The +32 country code is for Belgium. About 11.5 million people live in this small country wedged between France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Brussels hosts the European Commission, European Council, and NATO headquarters, which is why you'll find an unusual concentration of international phone numbers here. The country splits into three regions -- Flanders (Dutch-speaking), Wallonia (French-speaking), and Brussels (officially bilingual) -- plus a small German-speaking community in the east. This matters when you're calling: start in French in the south, Dutch in the north, and you'll avoid awkward silences.

Quick answer: The country code +32 is for Belgium. Belgian phone numbers are 9 digits after the +32 prefix. Mobile numbers start with 4: +32 4XX XX XX XX. Landlines start with the area code (2 for Brussels, 3 for Antwerp). Drop the leading 0 when dialing internationally -- if someone gives you 02 123 45 67, dial +32 2 123 45 67.

How to call Belgium: quick reference

Belgium uses 0 as a trunk prefix for domestic calls. When calling from abroad, you must drop this leading 0. This is the most common mistake people make when dialing Belgian numbers.

Calling from Dialing format
US/Canada mobile +32 [9-digit number without 0]
US/Canada landline 011-32-[9-digit number without 0]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-32-[9-digit number without 0]
France 00-32-[9-digit number without 0]
Netherlands 00-32-[9-digit number without 0]
Germany 00-32-[9-digit number without 0]

France, the Netherlands, and Germany are listed because they're Belgium's immediate neighbours with heavy cross-border traffic -- for work, family, and the EU institutions.

Understanding Belgian phone numbers

Belgian phone numbers follow a consistent pattern: a 1-digit or 2-digit area code followed by a 6-digit or 7-digit subscriber number, totaling 9 digits (excluding the trunk prefix 0). The numbering plan was reformed in 2000 to create this uniform structure.

Mobile numbers

All Belgian mobile numbers start with 04 domestically, or +32 4 internationally. The format is:

  • Domestic: 04XX XX XX XX (10 digits including 0)
  • International: +32 4XX XX XX XX (9 digits after +32)

Mobile prefixes indicate the original carrier, though number portability means the prefix no longer guarantees which network the number is currently on:

  • 0470-0479: Originally Proximus
  • 0485-0489: Originally Orange Belgium
  • 0490-0499: Mixed (Proximus, Orange, Telenet)
  • 0460-0469: Originally Base/Telenet

Landline numbers

Landline numbers use geographic area codes. The area code length varies -- Brussels and Antwerp have 1-digit codes (2 and 3), while smaller cities have 2-digit codes.

City/Region Area code (domestic) International format
Brussels 02 +32 2 XXX XX XX
Antwerp 03 +32 3 XXX XX XX
Liège 04 +32 4 XXX XX XX
Ghent 09 +32 9 XXX XX XX
Bruges 050 +32 50 XX XX XX
Charleroi 071 +32 71 XX XX XX
Namur 081 +32 81 XX XX XX
Leuven 016 +32 16 XX XX XX

Note: Liège's area code (04) looks identical to the mobile prefix (04). Context usually makes it clear -- Liège landlines are +32 4 followed by a 7-digit number, while mobiles are +32 4XX followed by 6 digits. In practice, if the third digit after +32 is 6, 7, 8, or 9, it's almost certainly a mobile.

Mobile carriers in Belgium

Belgium has three main mobile network operators:

  • Proximus: The incumbent operator, formerly state-owned Belgacom. Largest network with the best rural coverage. Premium pricing. Most businesses and EU institutions use Proximus. They also run the main fixed-line network.
  • Orange Belgium: The second-largest carrier, owned by the French Orange Group. Strong in urban areas, competitive pricing. Popular with younger users and the French-speaking community.
  • Telenet/Base: Telenet (owned by Liberty Global) acquired Base in 2016. Third player with a focus on bundled services (mobile + cable TV + internet). Strongest in Flanders where Telenet's cable network dominates.

Belgium also has several MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) running on these three networks, including Lycamobile (popular with immigrant communities), Mobile Vikings (Proximus network, tech-savvy users), and Scarlet (Orange network, budget option).

Mobile penetration in Belgium exceeds 100% -- many people carry two SIMs, often one personal and one for work. The EU institutions in Brussels mean a significant population of international civil servants with multiple phone numbers from various countries.

Don't confuse +32 with nearby codes

Belgium's neighbours have similar-looking country codes:

Code Country Note
+32 Belgium This guide
+31 Netherlands One digit lower
+33 France One digit higher
+352 Luxembourg Adds a 5 in the middle
+49 Germany Different pattern entirely

The +31/+32/+33 sequence (Netherlands/Belgium/France) is easy to mix up. Luxembourg's +352 occasionally gets confused with Belgium's +32 if you're not careful with the digits.

Time zone considerations

Belgium is on Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) from late March to late October. This is the same time zone as France, Germany, the Netherlands, and most of Western Europe.

