The 49 country code belongs to Germany (Deutschland). Whether you're calling business partners in Frankfurt, family in Berlin, or friends in Munich, the +49 prefix connects you to Europe's largest economy with over 84 million people.

Quick Answer: The country code +49 is for Germany. When calling from overseas, drop the leading 0 from the German number. For example, a Berlin number like 030 1234 5678 becomes +49 30 1234 5678.

How to Call Germany: Quick Reference

The key rule for calling Germany is simple: always drop the leading zero. German domestic numbers start with 0, but this trunk prefix must be removed when dialing internationally.

Calling From Dialing Format
US/Canada Mobile +49 [number without leading 0]
US/Canada Landline 011-49-[number without leading 0]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-49-[number without leading 0]
France 00-49-[number without leading 0]
Netherlands 00-49-[number without leading 0]
Poland 00-49-[number without leading 0]

Germany is a major business hub with strong ties to the EU, US, and international markets, making calls to +49 numbers common for both business and personal reasons.

Understanding German Phone Numbers

German phone numbers follow a specific structure, though they can vary more in length than some other countries.

The Leading Zero Rule

All German phone numbers begin with a 0 when dialed domestically. This is a trunk prefix, not part of the actual phone number. When calling from overseas, you must:

  • Remove the leading 0
  • Replace it with +49

This is the single most important rule for calling Germany internationally.

Mobile Numbers

German mobile numbers all start with 01:

  • Domestic Format: 01XX XXXXXXX (11 digits starting with 015, 016, or 017)
  • International Format: +49 1XX XXXXXXX (10 digits after +49)
  • Common mobile prefixes: 0151, 0152, 0157, 0160, 0162, 0163, 0170, 0171, 0172, 0173, 0174, 0175, 0176, 0177, 0178, 0179
  • Example: 0151 1234 5678 becomes +49 151 1234 5678

Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)

German landlines use area codes of varying lengths (2-5 digits) followed by local numbers:

  • Domestic Format: 0XXX XXXXXXX (variable total length)
  • International Format: +49 XXX XXXXXXX
  • Example: Berlin number 030 1234 5678 becomes +49 30 1234 5678

Note: Unlike countries with fixed-length phone numbers, German numbers can vary. Large cities have shorter area codes (Berlin 030, Munich 089) while smaller towns have longer ones (up to 5 digits).

Germany Area Codes Reference Table

Here are the most important German area codes for major cities:

Area Code City International Format
030 Berlin (Capital) +49 30 xxxx xxxx
089 Munich (München) +49 89 xxxx xxxx
040 Hamburg +49 40 xxxx xxxx
069 Frankfurt +49 69 xxxx xxxx
0221 Cologne (Köln) +49 221 xxxx xxxx
0211 Düsseldorf +49 211 xxxx xxxx
0711 Stuttgart +49 711 xxxx xxxx
0351 Dresden +49 351 xxxx xxxx
0341 Leipzig +49 341 xxxx xxxx
0511 Hanover (Hannover) +49 511 xxxx xxxx

Pattern to note: Major cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt have 3-digit area codes (including the 0). Smaller cities typically have 4 or 5-digit area codes.

Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference

You can tell mobile from landline by the prefix:

  • Starts with 015, 016, or 017 (or +49 15/16/17): Always a mobile number
  • Starts with 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, or 09: Always a landline number

This distinction matters because calling rates to mobiles are typically higher than landlines with most international calling services.

Dialing Examples

Here are practical examples showing how to dial German numbers from various countries:

Example 1: Calling a Berlin Landline from the US

  • German Number: 030 1234 5678 (Berlin area code 030)
  • From a US Mobile: +49 30 1234 5678
  • From a US Landline: 011 49 30 1234 5678

Example 2: Calling a German Mobile from the US

  • German Number: 0151 1234 5678
  • From a US Mobile: +49 151 1234 5678
  • From a US Landline: 011 49 151 1234 5678

Example 3: Calling a Munich Landline from the UK

  • German Number: 089 8765 4321 (Munich area code 089)
  • From the UK: 00 49 89 8765 4321

Example 4: Calling a Frankfurt Number from France

  • German Number: 069 3456 7890 (Frankfurt area code 069)
  • From France: 00 49 69 3456 7890

Best Times to Call Germany

Germany operates on a single time zone, which simplifies scheduling:

Time Zone Period UTC Offset
CET Central European Time (Winter) UTC+1
CEST Central European Summer Time UTC+2

Time differences from major cities:

Your Location Germany Time Difference Call Germany 9 AM - 5 PM
US East Coast (EST) Germany is 6 hours ahead 3 AM - 11 AM your time
US West Coast (PST) Germany is 9 hours ahead 12 AM - 8 AM your time
UK (GMT) Germany is 1 hour ahead 8 AM - 4 PM your time
Japan (JST) Germany is 8 hours behind 5 PM - 1 AM your time

Tip: For US East Coast callers, early morning is the best time to catch German business hours. A 7 AM EST call reaches Germany at 1 PM local time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most frequent errors when dialing the 49 country code:

  • Keeping the leading 0: The most common mistake. +49 030... is wrong; +49 30... is correct.
  • Confusing +49 with +43: +49 is Germany, +43 is Austria. Both countries speak German, so this is a common mix-up.
  • Wrong number length: German numbers vary in length. Don't assume all numbers have the same digit count.
  • Confusing area codes: Berlin is 030 (not 0030 or 0300). Frankfurt is 069 (not 060 or 069x).
  • Forgetting time zones: Germany is ahead of the Americas but behind Asia. Check the time before calling!

Cheapest Ways to Call +49 Numbers

International calls to Germany don't have to be expensive. Here are your best options:

  • VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Germany, often under $0.03/minute for landlines. Check our Germany calling rates.
  • Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal are popular in Germany and allow free calls over WiFi or data.
  • International Calling Plans: Many carriers include Germany in European calling bundles. Check our guide on how to make international calls.

Germany has a large business community and significant expat populations worldwide, making affordable calling options widely available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What country has the +49 country code?

The +49 country code is for Germany (Deutschland). This covers all of Germany including major cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Cologne.

How many digits is a German phone number?

German phone numbers vary in length, typically 10-11 digits domestically. The area code can be 2-5 digits, followed by a local number. Mobile numbers start with 015, 016, or 017 and are usually 11 digits total.

What is the area code for Berlin?

The area code for Berlin is 030. For international calls, you would dial +49 30 followed by the local number (dropping the leading 0).

What is the area code for Munich?

The area code for Munich (München) is 089. Internationally, you would dial +49 89 followed by the local number.

How do I call Germany from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +49 followed by the German number without the leading 0. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 49, then the number without the leading 0.

Do I drop the 0 when calling Germany internationally?

Yes, always drop the leading 0. German domestic numbers start with 0 (like 030 for Berlin or 0151 for mobile), but when calling from overseas, replace the 0 with +49. So 030 1234 5678 becomes +49 30 1234 5678.

Is +49 Germany or Austria?

+49 is the country code for Germany. The country code for Austria is +43. These are commonly confused because both countries speak German.

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