How to Call Italy from the USA: Step-by-Step Brief Tips

Whether you’re a traveler about to embark on your trip to Italy or you’re conducting business with an Italian company, you’ll have to know how to call someone in Italy.

While it’s not difficult to dial Italy from the United States, there is a bit of a learning curve while you juggle international dialing rules, country and area codes, and learning the difference between landlines and cell phones.

In this post, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know.

How to Call Italy from the USA

The Basic Dialing Format

To dial a number in Italy from the U.S., you need to remember three things — the U.S. exit code (011), Italy’s country code (+39), and Italy’s area code (which always begins with a 0 and should not be omitted).

So, you dial: 011 + 39 + Italy area code with a 0 + local number. Every number is vital to making the call.

Now that you understand the basic dialing format, let’s go through the process of calling Italy from the United States.

The Process of Calling Italy from the United States

Step 1: Dial the US Exit Code: 011

The key is to dial 011 first. By adding those three numbers to the beginning of a U.S.-based call, it shows your phone that you’re planning a worldwide communication.

If a phone number has a “+” sign prefix, you don’t need to dial the exit code when calling the number. The number is an international number that does not require the call prefix.

Step 2: Dial Italy’s Country Code: 39

Next, add 39. This is Italy’s country code, like a phone number identification to dial into Italy’s network.

Step 3: Dial the Italian Area Code (Include the “0”)

You just have to remember the regional code. Don’t forget the leading “0”. It’s just like a zip code, it tells your call where to go.

Step 4: Dial the Local Number

Lastly, dial the local number. This is the “destination” of the call, i.e., the family you’re calling, the hotel, the stylish Italian restaurant, etc.

In Italy, you can’t call certain numbers from overseas. 199 and 800 numbers (which call centers often use) can’t be dialed from the United States.

Example:

Calling a hotel in Rome (area code 06) with the number 12345678: 011 + 39 + 06 + 12345678

Italy Area Code Reference

Italy is divided into 20 regions with distinct cultural and administrative differences. Being able to recognize them helps when you’re looking at area codes and cities on your phone. Here are the region codes for each main area:

Northern Italy (8 regions)

Central Italy (4 regions)

Southern Italy (6 regions)

Islands (2 regions)

Other Ways to Call Italy

Sometimes dialing Italy the “old fashioned way” isn’t the best choice. Thankfully, there are other methods that will ensure your call is easy and cost-effective!

1. VoIP Apps: WhatsApp, Skype, FaceTime, Google Voice, Viber

These apps are great because you make calls over Wi-Fi. That means they’re usually free or extremely cheap. But the downside is that you and the person you are calling often both need the same app.

Nonetheless, if you are good with tech and you both have internet, these apps are a great way to save money and stay in touch.

2. International Calling Plans

If you’re traveling with AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, check to see if they offer an international calling plan.

These plans can sometimes lower the cost of calling internationally, so it’s worth looking into what the provider offers on their website. A five-minute search could save you a lot of money and headaches on your bill.

3. Calling Cards or Services

Calling cards are a prepaid service so you’ll need to pay upfront for credit that you’ll then use to make your call(s).

The good side of that is you control your spending because that credit is going to run out eventually. You can also find cheap rates on many countries through Rebtel or Google Voice.

They’re a nice backup to have just in case you need them and they take all the trouble out of accessing the phone.

Helpful Tips

1. Double-check the Number Format Before Dialing

By the way, always double check the numbers. Just as you’d proofread a text, verify that it’s the correct number format. Otherwise, you can waste a lot of time or call the wrong number. Double-checking only takes a second.

2. Be Mindful of the Time Difference

Italy is usually 6–9 hours ahead of the U.S., so keep that in mind so you don’t call your loved ones in the middle of the night. Some scheduling is the difference between staying in touch and causing unexpected tension in the relationship.

3. Use Country Code Lookup Tools or Phone Apps

Look up tools, look up apps to see if it’s a code, a format. These are my tech friends. This is how they travel international numbers. And they will just make sure you know how to dial them, so you can all make sure you have the numbers behind it.

4. Save the Correct International Format in Your Contacts

Once you find the correct number, save it within your contacts. This will help you avoid errors and speed up the process next time. When you have that number saved, calling friends, family, or colleagues in Italy is quick and easy whenever you need.

FAQ

1. Do I need to notify my phone carrier before making an international call?

Share it manually to avoid surprises later on, albeit it is not always necessary.

2. How can I identify spam calls from Italy?

Look out for numbers you don’t recognize, and you can always go online to look them up.

3. Are there any restrictions on calling Italy during holidays?

No, but mind business hours and public holidays affecting availability.

4. Are video calls to Italy handled differently than voice calls?

No, video calls generally require the same apps and internet access to use.

5. What should I do if my call does not go through?

Make sure the dialing sequence is correct and that your plan includes international calling.

Conclusion

Dialing Italy from the U.S. can be a straightforward process once you know how to dial.

Be sure to always dial the area code fully with the initial zero. For regular calls, consider communication apps or international phone plans, which can help you avoid the hassle and expense.

With the right resources, keeping in touch with Italy becomes easy and hassle-free.