The 351 country code belongs to Portugal. Whether you're calling family in Lisbon, conducting business in Porto, or reaching friends anywhere in Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira), the +351 prefix connects you to this Atlantic European nation of 10 million people.
Quick Answer: The country code +351 is for Portugal. All Portuguese phone numbers have 9 digits after the +351 prefix. Mobile numbers start with 9. Landlines start with 2. Example:
+351 912 345 678(mobile) or+351 211 234 567(Lisbon landline).
How to Call Portugal: Quick Reference
Portugal uses a simple phone system with no trunk prefix. Simply dial +351 followed by the 9-digit number. Here's the format for calling from major countries:
| Calling From | Dialing Format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada Mobile | +351 [9-digit number] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-351-[9-digit number] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-351-[9-digit number] |
| Germany | 00-351-[9-digit number] |
| France | 00-351-[9-digit number] |
| Brazil | 00-351-[9-digit number] |
Portugal has strong ties with Brazil, the UK, France, and other European countries, making international calling common. The large Portuguese diaspora and growing expat community mean affordable calling options are widely available.
Understanding Portuguese Phone Numbers
Portuguese phone numbers are simple: all numbers are exactly 9 digits after the +351 country code, with no trunk prefix to worry about.
Mobile Numbers
Portuguese mobile numbers start with 9:
- Length: Always 9 digits after +351.
- Starting Digit: Mobile numbers always start with 9.
- Common Prefixes: 91, 92, 93, 96 (different carriers).
- Example:
+351 912 345 678or+351 963 987 654.
Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)
Portuguese landlines follow a geographic numbering system:
- Length: Always 9 digits after +351.
- Starting Digit: Landlines start with 2.
- Structure: 2-3 digit area code + 6-7 digit local number = 9 digits total.
- No Trunk Prefix: Portugal doesn't use a leading 0. Dial all 9 digits directly.
Portugal Area Codes Reference Table
Portuguese area codes are integrated into the 9-digit number. The first 2-3 digits indicate the geographic region:
| City/Region | Area Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | 21 | +351 21 xxx xxxx |
| Porto | 22 | +351 22 xxx xxxx |
| Coimbra | 239 | +351 239 xxx xxx |
| Braga | 253 | +351 253 xxx xxx |
| Faro (Algarve) | 289 | +351 289 xxx xxx |
| Funchal (Madeira) | 291 | +351 291 xxx xxx |
| Ponta Delgada (Azores) | 296 | +351 296 xxx xxx |
| Aveiro | 234 | +351 234 xxx xxx |
| Evora | 266 | +351 266 xxx xxx |
| Setubal | 265 | +351 265 xxx xxx |
Note: The area code is part of the number. You always dial all 9 digits, whether calling locally or internationally.
Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference
You can tell whether a +351 number is mobile or landline by the first digit:
- Starts with 9: Mobile number (e.g., +351 9XX XXX XXX).
- Starts with 2: Landline number (e.g., +351 2XX XXX XXX).
- Starts with 800: Toll-free number.
- Starts with 808: Shared cost number.
This distinction matters because calling rates to mobile and landline numbers often differ.
Dialing Examples
Here are practical examples for calling different types of Portuguese numbers from various locations:
Example 1: Calling a Lisbon Landline from the US
- Portuguese Number: 21-234-5678 (Lisbon area code 21)
- From a US Mobile:
+351 212 345 678 - From a US Landline:
011 351 212 345 678
Example 2: Calling a Portuguese Mobile from the US
- Portuguese Number: 912-345-678
- From a US Mobile:
+351 912 345 678 - From a US Landline:
011 351 912 345 678
Example 3: Calling a Porto Landline from the UK
- Portuguese Number: 22-456-7890 (Porto area code 22)
- From the UK:
00 351 224 567 890
Example 4: Calling from Brazil
- Portuguese Number: Any mobile (e.g., 963-111-222)
- From Brazil:
00 351 963 111 222
Best Times to Call Portugal
Mainland Portugal operates on Western European Time (WET), which is UTC+0 in winter and UTC+1 (WEST) during summer. The Azores are one hour behind mainland Portugal.
Here's how Portugal's time relates to other major time zones:
| Your Location | Time Difference | Call Portugal 9 AM - 6 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Portugal is 5 hours ahead | 4 AM - 1 PM EST |
| US West Coast (PST) | Portugal is 8 hours ahead | 1 AM - 10 AM PST |
| UK (GMT/BST) | Same time zone | 9 AM - 6 PM GMT |
| Germany/France (CET) | Portugal is 1 hour behind | 10 AM - 7 PM CET |
| Brazil (BRT) | Portugal is 3 hours ahead | 6 AM - 3 PM BRT |
Tip: Portuguese business culture is relaxed but professional. Lunch breaks are typically 1-2 PM. Unlike Spain, Portugal doesn't observe a long siesta, so businesses stay open through the afternoon.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the most common errors when dialing the 351 country code:
- Confusing with Poland (+48): People often mix up +351 (Portugal) with +48 (Poland) due to similar-sounding names.
- Wrong number of digits: Portuguese numbers are exactly 9 digits after +351. No more, no less.
- Adding a 0: Portugal doesn't use a trunk prefix. Don't add a 0 before the number.
- Forgetting the time difference: Portugal is 5-8 hours ahead of the US. An evening call from America arrives late at night in Portugal.
- Azores time difference: The Azores are 1 hour behind mainland Portugal. Factor this in when calling the islands.
Cheapest Ways to Call +351 Numbers
International calls to Portugal 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 Portugal, often under $0.05/minute. Check our international calling rates.
- Messaging Apps: WhatsApp is popular in Portugal. Nearly everyone uses it for calls and messages over WiFi or data.
- International Calling Plans: Some carriers include Portugal in their European bundles. Check our guide on prepaid international calling plans.
Portugal is a popular tourist and retirement destination, especially for UK and European expats, so affordable calling options are readily available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What country has the +351 country code?
The +351 country code is exclusively for Portugal. This includes mainland Portugal, the Azores, and Madeira islands.
How many digits is a Portuguese phone number?
Portuguese phone numbers always have 9 digits after the +351 country code. This applies to both mobile and landline numbers.
What is the area code for Lisbon?
The area code for Lisbon is 21. For international calls, dial +351 21 followed by the 7-digit local number.
What is the area code for Porto?
The area code for Porto is 22. Internationally, dial +351 22 followed by the 7-digit local number.
How do I call Portugal from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +351 followed by the 9-digit Portuguese number. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 351, then the 9-digit number.
What time should I call Portugal from the US?
Portugal is 5 hours ahead of US Eastern Time and 8 hours ahead of Pacific Time. To reach someone during Portuguese business hours (9 AM - 6 PM), call between 4 AM - 1 PM EST or 1 AM - 10 AM PST.
Is +351 Portugal or Poland?
+351 is the country code for Portugal. The country code for Poland is +48. This is a common point of confusion due to similar-sounding country names.
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