Did you know that there are over 44 million Americans with German ancestry? That’s a lot of connections between the two countries! Whether you’re calling family, friends, or business associates in Germany, it’s important to know the proper way to dial their phone number to avoid any confusion or extra charges. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about calling German phone numbers from the US.
Things to Consider before Calling Germany
Before you make an international call to Germany, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Time Zone: Germany is six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the US, so be aware of the time difference before making a call.
- Calling plan: Check your phone plan to ensure that you have an international calling plan or that your provider offers international calls at a reasonable rate.
- Dialing codes: Make sure you have the correct country code and area codes for Germany before making your call.
The Format of German Phone Numbers
Germany has an open telephone numbering plan, which means that area codes and subscriber telephone numbers have no fixed size. However, since 2010, new landline telephone numbers have a standard length of 11 digits, including the area code and the local number but omitting the trunk prefix (0). Area codes remain variable in length. The country code for Germany is either +49 or 0049. There are 5200 area codes in Germany and the area code varies from 2 to 5 digits (not including the trunk code 0). For landline numbers, the area code can be two to five digits long, while the local phone number is usually six to nine digits long. For mobile numbers, there is a four- or five-digit network code that begins with 015x, 016x or 017x, followed by a seven-digit number.
There is no standard formatting for German phone numbers, but some common formats include +49-AA-XXX XXXX -XX, +49 (AA) XXX XXXX -XX, 0049 (0) AA XXX XXX XXX, (0AA) XXXX XXX -XX, and 0AA / XXXXX XXXX. A stands for the area code and X stands for the local number.
How to Dial German Phone Numbers from the US
When calling a German phone number from abroad, the country code must be included, and the area code must be dialed without the leading zero.
To call Germany from the US, follow these steps:
- Dial the international access code for the US (011).
- Dial the country code for Germany (49).
- Dial the area code for the German region you are calling (without the initial 0).
- Dial the local phone number of the person or business you are trying to reach.
For example, if you are trying to call a person in Berlin with the phone number 030 1234567, you would dial: 011 49 30 1234567.
How to Reduce the Calling Fees when Calling Germany from the US
It’s important to note that the cost of phone services in Germany varies greatly depending on where you are calling from, your phone plan, and the prefixes used. Some special prefix phone numbers in Germany, such as 0190 or 0900, can be quite costly to call, as they’re often associated with erotic entertainment. Additionally, 0180 numbers are commonly used as service numbers by companies. To avoid unexpected charges, it’s a good idea to research the costs associated with these numbers before making a call.
| Basic International Rate | International Plan | |
| AT&T | $3.00/minute | AT&T International Calling Plan: $15/month, Unlimited |
| T-Mobile | $3.00/minute | Stateside International Talk: $15/month, Unlimited |
| Verzion | $1.99/minute | Global Choice Germany: $10/month, 300 Minutes Global Calling: $5/month, Landline – $0.07 /minute, Mobile $0.27 /minute Global Calling Plus: $15/month, Unlimited |
| Sprint | Landline – $2.65/minute Mobile – $2.85/minute | Sprint International Connect: $15/month, Unlimited |
To reduce the cost of your international calls to Germany, here are a few tips:
- Use internet calling services: Consider using internet calling services such as Skype or Dingtone to make free or low-cost calls over Wi-Fi or cellular data.
- Get an international calling plan: Some phone providers offer international calling plans that can significantly reduce the cost of international calls.
- Use a calling card: Prepaid international calling cards can be a cost-effective option for making international calls from the US.
Conclusion
Calling Germany from the US can be straightforward as long as you have the correct dialing codes and follow the proper format. Remember to check your phone plan and provider’s rates before making an international call and consider using internet-based services or prepaid international calling cards to reduce costs.