How to Call Germany from the US? Dialing Steps, Costs & Tips

Before contacting Germany from the US, make sure you know the exit code of America, along with the country code of Germany and the correct German phone number format that includes the area code/mobile prefix and the local number. Further, make sure to check if international calling is active and if you have enough credit/balance required for the call.

• US International Exit Code: When you call outside your country, you have to enter an exit code to inform the carrier that you are dialing abroad. In the case of the US, dial 011 from a landline or use the “+” symbol on a mobile phone.
• Germany’s Country Code: After the exit code, you need to dial the country code to specify which country you are calling. Since Germany’s country code is 49, you must dial it after the exit code. It applies to both landline and mobile numbers.
• Mobile Prefix/Area Code: German phone numbers use different prefixes for landlines and mobile phones. Landline area codes vary by city, such as 030 for Berlin, 089 for Munich, and 0341 for Leipzig, while mobile numbers usually begin with 015, 016, or 017. When calling from the USA, always remove the leading 0, as it is only used for domestic calls within Germany.
  
  For example, while calling a Berlin number is 030 123456 from the US, it becomes 011 49 30 123456, where the initial zero is removed from the area code.
• Local Phone Number: The local German phone number, also known as the subscriber number, is dialed after the exit code, country code, and mobile prefix/area code. The subscriber number is usually 7 to 8 digits, depending on the prefix, whereas it includes 3-8 digits in the case of a landline.
• International Calling Enabled: Since some carriers require manual activation before international dialing, you have to activate the service first. To do so, you can contact the carrier or simply activate the service from their website.
• Active Service or Sufficient Balance: Your phone line must be active with enough balance or credit. Otherwise, calls fail or end midway if your account has restrictions or insufficient funds

To dial a German number from the USA, you must use the US exit code, Germany’s country code, and the correct German phone number format. The dialing steps vary slightly depending on whether you are calling from a mobile phone or a landline.

To call Germany from the US on your cell phone, dial the + symbol, then enter 49, followed by the German mobile prefix/area code and the local number.

Steps to follow:

1. Hold the “0” key on your keypad until the + appears.
2. Dial the German country code “49”.
3. Enter the mobile prefix or area code, making sure to drop the leading zero.
4. Enter the remaining local number and press call.

To call Germany from the US using a landline, first dial 011, then enter 49, followed by the German area code/mobile prefix without the leading zero, and then the subscriber number.

Steps to follow:

1. Dial the US exit code 011.
2. Press the German country code “49”.
3. Enter the area code/mobile prefix without the initial zero.
4. Dial the subscriber’s number to connect.

Here is an example to show you how a German landline and a mobile phone number should look when dialing from the USA:

• For landline phone number:

  [Exit Code] + [Country Code] + [Area Code (no 0)] + [Subscriber Number]
  011 49 30 XXXXXX or + 49 30 XXXXXX

• For mobile phone number:

  [Exit Code] + [Country Code] + [Mobile Prefix (no 0)] + [Subscriber Number]
  011 49 171 XXXXXXX or + 49 171 XXXXXXX

The cost of calling Germany from the United States can range from $0.20 to over $3 per minute, depending on your carrier and whether you’re calling a German landline or mobile number. Without any international plans or add-ons, calls made through traditional US mobile or landline carriers are usually the most expensive.

For instance, AT&T charges $3 per minute, whereas calls to Germany using Verizon cost around $2.49 per minute. These pay-per-minute charges can add up quickly, especially for long or frequent calls. But you can use alternative ways to make your calls to Germany cheaper.

You can make cheap calls to Germany by activating an international calling plan or add-on for traditional carrier calling. Many US carriers offer monthly international packages that offer lower per-minute rates or include a set number of international minutes for Germany, ranging from $15-$20 per month. This is a good option if you make regular calls and want predictable billing.

Another affordable option is international calling cards. These prepaid cards allow you to call Germany at discounted rates by dialing an access number first. Calling cards are widely available online and can be helpful for occasional calls, though rates and connection quality may vary by provider.

You can also reduce costs by switching to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)-based calling services such as Google Voice. These services often use virtual phone numbers and internet routing instead of traditional phone networks, which helps lower calling costs. In fact, these services start with a monthly price of about $12/month, depending on the features offered.

You can call Germany for free by using internet-based calling apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and WeChat. However, both you and the person you’re calling must have the same app installed and a stable internet connection.

These platforms allow free voice and video calls over Wi-Fi or mobile data, eliminating per-minute charges entirely. While call quality depends on your internet connection, this is the most cost-effective option for staying in touch with contacts in Germany.

The best time to call Germany from the US falls in early mornings between 3 AM and 11 AM US time, but it also depends on your local time zone. For professional calls, dial between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM ET to reach German offices before they close, especially on Fridays when many end at 4:00 PM local time. For personal calls, the best window is 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM ET, reaching friends and family during their evening hours (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM CET).

Here is the table for the best time to call Germany from the US based on different time zones.

Note: Time differences may shift slightly during daylight saving time, as the US and Germany switch clocks on different dates.

Calling Germany from the USA doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Once you understand the correct dialing format, required codes, and time zone differences, you can place calls confidently without failed attempts or unexpected charges. While traditional carriers work, they’re often costly without international plans, and free apps depend heavily on internet quality and app availability on both ends.