+49, area codes, mobile prefixes – and your own number
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- Germany’s country code is +49, which you must dial before the area code when calling from abroad — and you drop the leading 0 of the area code or mobile prefix.
- German phone numbers have geographical area codes that vary depending on the region. For example, Berlin’s area code is 30 in international format or 030 in domestic format.
- A German mobile phone number starts with 15, 16 or 17 after the country code, followed by the customer number. Because numbers can be ported between providers, the prefix no longer tells you the network.
- Be cautious of premium-rate numbers (0900) and service numbers (0180) in Germany, as they can result in higher charges; 0800 numbers are free.
- Local number length: Germany uses variable-length phone numbers. Newly assigned landline numbers usually have 11 digits domestically including the area code and leading zero, while Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Frankfurt commonly use 10-digit formats. German mobile numbers usually have 11 to 12 digits domestically including the leading zero, or 11 to 13 digits internationally when written with +49.
- Need a German number yourself? A prepaid SIM or eSIM gives you one within hours — no contract, no bank account, just the identity check every German SIM requires.
German Phone Numbers: Structure & Length
Each national German phone number is part of a larger system that includes country and area codes, ensuring calls are directed to the correct location or subscriber. Each German landline number is registered within a specific geographic area code, also known as a local network.
In Germany, phone numbers are assigned by a governmental body, similar to many other European countries. In Germany, this responsibility falls to the Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency), which manages the German numbering space — the part of the worldwide numbering plan identified by the country code 49.
In landline networks, the German telephone number structure consists of the following components:
- Country Code (CC)
- Area Code (AC)
- Subscriber Number (SN) or the extension number (see image below)
The Critical “Drop the Zero” Rule
+49 30 1234567
+49 0 30 1234567
The leading ‘0’ is for domestic calls within Germany only and must be removed when using the +49 country code.
Avoid the confusing +49 (0) notation
You may still see German phone numbers written as +49 (0)30 1234567 on business cards or websites. This notation means that callers inside Germany should dial 030 1234567, while international callers should dial +49 30 1234567. Do not dial the zero after +49. For websites, emails, and smartphone click-to-call links, it is clearer to write separate national and international formats instead of using +49 (0).
Quick Reference Prefix Numbers
| City | Area Code (Domestic) |
|---|---|
| Berlin | 030 |
| Hamburg | 040 |
| Munich | 089 |
| Frankfurt | 069 |
| Cologne | 0221 |
| Country/Region | Exit Code |
|---|---|
| USA & Canada | 011 |
| UK & Most of Europe | 00 |
| Australia | 0011 |
| Japan | 010 |
| China | 00 |
Length of a German Phone Number
A German phone number consists of several parts and cannot be infinitely long. The maximum length of a phone number was officially defined with the E.164 standard. According to this, a phone number in international traffic may contain a maximum of 15 digits including the country code but excluding the international access code.
The term “international access code” refers to the + or the double 0 (00) before the country code, for example: 0049 / +49 for the German country code.
Germany has an open numbering plan, so older phone numbers can vary in length. For newly assigned landline numbers, the standard length is usually 11 digits in domestic format including the area code and leading zero.
The main exceptions are Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Munich, where newly assigned landline numbers usually have 10 digits in domestic format because these cities have short two-digit area codes after the leading zero.
German mobile numbers are also not all the same length. A common domestic mobile number such as 0170 1234567 has 11 digits including the leading zero.
A longer domestic mobile number such as 0151 98765432 has 12 digits. In international format, the leading zero is removed and replaced with +49, for example +49 170 1234567 or +49 151 98765432. Excluding the plus sign, German mobile numbers therefore usually have 11 to 13 digits internationally.
How to get a German phone number
Most newcomers need a German mobile number within days of arriving — for the bank, the landlord, the Anmeldung appointment and every verification code in between. The quickest way is a prepaid SIM card or prepaid eSIM from one of the three network operators or their discount brands: no contract, no German bank account, and the number is yours as long as you keep the card active. Since 2017 every German SIM card must be activated with an identity check — by video call, at a post office, with the eID function of a residence permit, or in a shop — for which a passport and a temporary German address are enough.
These are the current prepaid packages of Telekom, Vodafone, O2 and congstar; each card leads to the provider’s order page:
€0 per 28 days
€4.99 per 28 days
€9.99 per 28 days
€14.99 per 28 days
€19.99 per 28 days
€79.99 per 28 days
€0 per 28 days
€9.99 per 28 days
€14.99 per 28 days
€19.99 per 28 days
€74.99 per 28 days
€5 per 28 days
€7 per 28 days
€10 per 28 days
€12 per 28 days
€16 per 28 days
€4.95 per 28 days
€9.95 per 28 days
€14.95 per 28 days
€19.95 per 28 days
€99.95 per 28 days
Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.
