How to Call the US from Belgium? Dialing Steps, Cost, & Tips

Before dialing from Belgium to the United States, consider the Belgium exit code and the US phone number format. These prefixes are essential to route your call accurately to the intended recipient.

The exit code for Belgium is 00. You must include it at the beginning when dialing international numbers from Belgium. This prefix tells the telephone network that you’re making an international call.

The international phone number format for the US starts with the country code, followed by the area code, then the subscriber's number. The country code for the US is 1. It directs any international calls from any country towards the US.

Likewise, the area code represents the geographical location of the number. And subscriber number refers to the unique phone number assigned to an individual or business.

To call the United States from Belgium, dial the Belgium exit code, the US country code, the area code, and the local phone number.

• Step 1: Dial Belgium’s exit code, 00.
  (Alternatively, you can use the plus sign (+) when calling from a mobile phone.)
• Step 2: Enter the United States country code, 1.
• Step 3: Dial the three-digit area code of the U.S. city or region you want to call.
• Step 4: Dial the seven-digit local phone number.

In the U.S., landline and mobile phone numbers follow the same format, so the dialling steps remain the same regardless of the type of number you're calling.

The best time to call the USA from Belgium is 9 AM to 5 PM, the official business hours in the United States. So, if you’re planning to make a business call to the US, it’s best to call during that window. For personal calls, target your calls at early evenings when people are generally free.

However, because Belgium and the United States are in different time zones, it’s crucial to understand the time difference before placing your call.

Belgium operates on Central European Time (CET). On the other hand, the United States spans six primary time zones: Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, Alaska, and Hawaii-Aleutian. Belgium is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET) and even more for other U.S. time zones.

Here is a helpful table to guide you when planning a call from Belgium to the US:

The cost of calling the United States from Belgium depends on your service provider, call type, and whether you're using a mobile, landline, or digital calling service. Prices can vary widely depending on your calling plan or whether you’re using pay-as-you-go rates. On average, calling rates to Belgium range between $0.02 and $0.40 per minute.

You can use a VoIP service or a free internet-based application to reduce the cost while calling from the US to Belgium. Wifi calling and calling cards are other desirable options for international calls.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services offer international calling rates that are more budget-friendly compared to traditional phone carriers. The calls are made using virtual phone numbers. These numbers operate over the internet and help you avoid the hefty cost of a traditional phone system.

Apps like WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger provide free messaging and calling services over the internet. They are convenient to use, with automatic updates and cloud-based storage ensuring your chats and data remain accessible across devices. However, both you and the recipient must be using the same app for the call.

Wi-Fi calling lets you make and receive phone calls using a wireless internet connection instead of a mobile network. Many smartphones have this feature built in, and most carriers now support it.

When you're in Belgium and connected to Wi-Fi, you can call US numbers using your regular phone app, without roaming charges. It's especially helpful in areas with poor mobile coverage and doesn't require third-party apps.

International calling cards offer prepaid minutes for making long-distance calls at discounted rates. Once purchased, you dial a local access number and enter a PIN before making your call to the US. They’re a good option if you don’t have access to the internet or want to control your call spending with a fixed budget.

Calling the USA from Belgium involves a specific dialing format, involving various unique prefixes like exit codes, country codes, and area codes. Once you understand the proper sequence, you can accurately connect your call.

However, making international calls using the traditional carrier often comes with higher charges and potential network issues. Virtual phone numbers offer the most affordable and reliable alternative to traditional telephone carriers.