Quick answer: The Italy country code is +39. Dial it as exit code + 39 + the Italian number, exactly as written. From the US that's
011 39 …; from the UK or most of Europe it's00 39 …; from any mobile, just press+and39. Italy's big quirk: keep the leading 0 on city codes (Rome is06, Milan is02). Since 1998, Italian numbers must be dialed verbatim — drop the 0 out of habit and the call fails. Landlines start with0, mobiles start with3.
The 39 country code: how to actually call Italy without the guesswork
Italy does one thing differently from almost every other country when it comes to phone numbers. Miss it, and your call to Rome quietly fails.
The 39 country code gets you into Italy. That part is easy. The tricky part is a leading zero that you keep — when most countries tell you to drop it.
This guide breaks down the full dialing format, explains that zero, and lists the area codes for Italy's major cities. Get this right once and you'll never misdial Italy again.
The dialing format in one table
Here is the structure before we get into the details.
| Part | What to dial |
|---|---|
| Exit code | 011 from the US/Canada, 00 from most of Europe |
| Country code | 39 |
| City code / mobile prefix | Included in the number |
| The rest | The remaining digits |
The order matters. Exit code, then 39, then the full Italian number exactly as written.
How to call Italy from anywhere
This is the most common route, so let's nail it down.
From the United States or Canada
This route uses 011 as the exit code. Dial 011, then 39, then the complete Italian number. Do not strip anything out of that number — and that warning is about to matter.
A quick example. To reach a landline in Rome, which uses the city code 06, you dial the whole thing:
011 + 39 + 06 + the local number
Notice the 0 in "06" stays put.
From the rest of the world
Only the exit code changes; the rest holds. Most of Europe uses 00 as the exit code. From a mobile anywhere in the world, the + symbol replaces it — so +39 works universally.
| Calling from | Exit code |
|---|---|
| United States / Canada | 011 |
| United Kingdom | 00 |
| Australia | 0011 |
| Germany, France, Spain | 00 |
| Japan | 010 |
After the exit code, dial 39 and then the Italian number in full.
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The leading zero rule — Italy's big quirk
This is the part that catches everyone. Pay attention here.
In most countries, you drop the leading 0 of a domestic number when calling internationally. Italy is the exception.
Why Italy keeps the zero
Since 1998, Italian phone numbers must be dialed exactly as written — including that leading 0 — even from abroad. So Rome's 06 stays 06 in an international call. Drop the zero out of habit and the call simply will not connect.
How to remember it
Think of the Italian number as one unbroken string. Whatever digits appear after +39, you dial every single one. No editing, no dropping, no second-guessing. The number you see is the number you dial.
Landlines vs. mobile numbers in Italy
You can tell Italian numbers apart by their first digit. Landline numbers start with 0. Mobile numbers start with 3. That single digit tells you which type you're calling.
Dialing a landline
Landline numbers carry a geographic city code that begins with 0 — like 06 for Rome or 02 for Milan. You dial the full number including that 0. The city code length varies, which we'll cover next.
Dialing a mobile
Italian mobile numbers begin with 3 and have no separate area code. Just dial +39, then the full mobile number starting with 3. There is no leading 0 to worry about on mobiles.
Italy area codes for major cities
Italy assigns city codes by size. The two largest cities get the shortest codes. Rome and Milan are the only cities with two-digit codes. Other principal cities use three digits, and smaller towns use four.
| City | Area code |
|---|---|
| Rome | 06 |
| Milan | 02 |
| Naples | 081 |
| Turin | 011 |
| Florence | 055 |
| Venice | 041 |
| Bologna | 051 |
| Genoa | 010 |
Remember, every one of these keeps its leading 0 when you call from outside Italy.
Troubleshooting calls to Italy
If a call to Italy fails, work through this checklist.
- The call won't connect. The number-one cause is a dropped leading 0. Recheck that the city code still starts with 0, then redial.
- "Number not recognized." Confirm your exit code is correct for your country and that 39 follows it. A missing digit anywhere breaks the sequence.
- Costs adding up. Carrier international rates to Italy can be steep. VoIP calling over the internet is far cheaper and just as clear for regular calls.
Final thoughts
Calling Italy is straightforward once you know its one rule: keep the leading 0. Exit code, then 39, then the Italian number in full — every digit included. That's the difference between a connected call and a dead line. Landlines start with 0, mobiles start with 3, and the number you see is the number you dial.
For frequent calls or a local Italian presence, My Country Mobile makes connecting to Italy simple and affordable.
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FAQs
What is the 39 country code used for?
It is the international dialing code for Italy. You dial it after your exit code and before the full Italian phone number.
How do I call Italy from the US?
Dial 011, then 39, then the complete Italian number including its leading 0. For Rome, that means 011 + 39 + 06 + the local number.
Why do I keep the leading 0 when calling Italy?
Since 1998, Italian numbers must be dialed exactly as written, including the leading 0 on landline city codes — even from abroad. Dropping it causes the call to fail.
How do I tell an Italian landline from a mobile?
Check the first digit. Landline numbers begin with 0, mobile numbers begin with 3.
What are the area codes for Rome and Milan?
Rome uses 06 and Milan uses 02. They are the only two Italian cities with two-digit city codes; others use three or four digits.
Do Italian mobile numbers have an area code?
No. Mobile numbers in Italy start with 3 and have no geographic code. You dial +39 followed by the full mobile number.
Can I get an Italian phone number without living in Italy?
Yes. A virtual +39 number from MCM gives you a local Italian line that rings on any device, wherever you are based.
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