
28 Jul 2026
Whether you want to reach friends in Rome, check in with family in Milan, or handle business in Naples, making an international call to Italy requires knowing the right dialing format. This guide covers everything needed to call Italy correctly-from the country code and area codes to time zones and ways to send money through Ace Money Transfer.
If you're in a hurry, here's the fastest answer. The country code for Italy is 39, and callers out to Italy must use +39 to ensure the call is routed correctly. Every international call to an Italian number must include this code after your international access prefix (00 or +).
The standard dialing pattern from most countries is:
00 + 39 + Italian number in full national format
Here are two concrete examples of how this works in practice:
Landline (Rome): 00 39 06 6982 1234 - where 06 is the area code for Rome
Mobile: 00 39 345 678 9123 - where the 3xx prefix indicates a mobile phone
On a mobile phone, the + symbol replaces the specific international dialing prefix when calling from a mobile. So those same examples become:
+39 06 6982 1234 (Rome landline)
+39 345 678 9123 (mobile)
Italy is among the few countries where the leading zero of area codes must be retained when dialing internationally. For example, you still dial 06 for Rome-not 6. Dropping that zero will cause your call to fail.
The +39 code is essential for both calls and texts to Italian numbers from abroad. This same dialing format works whether you're using a physical SIM, a VoIP app, or a calling card, as long as the country code and sequence are correct.
Let's walk through the exact steps to dial Italy from abroad. The process is the same whether you're calling an Italian land line or a mobile phone-the only difference is what comes after the country code.
When dialing an Italian number from abroad, include the international exit code followed by +39 and the local number. The exit code varies depending on where you're calling from:
Most European and many other countries use 00 as the exit code.
In North America (the USA and Canada), the exit code is 011.
On mobile phones, you can simply tap the + sign, which replaces any exit code automatically.
Always confirm the correct exit code for your own country before placing the call.
Follow this sequence for every international call to Italy:
Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 from Europe, 011 from the USA)
Dial 39 - the country code for Italy
Dial the Italian area code (for landlines, keep the leading 0) or mobile prefix
Dial the remaining local number
Calling a Milan land line from abroad:
00 + 39 + 02 + local subscriber number
Full example: 00 39 02 1234 5678
Here, 02 is the area code for Milan. The leading zero stays.
Calling an Italian mobile from abroad:
00 + 39 + 347 + remaining digits
Full example: 00 39 347 123 4567
Italian mobile numbers begin with the digit 3 after the country code, followed by 8 or 9 more digits (commonly 10 digits total including the 3xx prefix).
When saving a contact, store every Italian telephone number in international format with +39 so it works from any country and any device. For example, save +39 02 1234 5678 rather than just the domestic number.
When using VoIP services or calling apps to dial actual phone numbers (not app-to-app calls), you still need to include +39 and the full national number. Some VoIP dial pads accept only the +39 format rather than 00 39, so the international format is always the safest choice.
Quick recap: Exit code ? 39 ? area code or mobile prefix ? local number

Italy uses geographic area codes for landlines. These codes always start with 0, and Italian landline area codes retain their leading zero when dialed internationally. The area code comes immediately after +39 and before the local subscriber number.
Major cities have shorter, well-known area codes (two digits including the zero), while smaller towns use longer regional codes with three or four digits. Here are the most commonly searched city examples and how to dial each from abroad:
Rome: Area code 06 ? dial +39 06 6982 1xxx
Milan: Area code 02 ? dial +39 02 1234 5678
Naples: Area code 081 ? dial +39 081 765 4321
Turin: Area code 011 ? dial +39 011 xxx xxxx
Florence: Area code 055 ? dial +39 055 xxx xxxx
Venice: Area code 041 ? dial +39 041 xxx xxxx
When Italian landline numbers are written domestically, they already include the area code with its leading 0. From abroad, dial the number exactly as written after adding +39. Do not delete the leading 0 from Italian area codes when calling from overseas-this is one of the most common mistakes and will cause the call to fail or misroute entirely.

