Country Area Code 39: Complete Guide to Calling Italy

Country area code 39 is the international dialing code for Italy. If you want to make a phone call, send a text message, or verify an online account with an Italian phone number, you need to use this code at the beginning of the recipient's number. However, dialing numbers in Italy involves a few specific rules, such as keeping the leading zero on landline numbers, which differs from many other international dialing systems.

What it means / how it works

An international country code is a numerical prefix you must dial before a national phone number when communicating across borders. Country code 39 specifically designates Italy, including Vatican City and San Marino, which are enclaves that share the Italian numbering plan.

When you see a number written as +39, the plus sign (+) acts as a placeholder for your own country's international exit code. For example, if you are calling from the United States, you dial 011 before the country code. If you are calling from a mobile phone anywhere in the world, you can simply type the plus sign followed by 39 and the local number.

Unlike countries where city codes are short and distinct from subscriber numbers, Italy integrated its geographic area codes directly into its national numbering system in the late 1990s. This means a Roman landline number starts with 06, a Milan landline starts with 02, and that initial zero is a mandatory part of the number whether you are calling from inside Italy or from another country.

Mobile phone numbers in Italy also use country code 39, but they typically begin with a 3, such as +39 340, +39 335, or +39 391. These mobile prefixes indicate the original network operator, though number portability allows users to keep their numbers when switching providers.

Practical scenarios

• Calling an Italian hotel or restaurant from a mobile phone abroad by dialing +39 followed by the full local number including the zero.
• Sending a package to Rome and entering +39 before the recipient's phone number on the courier's international shipping label.
• Saving an Italian business contact in your smartphone address book using the full international format (+39...) to ensure it works when you travel.
• Receiving a phone call from an Italian contact where caller ID displays +39 followed by a ten-digit number.
• Setting up an account on a European web service that requires your country code and mobile phone number for security purposes.
• Verifying an online profile or receiving a one-time password (OTP) via SMS from an Italian service provider.
• Troubleshooting a failed international call by checking if the exit code and country prefix were dialed correctly.
• Distinguishing between an Italian landline (starting with 0) and an Italian mobile number (starting with 3) within a customer database.

Step-by-step

Dialing country area code 39 correctly depends on whether you are using a landline or a mobile phone, and where you are located. Follow these steps to complete a call or enter a number correctly.

Step 1: Check your exit code if using a landline
If you are calling from a traditional landline telephone rather than a mobile phone, you must dial your country's international exit code first. For example, callers in the US and Canada dial 011. Callers in the UK and most of Europe dial 00. If you are using a smartphone, you can skip this and just use the plus sign.

Step 2: Enter the country code
Type or dial 39. If you are using a mobile phone, hold down the zero key until a plus sign appears, then type 39. The result should look like +39.

Step 3: Include the local prefix with the leading zero
Unlike North American or British numbers where leading zeros are dropped for international calls, Italian numbers keep their initial digit. If you are calling a landline in Milan, the local prefix is 02. Your number should now look like +39 02.

Step 4: Enter the subscriber number
Add the remaining local digits. Italian landline and mobile numbers vary in length, but total subscriber numbers after the country code are usually nine or ten digits long. For example, a complete mobile number looks like +39 312 345 6789.

Step 5: Review and place the call
Double-check that you did not accidentally drop the zero after the country code if dialing a landline. Press the call button to connect your communication.

Safety/privacy/legal

When dealing with international phone numbers and communication codes, privacy and security are important considerations, especially when sharing your contact details online.

International telecommunication standards protect user privacy across borders, but cross-border data transfers are subject to regional laws like the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when interacting with Italian services. If an Italian company collects your phone number, they must adhere to strict data protection guidelines regarding how that number is stored and used.

Be cautious when entering your phone number on unfamiliar websites that request country code 39. Scammers and automated bots often collect phone numbers for marketing lists, spam calls, or phishing attempts. Never share verification codes sent to your phone with third parties, as these codes authorize account access or financial transactions.

If you need to verify an online account or test a platform using an Italian phone number without exposing your personal SIM card or private device, you might look into digital SMS verification tools. For users who need a paid private option instead of a public inbox, PVACodes can be considered as one SMS verification solution, depending on the country, app, and current availability.

Best alternatives

Depending on why you are searching for country area code 39, you might be looking for ways to communicate with Italy or manage virtual communications. Here are the primary alternatives to traditional international calling:

• VoIP and Internet Calling Apps: Applications like Skype, WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Telegram allow you to call Italian numbers over an internet connection, often at a lower cost than traditional carrier rates.
• Digital Messaging Platforms: For text communication, internet-based messaging eliminates standard international SMS fees entirely when both parties use the same application.
• Virtual Phone Number Services: If you need to receive SMS messages or calls from Italy without owning a physical Italian SIM card, virtual number providers offer temporary or dedicated lines routed over the cloud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is country code 39?

A: Country code 39 is the international dialing prefix assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to Italy, along with the enclaves of Vatican City and San Marino.

Q: Do I drop the zero when dialing Italy from abroad?

A: No. Unlike many other countries where you drop the leading zero of a local number when calling internationally, Italian landline numbers require you to keep the initial zero (such as 06 for Rome or 02 for Milan).

Q: How do I format an Italian phone number for international calls?

A: Format the number with a plus sign, the country code, and the full local number. For example: +39 02 1234 5678 for a landline or +39 312 345 6789 for a mobile phone.

Q: What does a mobile phone number look like in Italy?

A: Italian mobile numbers always start with the digit 3 after the country code. A typical mobile format is +39 followed by a ten-digit subscriber number starting with 3.

Q: Can I send an SMS to an Italian number using country code 39?

A: Yes. By including +39 before the recipient's mobile number in your phone's messaging app, your carrier will route the text message internationally to the Italian mobile network.

Q: Are Vatican City and San Marino included in country code 39?

A: Yes. Both Vatican City and the Republic of San Marino are completely surrounded by Italy and utilize the Italian telephone numbering plan under country code 39.

Q: Why is my call to Italy failing with country code 39?

A: Calls usually fail if you forgot to dial your local international exit code (like 011 from the US), if you accidentally dropped the leading zero on a landline number, or if your mobile carrier has international calling blocked on your plan.

Q: How can I tell if an Italian number is a landline or a mobile?

A: Landline numbers in Italy start with 0 followed by a geographic area code (like 02 for Milan or 06 for Rome). Mobile numbers start with 3.

Q: Do I need an international calling plan to call Italy?

A: It depends on your current telecom provider. Many mobile plans charge per minute for international calls unless you add a specific international calling package or use an internet-based VoIP service.

Q: How do I save an Italian number in my contacts?

A: Always save international contacts in the E.164 format, which starts with a plus sign, the country code (39), and the full local number including the initial zero. This ensures the number works whether you are inside Italy or traveling abroad.

Conclusion

Understanding country area code 39 is essential for anyone communicating with Italy, whether you are calling friends and family, conducting international business, or setting up online accounts. Always remember to include the plus sign, the 39 prefix, and the crucial leading zero on landline numbers. If you are handling digital communications or need alternative ways to interact with international services, choose the communication method that best fits your requirements and budget.