The 31 country code belongs to the Netherlands. Whether you're calling Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or anywhere else in the country, the +31 prefix connects you to this Western European nation of 17 million people.
Quick Answer: The country code +31 is for the Netherlands. Dutch phone numbers have 9 digits after the +31 prefix. Mobile numbers look like
+31 6 1234 5678, while Amsterdam landlines look like+31 20 123 4567.
How to Call the Netherlands: Quick Reference
The dialing format for the Netherlands varies depending on where you're calling from and what type of phone you're using. Here's a quick-reference table.
| Calling From | Dialing Format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada Mobile | +31 [9-digit number] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-31-[9-digit number] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-31-[9-digit number] |
| Germany | 00-31-[9-digit number] |
| Belgium | 00-31-[9-digit number] |
| Australia | 0011-31-[9-digit number] |
The Netherlands has strong business ties across Europe and significant expatriate communities worldwide, making international calling common.
Understanding Dutch Phone Numbers
After dialing the +31 country code, you will dial a 9-digit number. The key thing to remember is that Dutch numbers start with 0 when dialed domestically, but you drop that 0 for international calls.
Mobile Numbers
Dutch mobile numbers follow a consistent format:
- Length: 9 digits after +31.
- Starting Digit: All Dutch mobile numbers start with 6.
- Domestic Format: 06 XXXX XXXX (10 digits with the trunk prefix).
- International Format: +31 6 XXXX XXXX (drop the leading 0).
- Example:
+31 6 1234 5678.
Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)
Dutch landline numbers consist of an area code plus a local number:
- Structure: 2 or 3-digit area code + 6 or 7-digit local number = 9 digits total.
- Major cities: Have 2-digit area codes (Amsterdam 20, Rotterdam 10, The Hague 70).
- Smaller cities: Have 3-digit area codes (Maastricht 43, Delft 15).
- Trunk Prefix: The leading 0 is dropped when dialing internationally.
Netherlands Area Codes Reference Table
When calling a landline in the Netherlands, the first two or three digits indicate the geographic region. Here are the area codes for major Dutch cities:
| City | Area Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | 20 | +31 20 xxx xxxx |
| Rotterdam | 10 | +31 10 xxx xxxx |
| The Hague | 70 | +31 70 xxx xxxx |
| Utrecht | 30 | +31 30 xxx xxxx |
| Eindhoven | 40 | +31 40 xxx xxxx |
| Groningen | 50 | +31 50 xxx xxxx |
| Maastricht | 43 | +31 43 xxx xxxx |
| Leiden | 71 | +31 71 xxx xxxx |
| Delft | 15 | +31 15 xxx xxxx |
| Haarlem | 23 | +31 23 xxx xxxx |
Note: Remember to drop the leading 0 from Dutch numbers when dialing internationally. If someone gives you their number as 020-123-4567, dial +31 20 123 4567.
Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference
You can tell whether a +31 number is mobile or landline by looking at the first digit after the country code:
- Starts with 6: Always a mobile number.
- Starts with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7: A landline number (geographic area code).
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 Dutch numbers from various locations:
Example 1: Calling an Amsterdam Landline from the US
- Dutch Number: 020-123-4567 (Amsterdam area code 20)
- From a US Mobile:
+31 20 123 4567 - From a US Landline:
011 31 20 123 4567
Example 2: Calling a Dutch Mobile from the US
- Dutch Number: 06-1234-5678
- From a US Mobile:
+31 6 1234 5678 - From a US Landline:
011 31 6 1234 5678
Example 3: Calling a Rotterdam Landline from the UK
- Dutch Number: 010-456-7890 (Rotterdam area code 10)
- From the UK:
00 31 10 456 7890
Example 4: Calling from Germany or Belgium
- Dutch Number: Any 9-digit number (e.g., 06-9876-5432)
- From Germany/Belgium:
00 31 6 9876 5432
Best Times to Call the Netherlands
The Netherlands operates on Central European Time (CET), which is UTC+1 in winter and UTC+2 (CEST) during summer daylight saving time.
Here's how Netherlands time relates to other major time zones:
| Your Location | Time Difference | Call Netherlands 9 AM - 5 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Netherlands is 6 hours ahead | 3 AM - 11 AM EST |
| US West Coast (PST) | Netherlands is 9 hours ahead | 12 AM - 8 AM PST |
| UK (GMT/BST) | Netherlands is 1 hour ahead | 8 AM - 4 PM GMT |
| Germany/Belgium (CET) | Same time zone | 9 AM - 5 PM CET |
| Australia (AEDT) | Netherlands is 10 hours behind | 7 PM - 3 AM AEDT |
Tip: For US callers, early morning calls work best for reaching the Netherlands during business hours. If you call at 8 AM EST, it will be 2 PM in the Netherlands.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A simple error can prevent your call from connecting. Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the 31 country code:
- Keeping the leading zero: Dutch numbers start with 0 domestically, but you must drop it for international calls. Dial +31 6, not +31 06.
- Wrong number of digits: Dutch numbers are 9 digits after +31 (10 digits including the domestic trunk prefix).
- Confusing country codes: Don't mix up +31 (Netherlands) with +32 (Belgium), +33 (France), or +34 (Spain).
- Forgetting the time difference: The Netherlands is 6-9 hours ahead of the US. An afternoon call from America arrives late at night in the Netherlands.
Cheapest Ways to Call +31 Numbers
International calls to the Netherlands 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 the Netherlands. Check our international calling rates.
- Messaging Apps: WhatsApp is extremely popular in the Netherlands and allows free calls over WiFi or data. Virtually everyone in the country uses it.
- International Calling Plans: Some carriers include the Netherlands in their international calling bundles. Check our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
The Netherlands has one of the highest smartphone penetration rates in Europe, so app-based calling is very common.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What country has the +31 country code?
The +31 country code is for the Netherlands (also informally called Holland). Any call from a number starting with +31 originates from the Netherlands.
How many digits is a Dutch phone number?
Dutch phone numbers have 9 digits after the +31 country code. Mobile numbers are formatted as +31 6 XXXX XXXX, while landlines include an area code like +31 20 XXX XXXX for Amsterdam.
What is the area code for Amsterdam?
The area code for Amsterdam is 20. For international calls, you would dial +31 20 followed by the 7-digit local number.
What is the area code for Rotterdam?
The area code for Rotterdam is 10. Internationally, you would dial +31 10 followed by the 7-digit local number.
How do I call the Netherlands from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +31 followed by the 9-digit Dutch number (drop the leading 0). From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 31, then the 9-digit number.
What time should I call the Netherlands from the US?
The Netherlands is 6 hours ahead of US Eastern Time and 9 hours ahead of Pacific Time. To reach someone during Dutch business hours (9 AM - 5 PM), call between 3 AM - 11 AM EST or 12 AM - 8 AM PST.
Is +31 the Netherlands or Belgium?
+31 is the country code for the Netherlands. The country code for Belgium is +32.
Ready to make clear, affordable international calls without the hassle? With CallSky.io, you can connect to over 180 countries, including the Netherlands, with crystal-clear quality and transparent per-minute rates. Start calling with CallSky.io today.