The 33 country code belongs to France. Whether you're calling family in Paris, conducting business in Lyon, or reaching friends anywhere in France, the +33 prefix connects you to this Western European nation of 67 million people.

Quick Answer: The country code +33 is for France. French phone numbers have 9 digits after +33. Drop the leading 0 when dialing internationally. Mobile numbers start with 6 or 7. Example: A local number 06 12 34 56 78 becomes +33 6 12 34 56 78 internationally.

How to Call France: Quick Reference

France uses a trunk prefix (0) for domestic calls, which you must drop when calling internationally. Here's the format for calling from major countries:

Calling From Dialing Format
US/Canada Mobile +33 [9-digit number without 0]
US/Canada Landline 011-33-[9-digit number without 0]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-33-[9-digit number without 0]
Germany 00-33-[9-digit number without 0]
Spain 00-33-[9-digit number without 0]
Australia 0011-33-[9-digit number without 0]

France is a major tourist destination and business hub, with strong ties to the UK, US, and across Europe, making international calling common.

Understanding French Phone Numbers

French phone numbers follow a regional system. Locally, numbers are 10 digits starting with 0. Internationally, you dial 9 digits after +33 (dropping the 0).

The Leading Zero Rule

Unlike Italy (where you keep the 0), France requires you to drop the 0 when calling internationally:

  • Local format: 01 23 45 67 89 (10 digits with 0)
  • International format: +33 1 23 45 67 89 (9 digits without 0)

Mobile Numbers

French mobile numbers start with 6 or 7:

  • Length: 9 digits after +33 (10 digits locally with 0).
  • Starting Digits: Mobile numbers start with 6 or 7.
  • Local format: 06 XX XX XX XX or 07 XX XX XX XX.
  • International format: +33 6 XX XX XX XX or +33 7 XX XX XX XX.

Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)

French landlines use a geographic numbering system based on regions:

  • Length: 9 digits after +33.
  • Starting Digits: Landlines start with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 depending on region.
  • Structure: 1-digit regional code + 8-digit local number.

France Regional Codes Reference Table

French landline numbers use a simple geographic system. The first digit after the 0 indicates the region:

Region Code Local Format International Format
Paris / Île-de-France 01 01 XX XX XX XX +33 1 XX XX XX XX
Northwest France 02 02 XX XX XX XX +33 2 XX XX XX XX
Northeast France 03 03 XX XX XX XX +33 3 XX XX XX XX
Southeast France 04 04 XX XX XX XX +33 4 XX XX XX XX
Southwest France 05 05 XX XX XX XX +33 5 XX XX XX XX
Mobile phones 06/07 06/07 XX XX XX XX +33 6/7 XX XX XX XX

Regional breakdown:

  • 01: Paris and surrounding Île-de-France region
  • 02: Brittany, Normandy, Loire Valley, Centre
  • 03: Alsace, Lorraine, Champagne, Burgundy, Nord-Pas-de-Calais
  • 04: Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Provence, Rhône-Alpes, Corsica
  • 05: Bordeaux, Toulouse, Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrénées

Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference

You can tell whether a +33 number is mobile or landline by the first digit:

  • Starts with 6 or 7: Mobile number
  • Starts with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5: Landline number
  • Starts with 08: Special services (toll-free, premium, etc.)
  • Starts with 09: VoIP/Non-geographic numbers

Dialing Examples

Here are practical examples for calling different types of French numbers:

Example 1: Calling a Paris Landline from the US

  • French Number (local): 01 42 86 83 00
  • From a US Mobile: +33 1 42 86 83 00
  • From a US Landline: 011 33 1 42 86 83 00

Example 2: Calling a French Mobile from the US

  • French Number (local): 06 12 34 56 78
  • From a US Mobile: +33 6 12 34 56 78
  • From a US Landline: 011 33 6 12 34 56 78

Example 3: Calling a Lyon Landline from the UK

  • French Number (local): 04 78 00 00 00 (Lyon, region 04)
  • From the UK: 00 33 4 78 00 00 00

Example 4: Calling from Germany

  • French Number (local): 07 65 43 21 00 (mobile)
  • From Germany: 00 33 7 65 43 21 00

Best Times to Call France

France operates on Central European Time (CET), which is UTC+1 in winter and UTC+2 (CEST) during summer daylight saving time.

Your Location Time Difference Call France 9 AM - 6 PM
US East Coast (EST) France is 6 hours ahead 3 AM - 12 PM EST
US West Coast (PST) France is 9 hours ahead 12 AM - 9 AM PST
UK (GMT/BST) France is 1 hour ahead 8 AM - 5 PM GMT
Germany (CET) Same time zone 9 AM - 6 PM CET
Australia (AEDT) France is 10 hours behind 7 PM - 4 AM AEDT

Tip: French business culture respects the lunch break, typically 12-2 PM. Many offices have reduced staffing during this time. The standard French work day is 9 AM - 6 PM with a proper lunch break.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most common errors when dialing the 33 country code:

  • Keeping the 0: This is the #1 mistake. You must drop the leading 0 when calling France internationally. Dial +33 1, not +33 01.
  • Wrong number of digits: After +33, there should be exactly 9 digits.
  • Confusing country codes: Don't mix up +33 (France) with +34 (Spain) or +39 (Italy).
  • Forgetting the time difference: France is 6-9 hours ahead of the US.

Cheapest Ways to Call +33 Numbers

International calls to France don't have to be expensive. Traditional carriers often charge $1-$2 per minute, but better options exist:

  • VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to France, often under $0.03/minute. Check our international calling rates.
  • Messaging Apps: WhatsApp and Messenger are popular in France for calls over WiFi or data.
  • International Calling Plans: Many carriers include France in European bundles. Check our guide on prepaid international calling plans.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What country has the +33 country code?

The +33 country code is exclusively for France. Any call from a number starting with +33 originates from France.

How many digits is a French phone number?

French phone numbers have 9 digits after +33. Locally, they appear as 10 digits with a leading 0, but you drop the 0 when dialing internationally.

What is the area code for Paris?

The area code for Paris and the Île-de-France region is 1. For international calls, dial +33 1 followed by the 8-digit local number.

Do I drop the 0 when calling France internationally?

Yes! When calling France from abroad, always drop the leading 0. A number like 01 23 45 67 89 becomes +33 1 23 45 67 89 internationally.

How do I call France from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +33 followed by the 9-digit French number (without the leading 0). From a landline, dial 011-33 then the 9-digit number.

What time should I call France from the US?

France is 6 hours ahead of US Eastern Time and 9 hours ahead of Pacific Time. To reach someone during French business hours (9 AM - 6 PM), call between 3 AM - 12 PM EST or 12 AM - 9 AM PST.

Is +33 France or Spain?

+33 is the country code for France. The country code for Spain is +34.

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