Italian mobile phones do not use geographic area codes. Instead, they use specific mobile prefixes that always start with 3. There is no trunk prefix to remove when international dialing to an Italian mobile-callers dial them exactly as written after adding +39.
The typical mobile format is:
Country code: +39
Mobile prefix: 3 followed by 2 more digits (e.g., 320, 333, 347)
Remaining subscriber digits: usually 7 more, for a total of 10 digits after +39
Common Italian mobile prefixes include:
320, 327, 328, 329 - various GSM/UMTS networks
330, 333, 334, 339 - other frequently seen mobile prefixes
340, 347, 348, 349 - additional common mobile series
Due to number portability, the prefix no longer reliably indicates which operator the subscriber uses. What matters is that Italian mobile numbers begin with the digit 3 after the country code, every time.
Here's a quick comparison between landline and mobile formats:
Landline (Rome): +39 06 6982 xxxx
Mobile: +39 347 123 4567
Knowing the current time in Italy before you dial helps you avoid calling at inconvenient hours-nobody wants to wake up friends or family at 3 AM, and businesses won't answer outside office hours.
Italy operates on a single time zone across the entire country:
Winter (standard time): Central European Time (CET), which is UTC+1
Summer (daylight saving time): Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+2
Daylight saving time begins on the last Sunday in March (clocks move forward one hour) and ends on the last Sunday in October (clocks move back). Time zone differences may change with daylight saving time, so always double-check near those transition dates.
15 January (winter): When it is 9:00 AM in New York (USA), it is 3:00 PM in Rome - a 6-hour difference.
15 July (summer): When it is 9:00 AM in London, it is 10:00 AM in Milan - Italy is typically 1 hour ahead of the UK during summer.
March (before DST switch): Italy and Cape Verde have different local times. When it is 9:00 AM in Cape Verde (UTC?1), it is 11:00 AM in Rome - a 2-hour difference. To call Italy from Cape Verde, use 00 + 39 + local number.
Some other interesting comparisons: the current time in Italy is the same as Sierra Leone (both UTC+1 in winter). Sierra Leone's country code is 232 for international calls, and to reach someone there from Italy, you would dial 00 + 232 + 8 digit mobile number. Italy is also 15 hours behind Vanuatu, so reaching someone in the Pacific requires careful planning. To call Vanuatu from Italy, dial 00 + 678 + mobile code + number.
For businesses, aim to call during Italian office hours: roughly 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
For personal calls to friends and family, early evening in Italy (around 6:00–9:00 PM) is usually the most convenient time.
Use your smartphone's world clock app or an online time converter to check the live local time in the specific Italian city you're calling before you dial.

Here are quick answers to the most frequently asked questions about calling Italy:
What number do I dial to call Italy from any country? The international dialing format is always exit code + 39 + full Italian number. From the USA: 011 39 347 123 4567. From most of Europe or Cape Verde: 00 39 347 123 4567. On mobiles worldwide: +39 347 123 4567. The code for Italy is always 39, regardless of where you're calling from.
Do I need to dial an area code when calling Italy? For landlines, yes-the area code (with its leading 0) is mandatory. For mobile phone numbers, the 3xx prefix is already part of the number, so no separate area code is needed. Note that emergency numbers in Italy do not require the country code when dialing locally.
How much does it cost to call Italy? Per-minute rates vary widely depending on your operator, whether you're calling a landline or mobile, and whether you use a traditional carrier, calling card, or VoIP app. Calls to Italian mobiles are often more expensive than calls to landlines. We recommend checking your provider's current rate tables before placing the call.
How should I save Italian numbers in my contacts? When saving Italian contacts, include +39 and the leading zero (for landlines) for accurate dialing. For example, save a Rome number as +39 06 6982 1234 and a mobile as +39 347 123 4567. International numbers should be saved in E.164 format for best results-this ensures the number works correctly when you travel, switch SIMs, or change devices.
Beyond calling Italy via its country code 39, many people also need to send money to Italy. Ace Money Transfer offers a convenient, secure digital remittance service that makes this straightforward, whether you're sending a one-off payment or setting up regular transfers.
Ace Money Transfer is designed for anyone sending remittances to Italy-supporting family, paying tuition, covering rent or living expenses, or handling business payments. It works for both regular recurring transfers and occasional one-off payments.
The Ace Money Transfer process follows six clear steps:
Register or log in to your Ace account using your email address, Google account, or Apple ID.
Choose Italy as the destination country and select a payout option: bank deposit, mobile wallet (where available), or cash pickup at partner locations.
Enter the recipient's details carefully-full name, city in Italy, and for bank deposits, the IBAN and BIC/SWIFT codes. For mobile wallet or cash pickup, provide the relevant information as prompted.
Select a payment method such as a debit card, credit card, or online bank transfer from your local bank.
Add a payment reason (e.g., family support, rent, tuition) and confirm all transfer details before clicking "Pay Now."
Track the transaction in real time using the reference tracking number provided in your Ace account.
Bank Deposit: Direct credit to the recipient's Italian bank account using their IBAN. Typically processes within 1–2 business days.
Cash Pickup: Over-the-counter collection at authorized partner bank branches or payout agents, often available same-day or next day.
Mobile Wallet: Instant credit to compatible digital wallet accounts in Italy, where the service is enabled for that corridor.
Transfers can be initiated entirely online without visiting a branch. Real-time tracking offers transparency and peace of mind, and secure payment processing with digital anti-fraud checks helps protect your funds throughout the process.
If you're considering a transfer, think about which country you're sending money from, and whether your recipient in Italy prefers bank deposit, cash pickup, or wallet. Using a dedicated remittance platform like Ace can be more cost-effective and convenient than traditional bank-to-bank wire transfers, especially for smaller, frequent payments.

With Italy's country code +39 and the right dialing sequence in hand, staying connected with people in Italy is straightforward. Whether you're calling friends in Rome, reaching a business contact in Florence, or sending money to family through Ace Money Transfer, getting these details right saves you time and frustration. We hope this guide gives you the confidence to dial Italy correctly on your very next call-and to explore Ace Money Transfer the next time you need to send funds to an Italian bank account, wallet, or cash pickup point.