If your phone supports eSIM, Vodafone CallYa and O2 Prepaid deliver the number digitally right after the identity check — see our guide to eSIM in Germany. Which activation route accepts your passport, and what to do if the video check fails, is explained in our guide to SIM card verification in Germany. If you stay longer and have a SEPA bank account, a mobile contract gives you a number with more data per euro — and if you later switch providers, you keep the number: the transfer is free by law and possible at any time.
A German landline number comes with a home internet contract; most internet providers include a landline flat rate or offer it as an add-on, and the number is tied to your area code.
Cracking the Codes: German Phone Number Formats
Understanding the German phone number system is essential for effective communication within and outside the country. This system encompasses international dialling codes, German area codes, German mobile phone numbers, and special numbers (service numbers, premium-rate numbers and toll-free numbers).
Special provider-specific prefixes were created at the introduction of mobile telephony, such as 015x, 016x and 017x. These prefixes once indicated which mobile network the called party belonged to. With number portability — today guaranteed by § 59 of the Telecommunications Act, free of charge and at any time — this is no longer reliable. Many people keep their mobile number when switching providers, so the prefix alone no longer proves the current network.
International Dialling Codes
International dialling codes are essential for making calls from one country to another. For callers outside Germany, dialling a German phone number requires adding the country code 0049 (or +49) before the actual phone number.
Similarly, callers dialling into other countries like Switzerland would use the country code 0041, while those calling into Austria would use 0043. These codes ensure that calls are properly routed to the correct country.
Making international phone calls from Germany is cheapest with a German SIM: calls from Germany to other EU countries are capped by EU rules for non-flat tariffs, and most packages include EU roaming. You may find it easier to pick up a German SIM card or German eSIM, and a German internet provider keeps you connected at home.
German Area Codes
Local or geographic area codes in Germany begin with 02xx, 03xx, 04xx, 05xx, 06xx, 07xx, 08xx, or 09xx.
After the area code, the individual subscriber number follows. Germany has thousands of local networks and geographic area codes, so landline numbers vary depending on the city or region.
Different cities have different area codes:
- For the city of Hamburg, the area code is 040. Therefore, a local number in Hamburg would start with 040, followed by the individual phone number of the connection.
- For Frankfurt, the area code is 069. So, a local number in Frankfurt would start with 069, followed by the individual phone number.
Mobile Phone Numbers
Mobile phone numbers (Mobilfunknummern) in Germany are assigned in the ranges 015, 016 and 017, which the Federal Network Agency reserves for mobile services. In domestic format they start with a leading zero, followed by the mobile prefix and the customer number.
Originally, it was possible to determine the provider of a German mobile phone number from the prefix. However, when switching providers, most people now take their mobile phone numbers with them, so the boundaries between providers have blurred.
If you want to find out the current mobile network for a specific number, do not rely on the prefix and avoid premium-rate lookup services. Free online lookup databases such as netz-abfrage.de show the network a number is currently ported to; this matters mainly for tariffs that bill calls to other networks differently.
Special Numbers
Special phone numbers (Sonderrufnummern) in Germany include toll-free numbers, service numbers and premium-rate numbers, distinguished by their prefixes. The Federal Network Agency assigns the ranges:
Toll-Free Numbers
- Prefix 0800: toll-free numbers — the caller does not incur any charges for the call, from landlines and mobiles alike. Often used for customer service hotlines. The international equivalent is 00800.
Service and Premium-Rate Numbers
- Prefix 0180: service numbers with regulated per-minute or per-call prices, typically used by companies for hotlines.
- Prefix 0900: premium-rate numbers for paid services — advice lines, entertainment, information hotlines. The price must be announced before the call connects.
- Prefix 0137: mass-calling numbers for televoting and competitions, charged per call.
- Prefix 0700: personal numbers that forward to any phone, and prefix 032: national numbers that are not tied to a location, typically used for internet telephony.
The charges for calling 0900 and 0180 numbers depend on the number and on whether you call from a landline or a mobile, so check the announced tariff before making a call. Many flat rates exclude these numbers, and prepaid providers may block them by default.
Short Numbers
Short numbers (Kurznummern) in Germany are typically used for emergencies and public services.
The most well-known short number is the European emergency number, 112, which reaches the fire brigade and ambulance services — and the police as well, if you are not sure which service you need.
The police can also be reached directly using the national number 110. The unified public administration number 115 connects callers with government services, and the 116xyz range is reserved for services of social value across the EU. Directory assistance is reached at 118xy.
Universal Emergency Number 112
The emergency number 112 is valid in Germany and in all EU states, and modern smartphones connect it to the local emergency service in many other countries as well. It works from any phone with a SIM card, even without credit; in Germany a mobile phone without a SIM card cannot call 112 (Section 4 of the Emergency Call Ordinance, NotrufV).
Short numbers in Germany serve various purposes:
- Emergency Services: 112 is the European emergency number for fire brigade, ambulance and police.
