The 353 country code belongs to Ireland (the Republic of Ireland). Whether you're calling Dublin, Cork, or anywhere else in Ireland, the +353 prefix connects you to the country's 5 million residents.
Quick Answer: The country code +353 is for Ireland. Irish phone numbers are typically 9-10 digits after the +353 prefix. Drop the leading 0 when dialing internationally. For example, a Dublin number 01-234 5678 becomes
+353 1 234 5678.
Important: Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and uses the +44 country code, not +353.
How to Call Ireland: Quick Reference
The dialing format for Ireland varies depending on where you're calling from and what type of phone you're using. Here's a quick-reference table for the most common countries.
| Calling From | Dialing Format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada Mobile | +353 [number without leading 0] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-353-[number without leading 0] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-353-[number without leading 0] |
| Germany | 00-353-[number without leading 0] |
| Australia | 0011-353-[number without leading 0] |
Ireland has one of the largest diasporas in the world relative to its population. Over 30 million Americans claim Irish ancestry, and significant Irish communities exist in the UK, Australia, and Canada.
Understanding Irish Phone Numbers
Irish phone numbers use a trunk prefix system. Within Ireland, all numbers start with 0. When calling from abroad, you drop this 0 and dial +353 followed by the rest of the number.
Mobile Numbers
Irish mobile numbers follow a consistent format:
- Domestic Format: 08X XXX XXXX (starts with 08).
- International Format: Drop the 0, dial +353 8X XXX XXXX.
- Common Prefixes: 083, 085, 086, 087, 089.
- Example: 087-123 4567 becomes
+353 87 123 4567.
Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)
Irish landline numbers have variable-length area codes:
- Structure: 0 + area code + local number.
- Area Code Length: 1-3 digits (Dublin uses just 1, others use 2-3 digits).
- Trunk Prefix: The leading 0 is always dropped for international calls.
- Example: Dublin 01-234 5678 becomes
+353 1 234 5678.
Ireland Area Codes Reference Table
When calling a landline in Ireland, the area code follows the trunk prefix 0. Here are the area codes for major Irish cities:
| City | Domestic Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 01 | +353 1 XXX XXXX |
| Cork | 021 | +353 21 XXX XXXX |
| Galway | 091 | +353 91 XXX XXXX |
| Limerick | 061 | +353 61 XXX XXXX |
| Waterford | 051 | +353 51 XXX XXXX |
| Kilkenny | 056 | +353 56 XXX XXXX |
| Sligo | 071 | +353 71 XXX XXXX |
| Dundalk | 042 | +353 42 XXX XXXX |
| Wexford | 053 | +353 53 XXX XXXX |
| Athlone | 090 | +353 90 XXX XXXX |
Note: Dublin has the shortest area code (1) while most other cities use 2-digit codes. The total number length varies.
Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference
You can tell whether a +353 number is mobile or landline by the first digit after the country code:
- Starts with 8: Always a mobile number (originally 08X domestically).
- Starts with other digits: Usually a landline number (area code).
This distinction matters because calling rates to mobile and landline numbers often differ.
Dialing Examples
Here are practical examples for calling different types of Irish numbers from various locations:
Example 1: Calling a Dublin Landline from the US
- Irish Number: 01-234 5678 (Dublin area code 01)
- From a US Mobile:
+353 1 234 5678 - From a US Landline:
011 353 1 234 5678
Example 2: Calling an Irish Mobile from the US
- Irish Number: 087-234 5678
- From a US Mobile:
+353 87 234 5678 - From a US Landline:
011 353 87 234 5678
Example 3: Calling a Cork Landline from the UK
- Irish Number: 021-456 7890 (Cork area code 021)
- From the UK:
00 353 21 456 7890
Example 4: Calling from Australia
- Irish Number: Any number (e.g., 086-123 4567)
- From Australia:
0011 353 86 123 4567
Best Times to Call Ireland
Ireland operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is UTC+0 in winter and UTC+1 (IST - Irish Standard Time) during summer.
Here's how Ireland's time relates to other major time zones:
| Your Location | Time Difference | Call Ireland 9 AM - 5 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Ireland is 5 hours ahead | 4 AM - 12 PM EST |
| US West Coast (PST) | Ireland is 8 hours ahead | 1 AM - 9 AM PST |
| UK (GMT/BST) | Same time zone | 9 AM - 5 PM GMT |
| Germany (CET) | Ireland is 1 hour behind | 10 AM - 6 PM CET |
| Australia (AEDT) | Ireland is 11 hours behind | 8 PM - 4 AM AEDT |
Tip: For US callers, morning calls work best for reaching Ireland during business hours. Ireland and the UK share the same time zone, making UK-Ireland calls straightforward.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A simple error can prevent your call from connecting. Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the 353 country code:
- Keeping the leading 0: The trunk prefix 0 must be dropped when calling from abroad. Don't dial +353 01, dial +353 1.
- Confusing Ireland with Northern Ireland: +353 is for the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland uses +44 (UK country code).
- Confusing country codes: Don't mix up +353 (Ireland) with +354 (Iceland) or +352 (Luxembourg).
- Forgetting the time difference: Ireland is 5-8 hours ahead of the US. An evening call from the US East Coast arrives close to midnight in Ireland.
Cheapest Ways to Call +353 Numbers
International calls to Ireland 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 Ireland. Check our international calling rates.
- Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, Messenger, and FaceTime are widely used in Ireland for free calls over WiFi or data.
- International Calling Plans: Some carriers offer Ireland in their international calling bundles. Check our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Given the large Irish diaspora in the US, affordable calling options to Ireland are widely available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What country has the +353 country code?
The +353 country code is for the Republic of Ireland. Any call from a number starting with +353 originates from Ireland. Northern Ireland uses +44.
How many digits is an Irish phone number?
Irish phone numbers are typically 9-10 digits after the +353 country code (not including the trunk prefix 0 which is dropped).
What is the area code for Dublin?
The area code for Dublin is 01 domestically. For international calls, drop the 0 and dial +353 1 followed by the local number.
What is the area code for Cork?
The area code for Cork is 021 domestically. Internationally, dial +353 21 followed by the local number.
How do I call Ireland from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +353 followed by the Irish number without the leading 0. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 353, then the number without the leading 0.
What time should I call Ireland from the US?
Ireland is 5 hours ahead of US Eastern Time and 8 hours ahead of Pacific Time. To reach someone during Irish business hours (9 AM - 5 PM), call between 4 AM - 12 PM EST or 1 AM - 9 AM PST.
Is +353 Ireland or Northern Ireland?
+353 is the country code for the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and uses the +44 country code.
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