Quick answer: +32 is Belgium. Landlines have 8 digits after +32 and mobiles have 9. Mobiles start with 4 (04xx in Belgian format). Belgian numbers are written with a leading 0: drop it when you call from abroad. Example:
+32 475 12 34 56.
How to dial Belgium
| Calling from | Dial |
|---|---|
| Any mobile phone | +32 + 8 or 9 digits |
| US or Canada landline | 011 32 + 8 or 9 digits |
| UK, France, the Netherlands or Morocco landline | 00 32 + 8 or 9 digits |
Belgians write numbers with a leading 0 and often a slash after the area code, like 02/123 45 67 or 0475 12 34 56. The 0 is only for calls within Belgium, and the slash is just punctuation. From abroad, leave the 0 out: 02/123 45 67 becomes +32 2 123 45 67.
Mobile and landline numbers
Mobiles start with 04 in Belgian format and have 9 digits after +32: 0475 12 34 56 becomes +32 475 12 34 56.
Landlines have 8 digits after +32. The big cities have a 1-digit area code and a 7-digit local number. Everywhere else has a 2-digit area code and a 6-digit number.
| City | Area code in Belgium | From abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Mons | 065 | +32 65 xx xx xx |
Liège landlines start with 04 too. Count the digits to tell them apart: a Liège number has 8 after +32 (+32 4 123 45 67), a mobile has 9 (+32 475 12 34 56).
Codes that get mixed up with +32
+31 is the Netherlands, +33 is France and +352 is Luxembourg.
Time difference
Belgium is on Central European Time (UTC+1) in winter and summer time (UTC+2) from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, the same dates as the rest of Europe.
| Where you are | Late March to late October | Late October to late March |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast | Belgium is 6h ahead | Belgium is 6h ahead |
| US West Coast | Belgium is 9h ahead | Belgium is 9h ahead |
| UK | Belgium is 1h ahead all year | |
| Turkey | Belgium is 1h behind | Belgium is 2h behind |
| Kinshasa (DR Congo) | Belgium is 1h ahead | Same time |
The US changes its clocks two to three weeks before Europe in March and one week after it in autumn. During those weeks the gap is one hour smaller, so a 9 AM call from New York reaches Brussels at 2 PM instead of 3 PM.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
FAQ
Can I call a Belgian 0800 number from abroad?
Often not. Belgian 0800 freephone numbers are set up for callers inside Belgium, and many don't connect from other countries. Look for the company's regular number with an area code, such as 02 for Brussels.
Why won't my call to +32 go through?
Check three things: you left out the leading 0, you have 8 digits after +32 for a landline or 9 for a mobile, and you dialed 32, not 31 or 33.