How to Call the US from Portugal? A Step-by-Step Guide
Many people in Portugal frequently call the US for business communication or to stay in touch with family and friends. However, not every call goes through successfully. One of the most common reasons for failed calls is dialing the wrong number.
The international phone number format includes unique prefixes and codes, and even a small mistake, like missing a digit or dialing the wrong code, results in a failed connection or reaching the wrong person.
In this blog, we'll guide you on how to call the US from Portugal, covering everything from dialing format to understanding the costs involved. We’ll also discuss the best times to contact someone in the US to ensure you reach them at a convenient time.
Key Highlights:
To call from Portugal to the US, use the correct sequence: Portugal’s exit code (00), the US country code (1), followed by the area code and the local number.
Portugal is 5 to 10 hours ahead of the US, depending on the varying US time zones. Consider the time differences to reach your contact at the right time.
The best time to call the US is 9 AM to 5 PM (US local time), depending on the time zone you're calling from.
Virtual phone numbers provide a more affordable alternative to make international calls at lower rates.
Things to Consider When Dialing from Portugal to the US
Before dialing from Portugal to the US, you must understand three key components in the US phone number format: the Exit Code, the Country Code, and the Area Code. These codes ensure your call is routed correctly and reaches the right destination.
- Exit Code: An exit code signals to your phone network that you’re dialing outside the country. For Portugal, the exit code is 00. Alternatively, you can replace the exit code with the “+” sign.
- Country Code: A country code routes the call to your target country. The United States' country code is 1.
- Area Code: An area code routes your call to the specific region within the country. In the USA, both landline and mobile numbers use 3-digit area codes, which are assigned based on specific cities or regions.
Here is the list of some popular US area codes, alongside their respective states:
States | Area code |
| Alaska | 907 |
| California | 661, 408, 562, 510, 925, 909, 858, 951, 650, 213, 818, 209, 707, 415, 805, 626, 530, 949, 323, 916, 619, 714, 831, 559, 760, 310 |
| Colorado | 970, 719, 303 |
| Delaware | 302 |
| Florida | 813, 954, 863, 305, 941, 904, 352, 239, 386, 727, 321, 407, 850, 561, 772 |
| Georgia | 478, 404, 770, 912, 706, 229 |
| Hawaii | 808 |
| New Jersey | 908, 973, 856, 732, 201, 609 |
| New York | 607, 585, 516, 716, 518, 631, 718, 212, 315, 914, 845 |
| Texas | 254, 713, 281, 936, 210, 817, 512, 806, 214, 409, 940, 915, 432, 972, 830, 956, 325, 979, 361, 903 |
| Virginia | 804, 757, 540, 434, 703, 276 |
| Washington | 253, 509, 206, 425, 360 |
How to Call the US from Portugal?
To call the US from Portugal, dial the exit code of Portugal (00), the US country code (1), followed by the area code and the local number.
- Dial the Portuguese exit code: Start by dialing 00 or use the “+” sign.
- Enter the US country code: Dial 1, the country code of the United States.
- Add the area code: Dial the three-digit area code of the US city you're calling.
- Dial the local number: Finally, dial the seven-digit local phone number.
Examples:
- To call a landline number in New York, 212 XXX XXXX, from Portugal, dial: 00 1 212 XXX XXXX or +1 212 XXX XXXX.
In this dialing format, 00 is the Portugal exit code, 1 is the US country code, 212 is the New York area code, and the remaining digits are the subscriber's landline number. - To call an American mobile number, for example, 310 XXX XXXX, from Portugal, dial: 00 1 310 XXX XXXX or +1 310 XXX XXXX.
Here, 00 is the Portugal exit code, 1 is the US country code, 310 is the California area code, and the remaining digits are the subscriber's cell phone number. - To call a toll-free number in the US, like 800 XXX XXX from Portugal,
dial: 00 1 800 XXX XXXX or +1 800 XXX XXXX.
In this dialing structure, 00 is the Portugal exit code, 1 is the US country code, 800 is the toll-free prefix, and the remaining digits are the subscriber's toll-free number.
Note: Calling US toll-free numbers from Portugal may not always be successful. Even if the call goes through, your service provider may apply international calling fees.
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What is the Best Time for Calling the US from Portugal?
The ideal time to call a US number from Portugal for business purposes is during the afternoon or early evening in Portugal, as this overlaps with standard business hours across most US time zones. For personal calls, it’s best to consider the recipient’s local time and availability to avoid calling too early or too late.
Portugal operates on Western European Time (WET, UTC+0) and Western European Summer Time (UTC+1 during daylight saving). The United States spans six time zones, so the time difference between Portugal and the US ranges from 5 to 10 hours, depending on the region you are calling.
The table below shows the time difference and recommended calling windows from Portugal aligned with standard US business hours (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM).
US Time Zone | Portugal Time Ahead By | Best Calling Time (Portugal Time) |
| Eastern Time (ET) | 5 hours | 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Central Time (CT) | 6 hours | 3:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Mountain Time (MT) | 7 hours | 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM |
| Pacific Time (PT) | 8 hours | 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Alaska Time (AKT) | 9 hours | 6:00 PM – 3:00 AM |
| Hawaii–Aleutian Time (HAT) | 10 hours | 7:00 PM – 4:00 AM |
Note: The above-mentioned time can vary during daylight saving time.
How Much Does it Cost to Call from Portugal to the USA?
Calling a US number from Portugal can cost $0.95 to $2.98 per minute with traditional carriers, while Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services offer affordable rates around $0.01 to $0.05 per minute. Calling cards cost $0.02 to $0.10 per minute, and social media apps allow free calls.
Method | Cost Range (per minute) | Services Examples |
| Telecommunication Carriers | $0.95 – $2.98 | Vodafone, NOS, NOWO |
| Calling Cards | $0.02 – $0.10 | AT&T Calling Cards, Rebtel, Pingo |
| VoIP Phone Services | $0.01 – $0.05 | Calilio, Google Voice, RingCentral |
| Social Media Apps | Free | Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp |
Conclusion
Calling the US from Portugal is easy once you know the right method. The key is dialing in the correct sequence: Portugal exit code, US country code, area code, and local number. Along with dialing correctly, it’s important to choose the best time to make your call, ensuring it reaches the right person at the right time.
Another thing to consider is the cost. International calls through traditional carriers can be expensive, which is why many people choose VoIP solutions for better value.
Summarize this blog with:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to include the country code when calling the US from Portugal?
Yes, you need to include the US country code (1) when dialing from Portugal. The format should be 00 + 1 + area code + local number.
Will my phone plan in Portugal allow calls to the US, or do I need a special plan?
What is the format for calling a US mobile phone from Portugal?
Still have questions?
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