The first stumbling block is formatting. Germany's country code is +49, and domestic numbers start with a 0 that gets dropped when you call from abroad. Write it wrong and the call fails.
This guide covers how German numbers look, how many digits they have, how to dial them from the US, the main number types, how to get one, and how to choose between a physical and a virtual option.
Key Takeaways
- +49 is Germany's country code; drop the domestic leading 0 after it.
- German numbers have no single fixed length.
- Your options: mobile SIM/eSIM, geographic number, toll-free or service number, or virtual number.
- Check identity, address, SMS, caller ID, and emergency-calling terms with the provider first.
German Phone Number Format: Country Code, Area Codes, and Digits
The three parts of a number
A German number has a country code, a prefix (a geographic area code or a mobile prefix), and a subscriber number. Take Berlin's reserved media example, +49 30 23125 000:
- +49: country code
- 30: Berlin area code
- 23125 000: subscriber number
0049 is the same country code written with the 00 international access prefix used in many countries. From the US, you'd use 011 49 or a + on a mobile phone.
The leading 0
Domestically, Berlin numbers start with 030. Internationally, that 0 disappears: +49 30 ..., never +49 030 .... That's Germany's national trunk prefix, and it's only used for calls inside the country.
How many digits?
There's no fixed total length. Germany's telecom regulator, BNetzA, lists roughly 5,200 local areas, and area codes run 2 to 5 digits. The 2025 ITU plan gives national numbers a minimum of 3 and a general maximum of 13 digits, excluding the country code, with a few 14-digit exceptions for paging and similar services.
Mobile lengths vary too. Some 151x and 176 allocations run 11 digits, while 160x and 170 allocations run 10 (national digits, excluding the 0).
Writing conventions
Spaces and hyphens are cosmetic. You'll often see +49 (0)30 ..., with the zero in parentheses to show it's used domestically but skipped internationally. The ITU's E.123 standard discourages parentheses in international format, so write +49 30 ... when you can.
How to Dial and Write German Phone Numbers
From the United States
- Dial
011for the US exit code (or press+on a mobile). - Enter
49, Germany’s country code. - Enter the area or mobile prefix without its leading 0.
- Enter the subscriber number.
| Format | Berlin example |
|---|---|
| Domestic | 030 23125 000 |
| International | +49 30 23125 000 |
| From a US landline | 011 49 30 23125 000 |
Don't dial both +49 and the 0. That's the single most common mistake.
Within Germany
Dial 0 plus the area code plus the subscriber number. Within the same local area, most providers let you dial just the subscriber number.
Mobile prefixes versus area codes
Mobile numbers begin with 015, 016, or 017. These identify a network allocation, not a city. Only geographic area codes tie a number to a place.
An example is +49 171 39200 00, a reserved media number. Note that 0164, 0168, and 0169 are paging exceptions, not regular mobile prefixes.
Special numbers
Cost and reachability change when you call from abroad, over VoIP, or from a mobile.
BNetzA warns against assuming that 0800 calls are free from outside Germany. For 0180 and 0900 numbers, no uniform rule on foreign reachability or pricing exists, so the originating network decides.
Types of German Phone Numbers and Their Uses
Geographic, mobile, and virtual
- Geographic numbers carry an area code and require a demonstrable link to that area. They suit location-associated business communication.
- Mobile SIM/eSIM numbers (
015,016,017) travel with a handset and suit everyday personal use. - Virtual numbers describe how a number is delivered, not a separate German range. Calls forward to a phone you already have, which suits people who need German reachability from elsewhere.
Service and non-geographic numbers
| Prefix | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0800 | Toll-free | Free for callers in Germany; not guaranteed free from abroad |
| 0180 | Shared-cost | Since December 2021, from €0.039/min to €0.14/min or €0.06 to €0.20 per call |
| 0900 | Premium-rate | From €0.49 to €2.99/min; German law caps charges at €3/min and requires a price announcement |
| 032 | National subscriber | Non-geographic, not premium; requires a German residence or company location |
| 0700 | Personal | Location-independent; capped at €0.09/min |
Applicants for these ranges generally need a domestic address or an authorized recipient in Germany.