- Direct Police Contact: 110 is the direct line to the police.
- Unified Government Service Number: 115 is the unified number for government services in Germany.
- Social Services: 116xyz numbers are reserved for services of social value, with specific extensions for different services.
- Directory Assistance: 118xy are numbers for directory assistance.
Ärztlicher Notdienst 116 117
In Germany, next to the above listed emergency numbers, there is a medical on-call service available outside regular hours. It is called “Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst” or “Ärztlicher Notdienst” and can be reached by calling the full six-digit number 116 117.
It is for urgent medical issues that cannot wait until regular office hours but are not life-threatening emergencies.
Do not split the number into 116 and 117: 116 alone is incomplete, and 117 is not a German emergency number. For life-threatening emergencies, call 112.
How to Write a Phone Number Correctly
The correct number format for writing a phone number is governed by a standard, DIN 5008. The German standard DIN 5008 provides guidelines for formatting written communication in Germany. This includes specifying how to write phone numbers, ensuring they are clear and consistent.
DIN in Germany
The German DIN, or Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Institute for Standardization), is the national organisation responsible for developing and publishing technical standards in Germany. DIN standards cover a wide range of topics, from engineering to paper sizes and typography, and DIN 5008 is the one for business correspondence.
Writing a Landline Number Correctly
- National Use: According to DIN 5008, the number format for a national number is 030 12345678.
- Extensions: For a landline number with extensions, the extension can be indicated with a hyphen, for example: 030 123456-78
- International Calls: For international use from anywhere in the world, the country code along with the international access code is represented, for example: +49 30 12345678 or +49 30 123456-78.
- International Format: In international usage, the double zero is often used instead of the plus sign, for example: 0049 30 12345678.
Writing a Mobile Phone Number Correctly
- National Use: In national use, mobile numbers are separated after the mobile prefix, for example: 0170 1234567 or 0151 98765432.
- International Use: For international use, the leading zero is removed, and the country code is added. For German mobile numbers, this looks like: +49 170 1234567 or +49 151 98765432.
When it comes to mobile phones, the plus symbol can be selected by holding down the 0 key, which is different from landline phones.
If calling a German number from abroad using a landline, you can usually use the international access code 00 instead of the plus sign.
Conclusion
German phone numbers can look confusing at first because the length varies, area codes differ by city, and the leading zero changes depending on whether you are calling domestically or internationally. The most important rule is simple: use +49 when calling Germany from abroad and remove the first 0 from the area code or mobile prefix.
Once you understand the difference between landline, mobile, toll-free, service, premium-rate, and emergency numbers, it becomes much easier to call, save, and write German phone numbers correctly — and a prepaid SIM or eSIM gives you a German number of your own within hours of arriving.
FAQ: German Telephone Numbers
The quickest way is a prepaid SIM card or prepaid eSIM from Telekom, Vodafone, O2 or one of their discount brands: no contract, no German bank account, and the number is active within hours of the identity check — by video call, at a post office, with the eID of a residence permit or in a shop, with a passport and a temporary German address. A mobile contract needs a SEPA bank account and usually a SCHUFA check; a landline number comes with a home internet contract.
Businesses list their numbers on their websites and in the online directories; for private numbers, the public directories only contain people who chose to be listed. Directory assistance is reached at the 118xy short numbers, which are paid services. Mobile numbers are not listed in any public directory.
No. If you dial +49 followed by the number without the leading zero from within Germany, the network recognises a national call and bills it at your domestic tariff. This is why saving contacts in the +49 format is practical: the number works from Germany and from abroad.
A complete landline number consists of the area code (Ortsvorwahl, starting with 0 in domestic format) and the subscriber number (Teilnehmernummer), often followed by an extension after a hyphen. Area codes have between two digits (Berlin 30, Hamburg 40, Munich 89, Frankfurt 69) and four digits after the leading zero, which is why the total length varies; new numbers are usually 11 digits domestically, 10 in the four big cities.
112 for fire brigade and ambulance — and for the police if you are unsure — and 110 to reach the police directly. Both work from any mobile phone with a SIM card, even without credit; a phone without a SIM card cannot make emergency calls in Germany. For urgent but not life-threatening medical problems outside surgery hours, call the medical on-call service 116 117 (the full six digits).
Within Germany, dial the full number with the leading zero: 030 12345678 for a Berlin landline, 0170 1234567 for a mobile. From abroad, dial your country’s exit code or the plus sign, then 49 and the number without the leading zero: +49 30 12345678 or +49 170 1234567. Numbers starting with 0800 are free, 0180 and 0900 numbers cost extra.
A virtual phone number is not tied to a physical line or SIM card: calls to it are forwarded to a phone or app of your choice. In Germany, the 032 range is reserved for such location-independent numbers, and the 0700 range for personal numbers that follow you. They are useful for a business address, but banks and authorities usually ask for a mobile number that can receive SMS codes.