The +299 country code is for Greenland, the world's largest island and an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. About 56,000 people live here, spread across settlements along the coast. The interior is almost entirely covered by an ice sheet up to 3km thick. Nuuk, the capital, has about 19,000 people and is the only place in Greenland that feels like a town. Everything else is small -- villages of a few hundred people connected by boat, helicopter, or snowmobile, depending on the season.
Greenland has its own country code separate from Denmark (+45). It left the European Economic Community in 1985 over fishing rights and manages its own telecom infrastructure. The economy runs on fishing (shrimp and halibut mainly), a large annual subsidy from Denmark, and growing tourism. Calling Greenland is cheap on Economy at $0.12/min, which is surprising given how remote the territory is.
Quick answer: The country code +299 is for Greenland. All Greenlandic numbers are 6 digits after +299:
+299 XX XX XX. Mobile numbers typically start with 2, 4, or 5. Landlines start with 3, 6, or 8. There is no trunk prefix -- dial +299 followed by the 6-digit number.
How to call Greenland: quick reference
Greenland does not use a trunk prefix. Dial +299 followed by the 6-digit number directly. From the US or Canada, use 011 as the exit code on landlines, or just + on mobiles.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +299 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-299-[local number] |
| UK | 00-299-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-299-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-299-[local number] |
| France | 00-299-[local number] |
Understanding Greenland phone numbers
Greenland uses a simple 6-digit numbering plan with no area codes. The first digit indicates the type of service.
Number types by first digit
| First digit | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 2, 4, 5 | Mobile | +299 24 56 78 |
| 3, 6, 8 | Landline | +299 36 12 34 |
No area codes
With 56,000 people across the entire territory, Greenland doesn't need area codes. Every number is 6 digits. The prefix doesn't tell you which town or settlement the number belongs to -- a 36-XXXX could be in Nuuk or in a village up north.
Satellite phones
In remote hunting camps and some outlying settlements, satellite phones are used. These have separate numbering and won't use the +299 code. If someone gives you a number starting with +881 or +870, that's a satellite phone, not a Greenland landline or mobile.
Mobile carriers in Greenland
Tusass (formerly TELE Greenland)
Tusass is the only telecom provider in Greenland. It's government-owned and has a monopoly on fixed-line, mobile, and internet services. There is no second carrier. Tusass operates the mobile network (4G in larger towns, 3G/2G in smaller settlements), landline services, and the submarine cable connection to Iceland and Denmark.
Coverage reality
Mobile coverage exists in Nuuk, Ilulissat, Sisimiut, and other towns along the west coast. Many smaller settlements have mobile coverage too, but it can be limited to the immediate area around the village. The east coast is far less connected -- Ittoqqortoormiit (population ~350) and Tasiilaq (about 2,000) have basic service. Between towns, there is nothing. No roads connect Greenland's settlements, and the spaces between them are ice, mountains, and fjords with zero mobile signal.
Don't confuse +299 with nearby codes
| Code | Country | Why it's confused |
|---|---|---|
| +45 | Denmark | Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark |
| +354 | Iceland | Nearest neighboring country, similar Arctic geography |
| +298 | Faroe Islands | Also part of the Kingdom of Denmark, code is 298 vs 299 |
The most common confusion is with Denmark (+45). Greenland is politically part of the Danish realm, but it has its own country code. Dialing +45 will get you Denmark in Europe, not Greenland. The Faroe Islands (+298) are the closest code numerically -- 298 vs 299 -- and they're also an autonomous Danish territory, so the confusion is understandable.
Time zone considerations
Greenland spans multiple time zones, which is unusual for a territory of 56,000 people. In 2023, most of Greenland permanently moved to UTC-2 (no more daylight saving).
| Your location | Time difference from Nuuk | When it's 9 AM in Nuuk |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | +3 hours | 6:00 AM in New York |
| US East Coast (EDT) | +2 hours | 7:00 AM in New York |
| Denmark (CET) | -3 hours | 12:00 PM in Copenhagen |
| Denmark (CEST) | -4 hours | 1:00 PM in Copenhagen |
| Iceland | -2 hours | 11:00 AM in Reykjavik |
Note: Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) in northwest Greenland uses UTC-4, and Danmarkshavn in northeast Greenland uses UTC+0. But almost nobody lives in those areas, so for practical purposes, Nuuk time (UTC-2) is what matters.
