01 Sep 2025
Making international calls to the Netherlands doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you're reaching a business contact in Amsterdam, a friend's mobile in Rotterdam, or a government office in The Hague, the process follows a predictable pattern once you know the basics. This guide walks you through everything about the Netherlands country code, from the correct dialing format to area codes, mobile prefixes, and the special rules that apply to Dutch Caribbean territories.
The Netherlands country code for international calls is +31 (or 0031 in many dialing systems). This code is used for all international calls to landlines and mobile phones in the European part of the Netherlands. The country's calling code is +31, and it must always precede Dutch numbers when you dial from abroad.
It's important to know that Caribbean parts of the kingdom, such as Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire, use different country codes entirely. They do not share the +31 prefix with the European mainland.
The "+" sign represents the international access prefix, which varies depending on the country you're calling from. For example:
From most of Europe, the exit code is 00
From the US and Canada, it's 011
From Australia, it's 0011
From the US to Amsterdam: 011 31 20 xxx xxxx (dropping the leading 0 in the domestic area code "020").
Placing international calls to the Netherlands follows a consistent pattern, regardless of where in the world you're dialing from. Here's the practical walkthrough.
The generic dialing pattern is: international access code (exit code) + 31 + area code (without the leading 0) + local subscriber number.
Here's how that looks from specific regions:
From the US or Canada: Dial 011, then 31, then the area code without its leading 0, then the local number. For an Amsterdam landline (domestically 020 123 4567), you'd dial 011 31 20 123 4567. For a Dutch mobile (06 1234 5678), dial 011 31 6 1234 5678.
From the UK or Germany: Use 00 as the exit code. A call to Amsterdam would be 00 31 20 123 4567. A call from London to a Dutch mobile would be 00 31 6 1234 5678.
From Australia: The exit code is 0011, so you'd dial 0011 31 20 123 4567.
Keep in mind that some office or hotel phones require dialing an extra digit, often 9, to get an outside line before the international prefix. In addition, internet-based calling apps like WhatsApp or Skype typically accept the +31 format directly without requiring a local exit code.
A country calling code is the numeric prefix assigned to each country under the ITU-T E.164 numbering plan, which provides the framework for global interoperability in telecommunications. The country codes are part of the E.164 numbering plan, ensuring that telecommunications providers use country codes to identify destinations consistently across the world.
The Netherlands uses calling code 31, usually written as +31. But the country has several other identifiers used across different sectors:
ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code: NL
ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 code: NLD
ISO 3166-1 numeric code: 528
Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD): .nl
The Netherlands has an internet country code top-level domain of .nl, which is distinct from the phone country code. These various codes are found in telecoms, shipping, aviation, banking, and data systems, making them essential identifiers across western europe and beyond.
The Netherlands sits along the north sea coastline in northwestern Europe. The name itself carries geographic meaning: the term "Neder-landen" translates to "Low Countries" in the Dutch language. The Low Countries include the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, referring to the low-lying regions in this part of Europe. Even the Romans distinguished Germania Inferior as part of the Low Countries, and from 1384 to 1581, the region was ruled by the Dukes of Burgundy. The history runs deep. Later, William of Orange led the Dutch revolt that eventually shaped the modern nation, a place of flat landscapes and gentle hills near its eastern borders rather than the dramatic coastline and polders most people picture.
Both landline and mobile phone numbers in the Netherlands share the +31 country code, but they use different prefixes and length patterns. Understanding the distinction makes dialing straightforward.
Landline (geographic) numbers: After +31, you dial the area code without the leading zero, followed by the subscriber number. Area codes in the Netherlands vary by city and region, with large cities using two-digit codes and smaller areas using three-digit codes. Dutch numbers are nine digits long after the country code, combining the area code and subscriber number.
Mobile numbers: Domestically, Dutch mobile numbers start with 06 followed by eight digits. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +31 6 plus the eight-digit subscriber number. The +31 prefix is also used for mobile numbers and modern telecommunications services.
Here are concrete examples:
Amsterdam landline: +31 20 123 4567
Rotterdam landline: +31 10 234 5678
Dutch mobile: +31 6 1234 5678
Note that toll-free numbers (like 0800) or premium-rate numbers (like 0900) use different prefixes and may not be reachable when calling from another country.
If you're in the United States or Canada and need to make international calls to the Netherlands, the process is simple once you know the pattern.
The North American dialing format is: 011 (international access code) + 31 (Netherlands country code) + area code (without the leading 0) + local number.
Here are two realistic examples:
Calling an Amsterdam landline: 011 31 20 123 4567
Calling a Dutch mobile: 011 31 6 1234 5678
On many US and Canadian mobile phones, you can use the "+" symbol directly instead of dialing 011. So +31 20 123 4567 may work just as well, provided your carrier supports it.
