Country Code with 39: Complete Guide to Dialing Italy

The country code with 39 belongs to Italy and the Vatican City. If you see a phone number starting with +39, it originates from the Italian telecommunications network. You need this code whenever you want to call an Italian landline or mobile phone from another country.

What it means / how it works

A country code is a numerical prefix used to route international telephone calls from one country to another. When you dial a number, the country code tells the telephone switching network which nation's domestic grid should receive the call.

In the case of Italy, the international prefix is 39. When writing this number internationally, you usually see it written with a plus sign, as in +39. The plus sign acts as a placeholder for the international direct dialing (IDD) exit code of the country you are calling from.

For example, if you are calling from the United States, you dial 011 (the US exit code) followed by 39 and the local number. If you are calling from the United Kingdom, you dial 00 followed by 39 and the local number. If you are using a mobile phone anywhere in the world, you can simply type the plus sign (+), which automatically translates to the correct local exit code.

Unlike some countries that drop the initial zero of a local number when adding an international prefix, Italy's numbering system is unique. You must keep the initial zero for both landlines and mobile numbers when dialing internationally. A Rome landline starting with 06, for example, is dialed as +39 06 [local number].

Practical scenarios

• Calling an Italian hotel or restaurant: You are planning a vacation to Rome, Florence, or Venice and need to call a business to confirm a reservation. You must prepend +39 to their published telephone number.
• Receiving a business call from Milan: An Italian manufacturer or supplier calls your office, and your phone displays a caller ID starting with +39, letting you know the call originates from Italy.
• Sending an international SMS: You need to text a friend, family member, or client living in Italy, requiring you to enter +39 before their mobile number in your messaging app.
• Verifying an online account: You are registering for an app, website, or digital service that requires phone number verification, and you need to select Italy (+39) from a dropdown menu.
• Handling customer support: You purchased an item from an Italian e-commerce brand and need to call their helpline regarding a shipping delay or return.
• Messaging via WhatsApp or Telegram: You add a new Italian contact to your smartphone address book, ensuring you format the entry with +39 so the messaging app recognizes the international destination.
• Making travel arrangements: You call local transport providers, car rental agencies, or tour operators across different Italian regions from abroad.

Step-by-step

Dialing an Italian phone number from another country requires careful attention to format. Follow these steps to ensure your call connects successfully.

1. Find the international exit code: If you are using a landline, find the exit code for your current country (for example, 011 in North America or 00 across most of Europe). If you are using a mobile phone, press and hold the zero key until a plus (+) sign appears on your screen.
2. Enter the country code: Type or dial 39 immediately after the exit code or plus sign.
3. Include the leading zero: Unlike many other international dialing conventions, do not drop the zero that starts the local Italian number. For landlines, this might be 02 for Milan or 06 for Rome. For mobile numbers, this is usually 3 (such as 320, 330, or 340).
4. Dial the local subscriber number: Enter the remaining digits of the Italian telephone number. Landline lengths can vary depending on the city, while mobile numbers typically consist of nine or ten digits total including the leading prefix.
5. Press call: Review the complete string—such as +39 02 12345678 for a Milan landline—and initiate the call.

Safety/privacy/legal

When dealing with international phone numbers, understanding privacy and security principles helps protect your personal data and financial security.

Calls and text messages routed internationally are subject to the telecom regulations of both the originating and terminating countries. In Italy and across the European Union, telecommunications are strictly governed by frameworks like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This ensures that telecom operators and digital service providers handle your phone number and communication data with high standards of privacy.

However, unexpected calls or text messages from a +39 number can occasionally be associated with international scams. Telemarketers, automated robocalls, and phishing attempts sometimes spoof international caller IDs to make numbers look legitimate. If you receive a missed call from an unfamiliar +39 number and do not know anyone in Italy, avoid calling it back immediately, as it may be a premium-rate scam designed to inflate your phone bill.

When entering your +39 number into online platforms for SMS verification or account setup, always verify that you are using a trusted website. Publicly shared phone verification services can expose your messages to other users, creating privacy risks. For users who require secure, private verification without exposing their personal mobile details, solutions like PVACodes offer alternative virtual phone number options tailored for specific regional needs.

Best alternatives

If you need to interact with Italian services, verify accounts, or manage communications without using your personal phone line, you have several options available depending on your exact requirements.

Traditional mobile roaming allows you to use your existing SIM card while traveling in Italy, though carrier fees can be high. Local Italian prepaid SIM cards offer a cost-effective solution for long stays, but they require physical purchase and identity verification in accordance with strict Italian telecommunications laws.

For digital verification and online communication needs where physical SIM cards are impractical, virtual number providers offer flexible alternatives. Services like PVACodes provide access to virtual numbers and temporary SMS solutions that help users complete account activations, test applications, and manage regional communication needs without requiring a permanent physical connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

What country does +39 belong to?

A

The country code +39 belongs to Italy. It is also used by Vatican City and the enclave nation of San Marino, though San Marino maintains its own distinct country code options as well.

Q

Do I need to drop the zero when dialing an Italian number from abroad?

A

No. Unlike many other international phone code systems, Italy requires you to keep the initial zero of the local landline or mobile number after dialing +39.

Q

How do I dial an Italian mobile number from the United States?

A

To dial an Italian mobile number from the US, enter the US exit code (011), followed by the country code (39), and then the full mobile number including its leading digit (usually a 3).

Q

Why is my call to Italy failing?

A

Calls usually fail because of a missing exit code, an omitted leading zero in the local number, or because your current phone plan does not include international calling permissions.

Q

Are text messages to +39 numbers expensive?

A

SMS pricing depends entirely on your domestic mobile carrier's international messaging rates. Many modern smartphone messaging apps bypass traditional carrier SMS costs by using Wi-Fi or mobile data instead.

Q

Can I use a virtual number for Italian SMS verification?

A

Yes. Many online users utilize virtual number providers to receive verification codes and text messages from Italian platforms when registering accounts or testing web services.

Q

Is Vatican City included in the +39 country code?

A

Yes. Vatican City relies on the Italian telephone numbering plan, meaning phone numbers within Vatican City also use the +39 country code.

Q

What should I do if I get a suspicious missed call from +39?

A

If you do not recognize the number and have no personal or business connections in Italy, it is safest not to call back. Returning unfamiliar international calls can sometimes incur unexpected premium charges.

Q

How long are Italian phone numbers?

A

Italian phone number lengths vary. Landline numbers typically have nine to ten digits including the area code and leading zero, while mobile numbers generally have ten digits total.

Q

How do I format an Italian phone number for WhatsApp?

A

To add an Italian contact to WhatsApp, enter the plus sign (+), followed by 39, followed by the complete local number with its leading zero. Do not include any dashes, parentheses, or spaces.

Conclusion

Understanding how the country code +39 works ensures that your international calls, text messages, and digital verifications connect without frustrating errors. Always remember to include the leading zero of the local Italian number after the +39 prefix. Whether you are planning a trip, conducting business, or managing online accounts, correct number formatting remains the key to seamless international communication.