Netherlands Phone Number Format: +31 Dialing Guide

Introduction

One missing digit and a call to the Netherlands won't connect. The most common culprit? A leading zero that should have been dropped — or kept.

Dutch numbers follow a clean, predictable system once you know the rule behind that zero. This guide breaks down the Netherlands phone number format piece by piece: the country code, area codes, mobile numbers, special prefixes, and exactly how to dial in and out without guessing.

THE BASICS: COUNTRY CODE +31 AND THE TRUNK ZERO

Every Dutch number sits on two foundations: the country code and the trunk code.

The country code is +31. You need it whenever you call the Netherlands from another country.

The Trunk Zero Rule

Inside the Netherlands, numbers start with a 0 — the trunk code. When you call from abroad using +31, that leading 0 is dropped.

That single rule explains most failed calls. Keep the 0 for domestic dialing; drop it the moment you add +31.

Number Length

A full Dutch number, including the area code but excluding the trunk 0, is 9 digits long. The Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) regulates the national numbering plan.

DUTCH LANDLINE (GEOGRAPHIC) NUMBERS

Landline numbers are tied to a specific region. Their structure is: trunk 0 + area code + subscriber number.

Area codes — netnummers in Dutch — are either two or three digits.

How the Digits Split

• Big cities get short two-digit area codes and longer 7-digit subscriber numbers.
• Smaller towns get three-digit area codes and shorter 6-digit subscriber numbers.

Either way, the total adds up to the same 9 digits after the trunk 0.

Common Netherlands Area Codes

DUTCH MOBILE NUMBERS: THE 06 PREFIX

Mobile numbers work differently from landlines — they're not tied to any region.

Every Dutch mobile number starts with 06 when dialed locally, followed by an 8-digit subscriber number. That's 10 digits total including the trunk 0.

Mobile vs. International

Locally a mobile reads 06 12345678. Internationally, you drop the 0: +31 6 12345678.

Most Dutch mobile numbers begin 061, 062, 063, 064, or 065 — a quick way to recognize a cell number at a glance.

A Note for SMS and Automation

Regular +31 6 numbers aren't meant for automated, app-to-person (A2P) messaging. The Netherlands assigns a separate +31 97 range for machine-to-machine and cloud communication.

If your business sends automated SMS to Dutch customers, this distinction matters for deliverability. A provider like My Country Mobile (MCM) can set you up with compliant numbers built for the job.

SPECIAL NUMBER PREFIXES

Beyond landlines and mobiles, several prefixes signal a specific type of service — and a specific cost.

Knowing the prefix tells you what you're calling. A 0900 number can carry steep charges, while 085 numbers are simply business lines billed at normal rates.

HOW TO CALL THE NETHERLANDS FROM ABROAD

Dialing in follows a fixed four-step sequence. Get the order right and the call connects.

1. Dial your exit code — 011 from the US/Canada, 00 from most of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
2. Dial the country code — 31.
3. Drop the leading 0 from the Dutch number.
4. Dial the area code and subscriber number.

Example — Amsterdam landline from the US: 011 → 31 → 20 → xxxxxxx

Example — Dutch mobile from the UK: 00 → 31 → 6 → xxxxxxxx

HOW TO CALL OUT FROM THE NETHERLANDS

Calling another country from inside the Netherlands is just as systematic.

1. Dial the Dutch international access code: 00.
2. Dial the destination country code (1 for the US, 44 for the UK, 91 for India).
3. Dial the area code and local number, dropping any trunk 0 the destination uses.

Example — calling London from the Netherlands: 00 → 44 → 20 → xxxx xxxx

STORING DUTCH NUMBERS CORRECTLY

How you save a number decides whether it works later — especially in a CRM or contact list.

Always Use E.164 Format

Store every Dutch number in international E.164 format: +31 followed by the area or mobile prefix without the 0, then the subscriber number.

So 020 123 4567 becomes +3120123 4567, and 06 12345678 becomes +316 12345678.

Why It Matters

E.164 numbers dial correctly from anywhere in the world. A number saved in local 020... format will fail the moment someone calls it from outside the Netherlands.

For businesses managing Dutch contacts, this one habit prevents a steady trickle of failed calls. It's the same reason MCM stores all numbers in E.164 by default.

WHY USE A NETHERLANDS VIRTUAL NUMBER

You don't need an office in Amsterdam to have an Amsterdam number. A virtual Dutch number is a real +31 number that routes calls to any phone, anywhere.

It's the simplest way to build local trust in the Dutch market without a physical presence.

What You Get

• A genuine local number — an Amsterdam +31 20 line or a national +31 85 line.
• Call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, IVR menus, and call recording.
• The flexibility to add or drop numbers as you grow.

For the bigger picture on this, see our guide to getting a virtual phone number for business.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Netherlands phone number format comes down to a few firm rules. Country code is +31. Keep the trunk 0 for domestic calls, drop it for international ones. Landlines run 9 digits after the 0; mobiles start with 06 and run 10.

Save every number in E.164 format and you'll never lose a call to a formatting slip.

Reaching Dutch customers regularly? A local +31 number makes your business look established from day one. Explore MCM's Netherlands virtual numbers — set up in minutes, with call forwarding and clear, predictable rates.

FAQs