Common mistakes to watch out for:
Keeping the leading 0 of the Dutch area code (dialing 011 31 020 instead of 011 31 20)
Forgetting to dial the 011 exit code entirely
Misdialing the country code as 30 or 13 instead of 31
Before placing your call, check with your carrier whether international dialing is enabled on your plan and what per-minute rates apply. Some providers offer bundled international calling packages that can significantly reduce costs.
Most European countries, including the UK and the entire EU, use 00 as the international access prefix when making calls to the Netherlands. The pattern is the same: 00 + 31 + area code (without the leading 0) + local number.
For example, calling an Amsterdam landline from London or Berlin would look like: 00 31 20 123 4567. Calling a Dutch mobile from anywhere in Europe: 00 31 6 1234 5678.
Countries like the UAE and India also use 00 as their exit code, so the same format applies. A caller in Dubai would dial 00 31 followed by the Dutch number without the leading zero.
On mobile phones, you can often replace 00 with the + sign, so +31 20 123 4567 works regardless of which country you're in. This is especially convenient when traveling.
Some countries use different exit codes:
Australia: 0011
Japan: 010
Always verify your local international access code if you're unsure. A quick search on wikipedia or your carrier's support page will confirm the correct prefix for your location.
After dialing the +31 country code, you need the correct area code to reach the right city or region. When calling the Netherlands from abroad, drop the leading zero from the area code, which is only used for domestic dialing.
Here are the area codes for the largest Dutch cities, shown in both domestic and international format:
Amsterdam: 020 domestically ? dialed as 20 from abroad. The Amsterdam area code is +31 20.
Rotterdam: 010 ? 10. The Rotterdam area code is +31 10.
The Hague: 070 ? 70. The Hague area code is +31 70.
Utrecht: 030 ? 30
Eindhoven: 040 ? 40
Groningen: 050 ? 50
Smaller towns and regions often have three-digit area codes. For example, Leiden uses 071 (international: 71) and Nijmegen uses 024 (international: 24). When the area code is short, the subscriber number is longer, and vice versa, but the total remains consistent.
The names of cities and their corresponding codes are straightforward once you see the pattern. If you're placing an important business call, it's worth confirming the area code via an up-to-date directory or directly with your contact, since numbering boundaries can occasionally change.
International calls to Dutch mobiles follow the same core pattern as landlines, but you use the mobile prefix instead of a geographic area code.
Within the Netherlands, all mobile numbers start with 06, followed by eight digits. From abroad, the leading 0 is removed. You dial +31 6 plus the remaining eight digits.
Example: The domestic mobile number 06 1234 5678 becomes +31 6 1234 5678 when dialed from outside the country.
From specific regions, that looks like:
From the US or Canada: 011 31 6 1234 5678
From Europe: 00 31 6 1234 5678
The "6" after +31 is what distinguishes a mobile number from a landline, making it easy to identify at a glance.
Be aware that international calls to mobile phones often carry higher per-minute rates than calls to landlines, due to mobile termination fees. If you frequently call Dutch mobile numbers, consider subscribing to an international calling plan or using VoIP-based alternatives to reduce costs. Checking your carrier's roaming or international package options can save you a significant amount over time.
The Netherlands uses several types of non-geographical numbers for services like toll-free lines, premium information, and emergency access. These don't correspond to any specific place or region.
Toll-free numbers typically start with 0800 and are free to callers within the Netherlands. However, they may not be reachable from abroad, or if they are, the caller may still be charged by their own carrier.
Other 08x prefixes serve specific purposes:
084, 085, 087, 088 are used for VoIP, business services, or shared-cost numbers
0900 is for paid-information lines
0906 is designated for adult services
0909 covers entertainment lines
These premium-rate numbers can be expensive and might be blocked by some international carriers.
The emergency number 112 works nationwide across the entire country and throughout the EU. It is dialed without any country code, directly from any phone within the Netherlands.
Non-geographical numbers that are reachable from outside the Netherlands generally still require the +31 country code. However, many such numbers have restrictions that limit or prevent international access, so always verify before relying on them from abroad.
Several Caribbean islands are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands but do not use the +31 country code. This distinction trips up many callers, so it's worth understanding clearly.
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba, collectively known as the Caribbean Netherlands, use country code +599. This code was inherited from the former Netherlands Antilles. Within +599, each island has its own prefix:
Bonaire: +599 7 xxx xxxx
Sint Eustatius: +599 3 xxx xxxx
Saba: +599 4 xxx xxxx
Other Dutch Caribbean territories within the kingdom have entirely separate codes:
Curaçao: +599 9 (sharing the +599 framework)
Aruba: +297
Sint Maarten: +1 721 (part of the North American Numbering Plan)
Despite the constitutional links between these territories and the European Netherlands, calls between +31 and +599 (or +297, +1 721) are billed as international calls with corresponding rates. If you're used to paying in euro for calls within the Netherlands, expect separate international charges for these Caribbean destinations.
