How to Call Greece from the US? A Step-by-Step Guide

Before calling from the US to Greece, it’s essential to understand the various calling codes involved in the Greek phone number format. These include Greece country entry code, the area code, and the local number. Also, you have to know about the US exit code that routes your calls internationally.

When calling any number from the US, it starts with the US exit code, which is 011. By dialling this number, you inform your network that you’re trying to call an international number.

When calling from a mobile phone, you can replace the US exit code with the ‘+’ symbol.

Every international phone number format includes a country code, which is dialed immediately after the exit code. The country code for Greece is ‘30’. It tells your telephone network to identify Greece as your target destination for the call.

The area code in the phone number represents which city the number belongs to. It routes your call to the specific region within the country.

Every Greek city has its own code, which begins with the digit ‘2’. The Greek area code can be 2-4 digits long, depending on the region.

Note: The Greece area codes are only used in the landline numbers, not mobile numbers.

Some Popular Area Codes in Greece:

Greek mobile numbers don’t use an area code. Instead, they include the mobile prefix, beginning with the ‘69’ digit. They’re usually 3 digits long and unique for each mobile carrier.

Greek local numbers, also known as subscriber numbers, are the final parts of the Greek phone number. It's a unique number assigned to the person or business.

To call from the US to Greece, dial the US exit code, followed by the Greek country code, area code, and the local phone number.

However, the area codes are replaced by mobile prefixes when dialing cell phone numbers in Greece.

To call a Greek landline from the US, dial 011 (US exit code), then 30 (Greece’s country code), followed by the Greek area code and the local number.

1. Dial the US exit code: 011 (or “+” from a mobile).
2. Enter Greece’s country code: 30.
3. Add the Greek area code (2–3 digits, depending on the city).
4. Dial the subscriber’s landline number.

To call a Greek mobile from the US, dial 011 (US exit code), then 30 (Greece’s country code), followed by the mobile prefix (beginning with ‘69’) and the subscriber’s number.

1. Dial 011 or “+”.
2. Enter the country code: 30.
3. Dial the mobile prefix (typically starting with 69).
4. Enter the remaining digits of the mobile number.

To call a Greek toll-free number from the USA, dial the US exit code, the Greek country code, the Greek toll-free prefix (usually 800), and the local subscriber number.

1. Dial the US exit code: 011 (or use “+” when calling from a mobile).
2. Enter Greece’s country code: 30.
3. Dial the Greek toll-free prefix.
4. Key in the subscriber number.

Note: Calling the Greece toll-free numbers from overseas may not be free. And, in some cases, the call may not connect at all, since many toll-free lines are restricted to domestic callers only.

The best time to call Greece from the US is 9 AM to 5 PM in Greece. This window is ideal for business calls, as most Greek offices are open during these hours. For personal calls, you can call at a convenient time for the receiver. However, it’s recommended to avoid the early morning or late evening calls.

Also, be mindful that the United States and Greece are in different time zones. So, there’s a significant time difference between the countries.

Greece is 7 hours to 10 hours ahead of the US, depending on the different time zones. Greece follows a single time zone - Eastern European Time (EET), while the US follows multiple time zones.

Here’s the table that shows the best time to call Greece from various time zones in the US:

The cost to call from the US to Greece can vary depending on your carrier and available plans. On average, calls to Greece can range between $0.20 and $3.50 per minute when using traditional phone services.

Traditional carriers often charge high rates for international calls. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services, calling cards, and internet-based apps are cost-effective alternatives to traditional carriers.

• VoIP Services: VoIP service providers allow you to make calls over the internet using virtual phone numbers. The calling rate is often lower than traditional carriers. Also, you can configure and use these numbers from your existing mobile. So, you can avoid hardware costs too.
• Calling Cards: Prepaid international calling cards let you buy calling minutes in advance at competitive rates. Popular providers like Toolani, Pingo, and Tracfone offer affordable options for calling Greece.
• Messaging & Calling Apps: Free apps such as WhatsApp, Messenger, Viber, or Instagram allow you to call over Wi-Fi or mobile data. However, both you and the person in Greece need to be using the same app for the calls.

Dialing Greece from the USA is straightforward with the right dialing sequence. The key is dialing the correct international prefixes and codes in the right order. Moreover, it's important to consider the time difference to ensure your call reaches at a convenient hour for your receiver.

Also, remember that traditional carriers often charge high fees for international calls. Luckily, there are various cost-effective alternatives available. A virtual phone number, in particular, is the ideal solution, especially for business calls.

Calilio’s virtual number, for instance, not only allows you to make international calls at a low rate, but it comes with additional business telephony features like call forwarding, call routing, voicemail, and more. Also, you can use them on multiple devices, including smartphones, laptops, or tablets.