The 30 country code belongs to Greece. Whether you're calling Athens, the islands, or anywhere else in Greece, the +30 prefix connects you to the country's 10 million residents.
Quick Answer: The country code +30 is for Greece. All Greek phone numbers have 10 digits after the +30 prefix. For example, a mobile number would be dialed as
+30 69X XXX XXXX.
How to Call Greece: Quick Reference
The dialing format for Greece varies depending on where you're calling from and what type of phone you're using. Here's a quick-reference table for the most common countries.
| Calling From | Dialing Format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada Mobile | +30 [10-digit number] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-30-[10-digit number] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-30-[10-digit number] |
| Germany | 00-30-[10-digit number] |
| Australia | 0011-30-[10-digit number] |
| Cyprus | 00-30-[10-digit number] |
Greece has a significant diaspora around the world, with large Greek communities in the United States, Australia, Germany, the UK, and Cyprus.
Understanding Greek Phone Numbers
After dialing the +30 country code, you will always dial a 10-digit number. Greece eliminated its trunk prefix (0) in 2002, which means all numbers are dialed with the full 10 digits both domestically and internationally.
Mobile Numbers
Greek mobile numbers follow a consistent format:
- Length: Always 10 digits after +30.
- Starting Digits: Mobile numbers always start with 69.
- Format: 69X XXX XXXX.
- Example:
+30 694 123 4567or+30 698 765 4321.
Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)
Greek landline numbers also consist of 10 digits, structured as an area code plus a local number:
- Structure: 2-4 digit area code + local number = 10 digits total.
- Starting Digits: Landlines always start with 2.
- No Trunk Prefix: Greece eliminated the trunk prefix in 2002. You dial all 10 digits every time, whether calling domestically or internationally.
Greece Area Codes Reference Table
When calling a landline in Greece, the first 2-4 digits indicate the geographic region. Here are the area codes for major Greek cities:
| City | Area Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Athens | 21 | +30 21 XXXX XXXX |
| Thessaloniki | 231 | +30 231 XXX XXXX |
| Patras | 261 | +30 261 XXX XXXX |
| Heraklion (Crete) | 281 | +30 281 XXX XXXX |
| Larissa | 241 | +30 241 XXX XXXX |
| Volos | 242 | +30 242 XXX XXXX |
| Rhodes | 224 | +30 224 XXX XXXX |
| Corfu | 266 | +30 266 XXX XXXX |
| Chania (Crete) | 282 | +30 282 XXX XXXX |
| Santorini | 228 | +30 228 XXX XXXX |
Note: Athens uses a 2-digit area code (21), while most other cities use 3-digit codes. The total number length is always 10 digits.
Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference
You can tell whether a +30 number is mobile or landline by the first digit:
- Starts with 69: Always a mobile number.
- Starts with 2: Always a landline number (geographic).
This distinction can be useful since calling rates to mobile and landline numbers may differ depending on your service provider.
Dialing Examples
Here are practical examples for calling different types of Greek numbers from various locations:
Example 1: Calling an Athens Landline from the US
- Greek Number: 21 1234 5678 (Athens area code 21)
- From a US Mobile:
+30 21 1234 5678 - From a US Landline:
011 30 21 1234 5678
Example 2: Calling a Greek Mobile from the US
- Greek Number: 694 123 4567
- From a US Mobile:
+30 694 123 4567 - From a US Landline:
011 30 694 123 4567
Example 3: Calling a Thessaloniki Landline from the UK
- Greek Number: 231 456 7890 (Thessaloniki area code 231)
- From the UK:
00 30 231 456 7890
Example 4: Calling from Australia
- Greek Number: Any 10-digit number (e.g., 697 234 5678)
- From Australia:
0011 30 697 234 5678
Best Times to Call Greece
Greece operates on Eastern European Time (EET), which is UTC+2 in winter and UTC+3 (EEST) during summer daylight saving time.
Here's how Greece's time relates to other major time zones:
| Your Location | Time Difference | Call Greece 9 AM - 5 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Greece is 7 hours ahead | 2 AM - 10 AM EST |
| US West Coast (PST) | Greece is 10 hours ahead | 11 PM - 7 AM PST |
| UK (GMT/BST) | Greece is 2 hours ahead | 7 AM - 3 PM GMT |
| Germany (CET) | Greece is 1 hour ahead | 8 AM - 4 PM CET |
| Australia (AEDT) | Greece is 9 hours behind | 6 PM - 2 AM AEDT |
Tip: For US callers, early morning calls work best for reaching Greece during business hours. If you call at 3 AM EST, it will be 10 AM in Greece. To reach someone during normal hours, consider using a VoIP service to schedule a call.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A simple error can prevent your call from connecting. Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the 30 country code:
- Wrong number of digits: Greek numbers are exactly 10 digits after +30. No more, no less.
- Adding a trunk prefix: Greece eliminated the '0' prefix in 2002. Don't add one.
- Confusing country codes: Don't mix up +30 (Greece) with +31 (Netherlands), +32 (Belgium), or +33 (France).
- Forgetting the time difference: Greece is 7-10 hours ahead of the US. An afternoon call from America arrives late at night in Greece.
Cheapest Ways to Call +30 Numbers
International calls to Greece don't have to be expensive. While traditional carriers can charge $1-$2 per minute, better options exist:
- VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Greece. Check our international calling rates.
- Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, Messenger, and Viber are widely used in Greece and allow free calls over WiFi or data.
- International Calling Plans: Some carriers offer Greece in their international calling bundles. Check our guide on prepaid international calling plans.
Greece is a popular tourist destination, so many international calling services offer competitive rates for calls to the country.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What country has the +30 country code?
The +30 country code is exclusively for Greece. Any call from a number starting with +30 originates from Greece.
How many digits is a Greek phone number?
Greek phone numbers always have 10 digits after the +30 country code. This applies to both mobile and landline numbers.
What is the area code for Athens?
The area code for Athens is 21. For international calls, you would dial +30 21 followed by the 8-digit local number.
What is the area code for Thessaloniki?
The area code for Thessaloniki is 231. Internationally, you would dial +30 231 followed by the 7-digit local number.
How do I call Greece from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +30 followed by the 10-digit Greek number. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 30, then the 10-digit number.
What time should I call Greece from the US?
Greece is 7 hours ahead of US Eastern Time and 10 hours ahead of Pacific Time. To reach someone during Greek business hours (9 AM - 5 PM), call between 2 AM - 10 AM EST or 11 PM - 7 AM PST.
Is +30 Greece or Netherlands?
+30 is the country code for Greece. The country code for the Netherlands is +31.
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