The +40 country code is for Romania, the largest country in southeastern Europe. Romania has four major mobile carriers and landline service across its major cities and rural areas.
Whether you're calling family in Bucharest, coordinating with business partners in Cluj-Napoca, or reaching friends in Timișoara, understanding Romanian phone numbers will help you connect successfully. This guide covers everything you need to know about dialing +40.
Quick answer: The +40 country code is for Romania. Romanian phone numbers have 9 digits after the country code. Mobile numbers start with 7 (format: +40 7XX XXX XXX). Landlines start with 2 or 3 (format: +40 21 XXX XXXX for Bucharest). Drop the leading 0 when dialing internationally.
How to call Romania: quick reference
Romania has one of the largest diaspora populations in Europe, with over 5 million Romanians living abroad. The countries below represent where most calls to Romania originate from.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| Italy | 00-40-[local number] |
| Spain | 00-40-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-40-[local number] |
| UK | 00-40-[local number] |
| France | 00-40-[local number] |
| US / Canada | 011-40-[local number] |
Understanding Romania phone numbers
Romanian phone numbers follow a consistent 10-digit format for domestic calls (including the trunk prefix 0), which becomes 9 digits when dialing internationally after +40.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers start with 07 domestically, or just 7 after the +40 country code. The format is:
- Domestic: 07XX XXX XXX (10 digits)
- International: +40 7XX XXX XXX (9 digits after +40)
Landline numbers
Landlines use geographic area codes. The format varies by city:
- Bucharest: 021 XXX XXXX or 031 XXX XXXX
- Other cities: 02XX XXX XXX or 03XX XXX XXX
Area codes
| City | Area code |
|---|---|
| Bucharest | 21 / 31 |
| Cluj-Napoca | 264 / 364 |
| Timișoara | 256 / 356 |
| Iași | 232 / 332 |
| Constanța | 241 / 341 |
| Brașov | 268 / 368 |
| Sibiu | 269 / 369 |
Area codes starting with 2 are older geographic numbers, while 3-prefixed codes were added later as demand grew.
Mobile carriers in Romania
Romania has four major mobile carriers, all offering nationwide 4G/LTE coverage. The carrier can sometimes be identified by the number prefix.
Orange Romania
The largest carrier by subscriber count, Orange uses prefixes 072X, 074X, and 075X. Originally launched as MobiFon in 1997, it rebranded to Orange in 2002.
Vodafone Romania
Second-largest carrier, Vodafone operates on prefixes 072X, 073X, and 078X. Known for strong urban coverage and competitive international roaming packages popular with Romanians traveling within the EU.
Telekom Romania
Uses prefixes 076X and others. Previously known as Cosmote, it's now part of the Deutsche Telekom group. Offers bundled services combining mobile, landline, and internet.
Digi Mobil (RCS & RDS)
The budget-friendly option using prefix 077X. Digi disrupted the Romanian market with aggressive pricing and has expanded internationally. Popular among price-conscious users and families.
Don't confuse +40 with nearby codes
The +40 code can be confused with other European codes, especially +420 (Czech Republic) due to the transposed digit.
| Code | Country | Easy distinction |
|---|---|---|
| +40 | Romania | Two digits only |
| +420 | Czech Republic | Three digits, starts with 42 |
| +43 | Austria | Two digits, but 43 not 40 |
| +44 | United Kingdom | Two digits, 44 not 40 |
The most common mix-up is with +420 (Czech Republic). If you receive a call from what looks like +40 but the person speaks Czech, double-check whether the full code was +420.
Another source of confusion: Romania's domestic trunk prefix is 0, so a Romanian mobile number looks like 0722 123 456 locally. When dialing internationally, drop the 0 and dial +40 722 123 456.
Time zone considerations
Romania operates on Eastern European Time (EET), which is UTC+2 in winter and UTC+3 during daylight saving time (late March to late October).
| Your location | Time difference (standard) | Time difference (summer) |
|---|---|---|
| Italy / Spain / France / Germany | Romania is +1 hour | Romania is +1 hour |
| United Kingdom | Romania is +2 hours | Romania is +2 hours |
| US East Coast (EST/EDT) | Romania is +7 hours | Romania is +7 hours |
| US West Coast (PST/PDT) | Romania is +10 hours | Romania is +10 hours |
For callers in Western Europe (Italy, Spain, France, Germany), Romania is only 1 hour ahead year-round, making it easy to call during normal hours. For US callers, afternoons in the US correspond to late evening in Romania.
Communication in Romania
Business hours
Standard business hours in Romania are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Government offices often close earlier, around 4:00 PM. Shops in major cities stay open until 9:00 or 10:00 PM, and many supermarkets are open on weekends.