Virtual numbers in practice
Tossable Digits' German (+49) numbers suit:
- Businesses entering European markets
- E-commerce sellers serving EU customers
- Consultants and agencies with European clients
- Expats and frequent travelers
Forwarding, SMS, and voicemail come included. A virtual number is a reachability tool, not proof of a physical German office, so don't present it as one.
How to Get a German Phone Number
The main routes
- Buy and register a prepaid SIM
- Take a mobile contract
- Activate an eSIM
- Obtain a business or geographic number
- Select a virtual number from a specialist provider
SIMs and eSIMs
German law (TKG §172) requires providers to collect identity and address data and verify it before prepaid service is used. Methods vary by provider:
- O2 accepts German ID cards, passports, and residence permits, with online, video, or postal identification.
- Vodafone CallYa asks for name, address, and date of birth, with eID, video, or Post office checks.
- Telekom accepts German ID, eID, residence permits, or passports; a passport may need extra address proof.
Foreign customers should confirm with each operator whether a German address is required. eSIM identity checks also differ by provider, so ask how verification works for your plan.
Business and geographic numbers
Providers must ensure the local link before assigning a geographic number. Expect to supply evidence such as a business location or residence in the area. Requirements differ by number type and provider.
Virtual numbers
Virtual doesn't mean exempt from the numbering rules. When comparing providers, check:
- Availability in your chosen German city or area
- Inbound and outbound calling
- SMS support and caller ID
- Forwarding destinations and voicemail
- App or API access
A virtual option: Tossable Digits
Tossable Digits offers German (+49) numbers that forward to any phone worldwide, with no second device or SIM needed. More than 60 features, including SMS, voicemail, and outbound caller ID, are included. There's no contract, and you can cancel anytime.
Registration is strict. You need your name, company, contact number, address, and government-issued ID. The address must be in Germany, in the same city or area as the number, with a utility bill dated within the last six months. Tossable Digits can't sell a German number to an address outside Germany.
Choosing the Right German Number for Your Needs
Match the number type to how you plan to use it, then compare features and compliance before you buy.
A quick decision framework
- Everyday personal use in Germany: mobile SIM/eSIM
- Location-associated business communication: geographic number
- Customer contact lines: toll-free or service number, where eligible
- Flexible remote access or privacy: virtual number
Once you know the type, compare providers on the points that affect day-to-day use.
Criteria to compare
- Call direction (inbound, outbound, or both)
- SMS and two-factor authentication needs
- How long you'll keep it
- Physical-presence requirements
- Caller ID, forwarding, and voicemail
- International accessibility
- Cost structure and cancellation terms
Before you activate a number, run through this compliance and reliability checklist.
Compliance and reliability checklist
- Identity registration: confirm what documents and address proof apply.
- Emergency calling: TKG §164 requires number-based services with outgoing calls to support free
110and112. Confirm your provider implements this; virtual products vary. - Premium-rate charges: check tariffs before dialing
0900or0180numbers. - Call recording: German data-protection authorities say consent must come before recording; an announcement alone isn't enough. StGB §201 criminalizes unauthorized recording.
- Marketing calls: UWG §7 requires consent for consumer cold calls.
- SMS and short codes: a virtual number may not receive every bank or app OTP. Ask the provider and the sender.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a German phone number?
Register a prepaid SIM or eSIM, take a mobile contract, request a business number, or choose a virtual number. Identity, address, availability, and verification requirements vary by provider.
What does a German phone number look like?
It has +49, a geographic or mobile prefix without the 0, and a subscriber number. For example, +49 30 23125 000 is a reserved Berlin media number.
How many digits is a German phone number?
It varies by area, mobile prefix, and service type. National numbers generally run 3 to 13 digits, excluding +49.
Is +49 a German code?
Yes. +49 is Germany's international calling code. The domestic leading 0 is separate and is dropped after +49.
Can I get a German phone number without living in Germany?
It depends on the provider and number type. SIM registration requires identity and address checks. Some virtual providers, Tossable Digits among them, require a German address in the number's city or area.
What is the difference between a German mobile number and a virtual number?
A mobile number runs on a SIM or eSIM tied to a network. A virtual number is managed over the internet and forwards calls to another phone. SMS compatibility, forwarding, and verification support differ, so confirm each with the provider.
