The 20 country code belongs to Egypt. Whether you're calling business contacts in Cairo, family in Alexandria, or a hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, the +20 prefix connects you to the Arab world's most populous country with over 100 million people.

Quick Answer: The country code +20 is for Egypt. Egyptian numbers use a leading 0 (trunk prefix) that you must drop when calling internationally. For example, if the local number is 02 2345 6789, dial +20 2 2345 6789.

How to Call Egypt: Quick Reference

When calling Egypt, remember to drop the leading 0 from the local number. This is the most common mistake people make.

Calling From Dialing Format
US/Canada Mobile +20 [number without leading 0]
US/Canada Landline 011-20-[number without leading 0]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-20-[number without leading 0]
Germany 00-20-[number without leading 0]
UAE 00-20-[number without leading 0]
Saudi Arabia 00-20-[number without leading 0]

Egypt has a large diaspora in the Persian Gulf states (especially Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait), Europe, and North America.

Understanding Egyptian Phone Numbers

Egyptian phone numbers have different formats for mobile and landline calls. The trunk prefix 0 must be dropped when calling from abroad.

The Trunk Prefix (0)

Like the UK and most Arab countries, Egypt uses a trunk prefix of 0 for domestic calls. When calling internationally:

  • Drop the leading 0 from any Egyptian number
  • Local format: 02 2345 6789 (Cairo)
  • International format: +20 2 2345 6789

This is the most frequent mistake when calling Egypt. If your call doesn't connect, check whether you accidentally included the 0.

Mobile Numbers

Egyptian mobile numbers start with 01:

  • Local format: 01X XXXX XXXX (11 digits including trunk prefix)
  • International format: +20 1X XXXX XXXX (10 digits after +20)
  • Common prefixes: 010, 011, 012, 015
  • Example: Local 010 1234 5678 becomes +20 10 1234 5678

Major mobile carriers in Egypt include Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, Etisalat, and WE (Telecom Egypt).

Landline Numbers

Egyptian landlines use area codes that vary by region:

  • Local format: 0[area code] XXXX XXXX
  • Cairo example: 02 2345 6789 becomes +20 2 2345 6789
  • Alexandria example: 03 456 7890 becomes +20 3 456 7890

Egypt Area Codes

Here are the area codes for major Egyptian cities and regions:

City/Region Area Code International Format
Cairo & Giza 2 +20 2 XXXX XXXX
Alexandria 3 +20 3 XXX XXXX
Mansoura (Dakahlia) 50 +20 50 XXX XXXX
Zagazig (Sharqia) 55 +20 55 XXX XXXX
Port Said 66 +20 66 XXX XXXX
Suez 62 +20 62 XXX XXXX
Ismailia 64 +20 64 XXX XXXX
Sharm El Sheikh 69 +20 69 XXX XXXX
Luxor 95 +20 95 XXX XXXX
Aswan 97 +20 97 XXX XXXX

Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference

You can tell mobile from landline by the first digits after dropping the trunk prefix:

  • Starts with 1: A mobile number (10, 11, 12, or 15)
  • Starts with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 9: A landline number with an area code

Mobile numbers in Egypt are typically more expensive to call than landlines.

Dialing Examples

Here are practical examples showing how to dial Egyptian numbers from various countries:

Example 1: Calling a Cairo Landline from the US

  • Egyptian Local Number: 02 2575 1234
  • From a US Mobile: +20 2 2575 1234
  • From a US Landline: 011 20 2 2575 1234

Example 2: Calling an Egyptian Mobile from the US

  • Egyptian Local Number: 010 9876 5432
  • From a US Mobile: +20 10 9876 5432
  • From a US Landline: 011 20 10 9876 5432

Example 3: Calling Egypt from the UK

  • Egyptian Local Number: 03 480 1234 (Alexandria)
  • From the UK: 00 20 3 480 1234

Example 4: Calling Egypt from UAE

  • Egyptian Local Number: 012 3456 7890 (mobile)
  • From UAE: 00 20 12 3456 7890

Best Times to Call Egypt

Egypt uses Eastern European Time year-round:

Time Zone Name UTC Offset
EET Eastern European Time UTC+2 (year-round)

Note: Egypt stopped observing daylight saving time in 2014, so the time difference with other countries may vary by season.

Time differences from major cities:

Your Location Egypt Time Difference Call Egypt 9 AM - 5 PM
US East Coast (EST) Egypt is 7 hours ahead 2 AM - 10 AM your time
US West Coast (PST) Egypt is 10 hours ahead 11 PM - 7 AM your time
UK (GMT) Egypt is 2 hours ahead 7 AM - 3 PM your time
UAE (GST) Egypt is 2 hours behind 11 AM - 7 PM your time

Tip: The weekend in Egypt is Friday-Saturday. Business hours are typically Sunday-Thursday, 9 AM to 5 PM. During Ramadan, working hours are often shorter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most frequent errors when dialing the 20 country code:

  • Keeping the leading 0: This is the most common mistake. Always drop the 0 when calling internationally.
  • Confusing +20 with +212: +20 is Egypt, +212 is Morocco. Both are in North Africa but have different codes.
  • Wrong number length: After dropping the 0, Egyptian mobile numbers should be 10 digits, landlines 8-9 digits after +20.
  • Confusing mobile and landline prefixes: Mobile numbers start with 1 (10, 11, 12, 15). Landline area codes are 2, 3, or two-digit codes.
  • Cairo vs. mobile confusion: Cairo's area code 2 can look like a mobile prefix. Check if the number has 8 digits (landline) or 9 digits (mobile) after the first digit.

Cheapest Ways to Call +20 Numbers

International calls to Egypt can be expensive through traditional carriers. Here are better options:

  • VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Egypt. Check our Egypt calling rates.
  • Messaging Apps: WhatsApp is extremely popular in Egypt and allows free calls over WiFi or data.
  • International Calling Plans: Some carriers offer Middle East and North Africa calling bundles. Check our guide on how to make international calls.

Millions of Egyptians work abroad in the Persian Gulf, so many providers offer competitive rates for calls to Egypt.

Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What country has the +20 country code?

The +20 country code is for Egypt. This covers all of Egypt including Cairo, Alexandria, Giza, Luxor, and Sharm El Sheikh.

How many digits is an Egyptian phone number?

Egyptian phone numbers are 9-10 digits when dialed locally (including the trunk prefix 0). When dialing internationally, drop the leading 0. Mobile numbers are 11 digits starting with 01. Landlines vary by area code.

Does Egypt have area codes?

Yes, Egypt uses area codes for landline numbers. Cairo and Giza share area code 2, Alexandria is 3, Luxor is 95, and Aswan is 97. Mobile numbers do not use area codes.

How do I call Egypt from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +20 followed by the Egyptian number without the leading 0. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 20, then the number without the leading 0.

Do I drop a 0 when calling Egypt internationally?

Yes, drop the leading 0 when calling Egypt internationally. If the local number is 02 2345 6789 (Cairo), dial +20 2 2345 6789 internationally.

What time zone is Egypt in?

Egypt uses Eastern European Time (EET), which is UTC+2 year-round. Egypt stopped observing daylight saving time in 2014.

Related Country Codes

Looking for other country codes in the region? Check out these guides:

View all country codes →

Ready to make clear, affordable international calls without the hassle? With CallSky.io, you can connect to over 180 countries, including Egypt, with crystal-clear quality and transparent per-minute rates. Start calling with CallSky.io today.