +34.

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