Communication in Greenland
Business hours
Government offices and businesses in Nuuk follow standard hours: roughly 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. In smaller settlements, hours can be irregular -- some shops and offices only open on certain days or when the supply ship arrives. Winters bring very short daylight hours (Nuuk gets about 4 hours of daylight in December), which affects everything.
Languages
Kalaallisut (West Greenlandic) is the official language. Danish is widely spoken and used in administration, higher education, and business. English is understood in Nuuk and tourist-facing businesses in Ilulissat, but don't count on it in smaller settlements. If you're calling a government office or a hotel, Danish or English will work. For personal calls to small villages, Kalaallisut may be the only language available.
Internet and connectivity
Greenland connected to a submarine fiber optic cable (Greenland Connect) linking to Iceland and Canada. This improved speeds in connected towns, but many smaller settlements still rely on satellite links, which means higher latency and slower speeds. Video calls can be unreliable in remote areas. Voice calls over the Tusass mobile network are more dependable.
The Greenlandic diaspora
Where they went
Denmark is the destination. An estimated 15,000-20,000 Greenlanders live in Denmark, mainly in Copenhagen, Aalborg, and Aarhus. Many move for education -- Greenland has limited university options, so students go to Danish universities. Some stay, some return. This makes +299 to +45 (and vice versa) the busiest calling route for Greenland by a wide margin.
Why they call
Family ties between Greenland and Denmark are constant. Students calling home, parents checking in, people coordinating fish and seal meat shipments (a real thing -- Greenlandic families send traditional food to relatives in Denmark). Christmas and Greenland's National Day (June 21, the longest day) generate the highest call volumes. The 3-hour time difference between Nuuk and Copenhagen is manageable for evening calls.
Dialing examples
Calling a mobile in Nuuk from Denmark
Your friend's Greenlandic mobile number is 24 56 78. From Denmark, dial +299 24 56 78 or 00-299-24-56-78.
Calling a hotel in Ilulissat from the US
A hotel has the number 94 43 00. From a US mobile, dial +299 94 43 00. From a US landline, dial 011-299-94-43-00.
Calling a government office in Nuuk from the UK
The office number is 34 50 00. From the UK, dial +299 34 50 00 or 00-299-34-50-00.
Local calls within Greenland
Dial the 6-digit number directly: 24 56 78. No country code or prefix needed for calls within Greenland.
Common mistakes to avoid
Dialing +45 instead of +299
Greenland is part of the Danish realm, but it has its own country code. If you dial +45 you'll reach Denmark in Europe. +299 is Greenland. They're about 3,500km apart.
Confusing +298 and +299
The Faroe Islands are +298. Greenland is +299. One digit difference. Both are autonomous Danish territories. Both are cold. But they're in different oceans -- the Faroe Islands are in the North Atlantic between Scotland and Iceland; Greenland is across the Denmark Strait, much further west.
Expecting consistent mobile coverage
Coverage exists in towns and settlements, but there is nothing between them. If you're calling someone who's out hunting, on a boat between settlements, or on the ice sheet, they will not have mobile signal. Plan your calls for when people are in town.
Forgetting the 2023 time zone change
Greenland moved most of the territory from UTC-3 to UTC-2 permanently in 2023, dropping daylight saving time. If you have old notes about Greenland being UTC-3, update them. The current offset for Nuuk is UTC-2 year-round.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +299 code?
The +299 code is for Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. It is separate from Denmark's country code (+45).
Why doesn't Greenland use Denmark's +45 code?
Greenland has had its own country code since the international numbering plan was established. It manages its own telecommunications through Tusass (formerly TELE Greenland), separate from Danish carriers.
How many digits is a Greenlandic phone number?
All Greenlandic numbers are 6 digits after the +299 country code. There are no area codes. A complete international number looks like +299 XX XX XX.
Is there more than one mobile carrier in Greenland?
No. Tusass is the sole telecom provider in Greenland, covering fixed-line, mobile, and internet services. It's government-owned.
How much does it cost to call Greenland?
With CallSky, Economy rates are $0.12/min for both landlines and mobiles. Premium rates are $0.66/min for landlines and $0.99/min for mobiles.
Calling other Nordic territories? Check our guides to Denmark (+45), Iceland (+354), and Faroe Islands (+298).