Your location Time difference Call Belgium 9 AM - 6 PM
US East Coast (EST) Belgium is 6 hours ahead 3 AM - 12 PM EST
US East Coast (EDT) Belgium is 6 hours ahead 3 AM - 12 PM EDT
US West Coast (PST) Belgium is 9 hours ahead 12 AM - 9 AM PST
UK (GMT) Belgium is 1 hour ahead 8 AM - 5 PM GMT
UK (BST) Same time zone 9 AM - 6 PM BST
Australia (AEST) Belgium is 8-9 hours behind 6 PM - 3 AM AEST

Tip: Belgium observes daylight saving on roughly the same schedule as the US and UK, so the time difference stays relatively constant throughout the year. For US callers, morning in America means afternoon/evening in Belgium.

Communication in Belgium

Belgium has three official languages: Dutch (spoken in Flanders, ~60% of population), French (spoken in Wallonia and Brussels, ~40%), and German (small community in the east, <1%). Brussels is officially bilingual (Dutch/French) but practically French-dominant.

When calling businesses:

  • Brussels: Start in English or French. Most professionals speak both plus English.
  • Flanders (Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges): Dutch is the local language, but English proficiency is excellent. Starting in English is fine for business.
  • Wallonia (Liège, Charleroi, Namur): French is expected. English proficiency is lower than in Flanders.
  • EU institutions: English and French are the working languages. German is official but rarely used.

Belgian business culture is formal but efficient. Standard business hours are 9 AM to 5:30 PM, with a lunch break around 12:30-1:30 PM. August is vacation season -- many businesses operate with reduced staff or close entirely.

The Belgian diaspora connection

Belgium's diaspora is smaller than many European countries -- Belgians tend to stay close to home. But there are notable communities abroad:

  • France: The largest Belgian community abroad, especially in the northern regions near the border and in Paris. French-speaking Belgians (Walloons) move easily between the two countries.
  • Netherlands: Dutch-speaking Belgians (Flemish) often work in the Netherlands, particularly in the Randstad (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague).
  • Luxembourg: Many Belgians commute daily to Luxembourg for work in the financial sector. Some have relocated permanently.
  • United States: A small but established Belgian-American community, concentrated in the Midwest (Wisconsin, Michigan) where Flemish and Walloon immigrants settled in the 19th century.
  • Democratic Republic of Congo: Historical ties from the colonial period. Many Congolese Belgians maintain connections to both countries.

Conversely, Belgium hosts a large international community due to the EU institutions -- over 180 nationalities are represented in Brussels. Many of these international residents call Belgium "home" while maintaining strong ties to their countries of origin.

Dialing examples

Here are concrete examples of dialing Belgian numbers from abroad:

Example 1: Calling a Brussels mobile from the US

  • Belgian number (as given locally): 0475 12 34 56
  • From a US mobile: +32 475 12 34 56
  • From a US landline: 011 32 475 12 34 56

Example 2: Calling the Brussels EU Commission from the UK

  • Belgian number: 02 299 11 11
  • From UK: 00 32 2 299 11 11

Example 3: Calling an Antwerp business from Australia

  • Belgian number: 03 234 56 78
  • From Australia: 0011 32 3 234 56 78

Example 4: Calling a Liège landline from Germany

  • Belgian number: 04 123 45 67
  • From Germany: 00 32 4 123 45 67

Common mistakes to avoid

Here are the most common errors when dialing the +32 country code:

  • Keeping the leading 0: Belgian numbers start with 0 domestically, but you must drop it internationally. +32 02 is wrong; +32 2 is correct.
  • Confusing +32 with +31 or +33: Netherlands is +31, France is +33. One digit difference, completely different countries.
  • Confusing Liège landlines with mobiles: Both start with 04/+32 4. Liège landlines are +32 4 + 7 digits; mobiles are +32 4XX + 6 digits. The third digit helps: 0-5 could be either, 6-9 is definitely mobile.
  • Assuming one language: If you reach a Dutch speaker and start in French (or vice versa), you may get a frosty reception. In Brussels, either works. Elsewhere, know which region you're calling.
  • Calling during lunch: Traditional Belgian businesses often have reduced phone coverage from 12:30-1:30 PM. EU institutions run through lunch but August is dead.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What country has the +32 country code?

The +32 country code is for Belgium. Any call from a number starting with +32 originates from Belgium.

How many digits is a Belgian phone number?

Belgian phone numbers are 9 digits after the +32 country code (excluding the trunk prefix 0). The format is +32 X XXX XX XX or +32 XX XX XX XX depending on area code length. Mobile numbers are always +32 4XX XX XX XX.

How do I call Belgium from the USA?

From a US mobile, dial +32 followed by the 9-digit number (without the leading 0). From a US landline, dial 011-32 then the 9-digit number. Example: to call 0475 12 34 56, dial +32 475 12 34 56.

What time zone is Belgium in?

Belgium is on Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) in summer. Same as France, Germany, Netherlands, and most of Western Europe.

Do I need to drop the 0 when calling Belgium internationally?

Yes, always. Belgium uses 0 as a trunk prefix for domestic calls. When calling from abroad, drop the leading 0. If someone gives you 0475 12 34 56, dial +32 475 12 34 56.

What language should I use when calling Belgium?

It depends on the region. Flanders (north): Dutch. Wallonia (south): French. Brussels: French or Dutch, though French dominates. English is widely understood in business contexts, especially in Brussels and Flanders.

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