The 46 country code belongs to Sweden. Whether you're calling Stockholm, Gothenburg, or anywhere else in Sweden, the +46 prefix connects you to the country's 10 million residents.
Quick Answer: The country code +46 is for Sweden. Swedish phone numbers vary in length but typically have 9-10 digits after the +46 prefix. Drop the leading 0 when dialing internationally. For example, a Stockholm number 08-123 456 becomes
+46 8 123 456.
How to Call Sweden: Quick Reference
The dialing format for Sweden 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 | +46 [number without leading 0] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-46-[number without leading 0] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-46-[number without leading 0] |
| Germany | 00-46-[number without leading 0] |
| Norway | 00-46-[number without leading 0] |
| Denmark | 00-46-[number without leading 0] |
Sweden has close ties with neighboring Nordic countries (Norway, Denmark, Finland) and significant expatriate communities in the US, UK, and Germany.
Understanding Swedish Phone Numbers
Swedish phone numbers use a trunk prefix system. Within Sweden, all numbers start with 0. When calling from abroad, you drop this 0 and dial +46 followed by the rest of the number.
Mobile Numbers
Swedish mobile numbers follow a consistent format:
- Domestic Format: 07X-XXX XX XX (starts with 07).
- International Format: Drop the 0, dial +46 7X XXX XX XX.
- Common Prefixes: 070, 072, 073, 076, 079.
- Example: 070-123 45 67 becomes
+46 70 123 45 67.
Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)
Swedish landline numbers have variable-length area codes:
- Structure: 0 + area code + local number.
- Area Code Length: 1-4 digits (Stockholm uses just 8, others use 2-4 digits).
- Trunk Prefix: The leading 0 is always dropped for international calls.
- Example: Stockholm 08-123 456 becomes
+46 8 123 456.
Sweden Area Codes Reference Table
When calling a landline in Sweden, the area code follows the trunk prefix 0. Here are the area codes for major Swedish cities:
| City | Domestic Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Stockholm | 08 | +46 8 XXX XXX |
| Gothenburg | 031 | +46 31 XXX XX XX |
| Malmo | 040 | +46 40 XXX XX XX |
| Uppsala | 018 | +46 18 XXX XX XX |
| Linkoping | 013 | +46 13 XXX XX XX |
| Orebro | 019 | +46 19 XXX XX XX |
| Helsingborg | 042 | +46 42 XXX XX XX |
| Jonkoping | 036 | +46 36 XXX XX XX |
| Norrkoping | 011 | +46 11 XXX XX XX |
| Lund | 046 | +46 46 XXX XX XX |
Note: Stockholm has the shortest area code (8) while most other cities use 2-3 digit codes. The total number length varies.
Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference
You can tell whether a +46 number is mobile or landline by the first digit after the country code:
- Starts with 7: Always a mobile number (originally 07X 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 Swedish numbers from various locations:
Example 1: Calling a Stockholm Landline from the US
- Swedish Number: 08-123 45 67 (Stockholm area code 08)
- From a US Mobile:
+46 8 123 45 67 - From a US Landline:
011 46 8 123 45 67
Example 2: Calling a Swedish Mobile from the US
- Swedish Number: 070-234 56 78
- From a US Mobile:
+46 70 234 56 78 - From a US Landline:
011 46 70 234 56 78
Example 3: Calling a Gothenburg Landline from the UK
- Swedish Number: 031-456 78 90 (Gothenburg area code 031)
- From the UK:
00 46 31 456 78 90
Example 4: Calling from Norway
- Swedish Number: Any number (e.g., 073-123 45 67)
- From Norway:
00 46 73 123 45 67
Best Times to Call Sweden
Sweden operates on Central European Time (CET), which is UTC+1 in winter and UTC+2 (CEST) during summer daylight saving time.
Here's how Sweden's time relates to other major time zones:
| Your Location | Time Difference | Call Sweden 9 AM - 5 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Sweden is 6 hours ahead | 3 AM - 11 AM EST |
| US West Coast (PST) | Sweden is 9 hours ahead | 12 AM - 8 AM PST |
| UK (GMT/BST) | Sweden is 1 hour ahead | 8 AM - 4 PM GMT |
| Germany (CET) | Same time zone | 9 AM - 5 PM CET |
| Australia (AEDT) | Sweden is 10 hours behind | 7 PM - 3 AM AEDT |
Tip: For US callers, early morning calls work best for reaching Sweden during business hours. If you call at 4 AM EST, it will be 10 AM in Sweden.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A simple error can prevent your call from connecting. Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the 46 country code:
- Keeping the leading 0: The trunk prefix 0 must be dropped when calling from abroad. Don't dial +46 08, dial +46 8.
- Confusing country codes: Don't mix up +46 (Sweden) with +41 (Switzerland), +45 (Denmark), or +47 (Norway).
- Variable number lengths: Swedish numbers aren't all the same length. Stockholm numbers are shorter than those in other cities.
- Forgetting the time difference: Sweden is 6-9 hours ahead of the US. An afternoon call from America arrives late at night in Sweden.
Cheapest Ways to Call +46 Numbers
International calls to Sweden 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 Sweden. Check our international calling rates.
- Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, Messenger, and Skype (a Swedish invention) are widely used in Sweden for free calls over WiFi or data.
- International Calling Plans: Some carriers offer Sweden in their international calling bundles. Check our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Sweden has excellent mobile and internet infrastructure, so app-based calling works reliably throughout the country.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What country has the +46 country code?
The +46 country code is exclusively for Sweden. Any call from a number starting with +46 originates from Sweden.
How many digits is a Swedish phone number?
Swedish phone numbers vary in length but are typically 9-10 digits after the +46 country code (not including the trunk prefix 0 which is dropped).
What is the area code for Stockholm?
The area code for Stockholm is 08 domestically. For international calls, drop the 0 and dial +46 8 followed by the local number.
What is the area code for Gothenburg?
The area code for Gothenburg is 031 domestically. Internationally, dial +46 31 followed by the local number.
How do I call Sweden from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +46 followed by the Swedish number without the leading 0. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 46, then the number without the leading 0.
What time should I call Sweden from the US?
Sweden is 6 hours ahead of US Eastern Time and 9 hours ahead of Pacific Time. To reach someone during Swedish business hours (9 AM - 5 PM), call between 3 AM - 11 AM EST or 12 AM - 8 AM PST.
Is +46 Sweden or Switzerland?
+46 is the country code for Sweden. The country code for Switzerland is +41.
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