Do not confuse the +31 Netherlands country code with these separate Caribbean codes. Getting the prefix wrong means your call simply won't connect.
There's an important difference between how phone numbers are written and dialed inside the Netherlands versus how they appear when called from abroad.
Within the country, callers dial a leading 0 before the area code. For Amsterdam, that's 020. For mobiles, it's 06. Local calls within the Netherlands do not require the country code. Even local calls within the same area still require the full area code, including the leading 0, due to the Dutch dialing plan.
From outside the Netherlands, the pattern changes. You use the international access code, then +31, and the leading 0 of the domestic number is dropped.
Here's how the same numbers look in both formats:
Domestic: 020 123 4567 ? International: +31 20 123 4567
Domestic: 06 1234 5678 ? International: +31 6 1234 5678
International calls to the Netherlands require dialing +31 followed by an area code (or mobile prefix) without that leading zero. The +31 code is required for international calls to Dutch numbers regardless of your origin.
Store Dutch contacts in your phone using the full +31 format. Storing phone numbers in the +31 format reduces dialing errors when communicating internationally, and ensures the number works whether you're at home or traveling.
Many failed international calls to the Netherlands come down to small format or prefix errors. A single missing digit can mean the difference between a connected call and a frustrating problem.
Here are the most frequent mistakes to avoid:
Forgetting the international access code (011 from north America, 00 from Europe) before dialing 31
Keeping the leading 0 in the Dutch area code (e.g., dialing +31 020 instead of +31 20)
Misdialing the country code as 30, 13, or another number instead of 31
Trying to reach 0800 or 0900 numbers from abroad, which may not work or may incur unexpected charges
Double-check time zones before calling. The Netherlands uses Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) and Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2), so there's a six-hour difference with the US East Coast and a one-hour difference with the UK.
If you're unsure about a number, test it via a messaging app first or confirm the correct format with your contact before an important business call. Saving frequently used Dutch numbers in the +31 international format eliminates guesswork for future calls and makes the entire process easy and reliable.
Many people now place international calls to the Netherlands through internet-based services rather than traditional carriers. Apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Zoom, and other VoIP platforms have fundamentally changed how we communicate across borders.
With VoIP, you typically don't need to dial the international access code. Entering +31 followed by the rest of the number (without the leading 0) is usually enough. The app handles the routing.
The advantages are clear:
Lower costs, especially for long-duration calls or frequent business communication
No need to memorize exit codes for your specific country
Consistent format across devices and platforms
However, there are limitations. VoIP calls depend on a stable internet connection, and call quality can vary based on bandwidth. For app-to-app calls (like WhatsApp to WhatsApp), both parties need the same application installed.
Dial +31 before the area code when saving contacts for these services. Store all numbers in the correct E.164 format (+31 followed by the nine-digit number) so they work seamlessly across devices, apps, and traditional phone systems alike.
The Dutch government oversees the national numbering plan to keep use of the +31 country code organized and efficient. This regulation ensures that the exchange and allocation of numbers remains orderly as telecom services evolve.
The official telecom regulator is the Autoriteit Consument & Markt (ACM), which manages the allocation of numbers and area codes under national and EU rules. The ACM's page on numbering policy outlines how geographic and non-geographic number blocks are distributed to providers.
A pivotal moment in Dutch telecom history was Operatie Decibel on 10 October 1995. Before that date, there were over 1,000 dialing-code areas in the Netherlands. The change consolidated them into just 141 geographic numbering regions, and standardized most numbers to a total of 10 digits domestically (including the leading 0).
The structure that emerged:
Large cities use short, two-digit area codes (after the 0) paired with seven-digit subscriber numbers
Smaller areas use three-digit area codes with six-digit subscriber numbers
Number portability is another important feature. Subscribers in the Netherlands can keep their number when switching providers, meaning the same +31-based number stays valid internationally regardless of which carrier handles it. This makes the system reliable for anyone in the english-speaking world or elsewhere who has saved a Dutch contact.
The Netherlands country code for international calls is +31, and it must always precede Dutch numbers when dialed from abroad.
The core dialing pattern is straightforward: international access code (such as 011 or 00) + 31 + area or mobile code (without the leading 0) + local subscriber number. Domestic Dutch numbers start with a 0, which is dropped once the +31 country code is applied.
Remember that Caribbean territories of the kingdom use different country codes like +599 and +297, not +31. Confusing them is a common mistake.
Once you've memorized this pattern, international calls to the Netherlands become as routine as dialing any other destination in the world. Save your Dutch contacts in the +31 format today, and you'll never have to second-guess the number again.
