The 55 country code belongs to Brazil. Whether you're calling family in São Paulo, conducting business with partners in Rio de Janeiro, or reaching friends anywhere in this vast South American nation, the +55 prefix connects you to over 215 million people in the world's fifth-largest country.
Quick Answer: The country code +55 is for Brazil. Brazilian mobile numbers have 11 digits after +55 (area code + 9 + number). For example, a São Paulo mobile would be dialed as
+55 11 9 1234 5678.
How to Call Brazil: Quick Reference
The dialing format for Brazil varies depending on where you're calling from and what type of phone you're using. Here's a quick-reference table.
| Calling From | To Landline | To Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| US/Canada Mobile | +55 [area code] [8 digits] | +55 [area code] [9 + 8 digits] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-55-[area code]-[8 digits] | 011-55-[area code]-[9 + 8 digits] |
| United Kingdom | 00-55-[area code]-[number] | 00-55-[area code]-[9 + number] |
| Portugal | 00-55-[area code]-[number] | 00-55-[area code]-[9 + number] |
Key Rule: Brazilian mobile numbers now include a 9 as the first digit after the area code. This applies to all mobile numbers nationwide.
Understanding Brazilian Phone Numbers
Brazilian phone numbers follow a consistent structure once you understand the mobile vs. landline difference.
Mobile Numbers
Brazilian mobile numbers have a consistent format:
- Length: 11 digits after +55 (2-digit area code + 9 + 8 digits).
- 9 Prefix: All mobile numbers start with 9 after the area code.
- Format: +55 XX 9XXXX XXXX.
- Example:
+55 11 9 1234 5678(São Paulo mobile).
Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)
Brazilian landlines are simpler:
- Length: 10 digits after +55 (2-digit area code + 8 digits).
- Starting Digits: Landlines typically start with 2, 3, 4, or 5 after the area code.
- Format: +55 XX XXXX XXXX.
- Example:
+55 21 2345 6789(Rio de Janeiro landline).
Brazil Area Codes Reference Table
Brazil uses 2-digit geographic area codes. Here are the area codes for major Brazilian cities:
| City | Area Code | Landline Format | Mobile Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| São Paulo | 11 | +55 11 XXXX XXXX | +55 11 9XXXX XXXX |
| Rio de Janeiro | 21 | +55 21 XXXX XXXX | +55 21 9XXXX XXXX |
| Brasília | 61 | +55 61 XXXX XXXX | +55 61 9XXXX XXXX |
| Belo Horizonte | 31 | +55 31 XXXX XXXX | +55 31 9XXXX XXXX |
| Salvador | 71 | +55 71 XXXX XXXX | +55 71 9XXXX XXXX |
| Curitiba | 41 | +55 41 XXXX XXXX | +55 41 9XXXX XXXX |
| Porto Alegre | 51 | +55 51 XXXX XXXX | +55 51 9XXXX XXXX |
| Recife | 81 | +55 81 XXXX XXXX | +55 81 9XXXX XXXX |
| Fortaleza | 85 | +55 85 XXXX XXXX | +55 85 9XXXX XXXX |
| Manaus | 92 | +55 92 XXXX XXXX | +55 92 9XXXX XXXX |
Note: All Brazilian area codes are 2 digits. The first digit generally indicates the region.
Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference
You can tell whether a Brazilian number is mobile or landline:
- Starts with 9 (after area code): Always a mobile number.
- Starts with 2, 3, 4, or 5: Usually a landline number.
- 0800: Toll-free number (cannot be dialed internationally).
This distinction is important because mobile numbers have 11 digits while landlines have 10 digits after +55.
Dialing Examples
Here are practical examples for calling different types of Brazilian numbers:
Example 1: Calling a São Paulo Landline from the US
- Brazilian Number: (011) 3456-7890 (São Paulo landline)
- From a US Mobile:
+55 11 3456 7890 - From a US Landline:
011 55 11 3456 7890
Example 2: Calling a São Paulo Mobile from the US
- Brazilian Number: (011) 9 1234-5678 (São Paulo mobile)
- From a US Mobile:
+55 11 9 1234 5678 - From a US Landline:
011 55 11 9 1234 5678
Example 3: Calling a Rio de Janeiro Mobile from the UK
- Brazilian Number: (021) 9 8765-4321 (Rio mobile)
- From the UK:
00 55 21 9 8765 4321
Example 4: Calling a Brasília Landline from Portugal
- Brazilian Number: (061) 3456-7890 (Brasília landline)
- From Portugal:
00 55 61 3456 7890
Best Times to Call Brazil
Brazil spans multiple time zones, but most of the population lives in the BRT (Brasília Time) zone, which is UTC-3.
Here's how Brazil's time relates to other major time zones:
| Your Location | Time Difference | Call Brazil 9 AM - 6 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Brazil is 2 hours ahead | 7 AM - 4 PM EST |
| US West Coast (PST) | Brazil is 5 hours ahead | 4 AM - 1 PM PST |
| UK (GMT) | Brazil is 3 hours behind | 12 PM - 9 PM GMT |
| Portugal (WET) | Brazil is 3 hours behind | 12 PM - 9 PM WET |
| Germany (CET) | Brazil is 4 hours behind | 1 PM - 10 PM CET |
Tip: For US East Coast callers, the time overlap is excellent. Brazilian business hours align well with US morning and early afternoon.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the 55 country code:
- Forgetting the 9 for mobiles: All Brazilian mobile numbers now include a 9 after the area code. Missing it will cause the call to fail.
- Adding 9 to landlines: Landlines don't have the 9 prefix. Adding it makes the number invalid.
- Keeping the leading 0: Brazilian domestic numbers include 0 before the area code (e.g., 011). Drop this 0 for international calls.
- Wrong digit count: Mobile = 11 digits, Landline = 10 digits (after +55).
- Confusing with Argentina: Brazil is +55, Argentina is +54. One digit difference.
Cheapest Ways to Call +55 Numbers
International calls to Brazil don't have to be expensive. While traditional carriers can charge $1-$3 per minute, better options exist:
- VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Brazil, often under $0.08/minute. Check our international calling rates.
- Messaging Apps: WhatsApp is popular in Brazil—it's the primary communication app for most Brazilians. Telegram and Messenger are also used.
- International Calling Plans: Some carriers offer Brazil in their international calling bundles. Check our guide on prepaid international calling plans.
Given the large Brazilian diaspora in the US, Portugal, and other countries, affordable calling options are widely available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What country has the +55 country code?
The +55 country code is for Brazil. Any call from a number starting with +55 originates from Brazil.
How many digits is a Brazilian phone number?
Brazilian mobile numbers have 11 digits after +55 (2-digit area code + 9 + 8 digits). Landlines have 10 digits (2-digit area code + 8 digits).
What is the area code for São Paulo?
The area code for São Paulo is 11. For international calls, dial +55 11 followed by the local number.
What is the area code for Rio de Janeiro?
The area code for Rio de Janeiro is 21. Internationally, dial +55 21 followed by the local number.
How do I call Brazil from the USA?
From a mobile, dial +55 followed by the area code and number. From a landline, dial 011, then 55, then the area code and number. Remember to drop any leading 0 from the Brazilian number.
What time should I call Brazil from the US?
Most of Brazil is 2 hours ahead of US Eastern Time. To reach someone during Brazilian business hours (9 AM - 6 PM BRT), call between 7 AM - 4 PM EST.
Is +55 Brazil or Argentina?
+55 is the country code for Brazil. The country code for Argentina is +54.
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