Best times to call
For personal calls, evenings (6:00-9:00 PM Romania time) work well for most families. Avoid calling during lunch (12:00-2:00 PM) when many people take a break. Sundays are traditionally family time, so calls are generally welcome.
Network quality
Mobile coverage in urban areas and major roads is good. Rural coverage can be spotty in mountainous regions (Carpathians) and remote villages. 4G/LTE is available in all major cities, and 5G is being rolled out in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and other large cities.
WhatsApp and messaging
WhatsApp is extremely popular in Romania for both personal and increasingly business communication. However, voice calls remain preferred for important family conversations, especially with older relatives who may not use smartphones.
The Romania diaspora
Romania has one of the largest diaspora populations relative to its size, with an estimated 5 million Romanians living abroad (nearly a quarter of the population). Most emigrated after Romania joined the EU in 2007.
Where Romanians live abroad
- Italy: Over 1 million Romanians, the largest community abroad. Concentrated in Rome, Milan, and Turin.
- Spain: Approximately 800,000, mostly in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia.
- Germany: Around 800,000, primarily in Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin.
- United Kingdom: Approximately 400,000, mainly in London and the Midlands.
- France: Around 300,000, concentrated in Paris and southern France.
- United States and Canada: Combined 300,000+, with communities in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Toronto.
Why they call home
Calls to Romania spike around Orthodox holidays (Easter, Christmas on December 25, and the traditional January 7 celebration), family birthdays, and during the August vacation period when many Romanians abroad return home. The EU's free roaming rules mean many Romanians in Europe can call home at domestic rates, but those outside the EU rely on services like CallSky for affordable connections.
Dialing examples
Calling a mobile in Bucharest
Your contact gives you: 0722 123 456
- From Italy: 00 40 722 123 456
- From US: 011 40 722 123 456
- Using CallSky: +40 722 123 456
Drop the leading 0 and add the +40 country code.
Calling a landline in Bucharest
Your contact gives you: 021 310 5555
- From Germany: 00 40 21 310 5555
- From UK: 00 40 21 310 5555
- Using CallSky: +40 21 310 5555
Drop the leading 0 from the area code (021 becomes 21).
Calling a landline in Cluj-Napoca
Your contact gives you: 0264 123 456
- From Spain: 00 40 264 123 456
- From France: 00 40 264 123 456
- Using CallSky: +40 264 123 456
Regional area codes like 264 also drop their leading 0.
Calling a Digi mobile number
Your contact gives you: 0771 987 654
- From any country: +40 771 987 654
All mobile numbers work the same way regardless of carrier.
Common mistakes to avoid
Keeping the trunk prefix 0
The most common error is dialing +40 0722 123 456 instead of +40 722 123 456. Romanian domestic numbers always start with 0, but you must drop it when dialing internationally. The 0 is only for calls within Romania.
Confusing +40 with +420
If your call connects to someone speaking Czech, you may have dialed +420 (Czech Republic) instead of +40 (Romania). Always double-check: Romania is +40 (two digits), Czech Republic is +420 (three digits).
Mixing up old and new area codes
Bucharest has two area code prefixes: 21 (older) and 31 (newer). Both are valid. If a number doesn't connect with 21, try 31 or verify with your contact. The same applies to other cities (264/364 for Cluj-Napoca, etc.).
Expecting 10 digits internationally
Domestically, Romanian numbers have 10 digits including the 0. Internationally, you dial 9 digits after +40. If someone gives you a 10-digit number starting with 0, remember to drop that 0.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +40 code?
+40 is the country code for Romania. Any phone number starting with +40 is a Romanian number.
How many digits are in a Romanian phone number?
Romanian numbers have 9 digits after the +40 country code. Domestically, they're written as 10 digits starting with 0 (the trunk prefix).
How do I call a Romanian mobile from abroad?
Dial +40, then the 9-digit mobile number without the leading 0. Example: +40 722 123 456.
What's the difference between 02X and 03X area codes?
Both are valid landline prefixes. 02X codes are older geographic numbers, while 03X codes were added as demand grew. Bucharest uses both 021 and 031.
Can I tell which carrier a Romanian number belongs to?
Originally yes: Orange used 072X/074X, Vodafone 073X/078X, Telekom 076X, and Digi 077X. However, number portability means people can switch carriers while keeping their number, so prefixes are no longer reliable indicators.
What time zone is Romania in?
Romania uses Eastern European Time (EET): UTC+2 in winter, UTC+3 in summer. It's 1 hour ahead of most Western European countries and 7 hours ahead of US Eastern Time.
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