The 48 country code belongs to Poland. Whether you're calling family in Warsaw, conducting business in Krakow, or reaching friends anywhere in Poland, the +48 prefix connects you to Poland's 38 million people.
Quick Answer: The country code +48 is for Poland. All Polish phone numbers have 9 digits after the +48 prefix. For example, a mobile number would be dialed as
+48 512 345 678.
How to Call Poland: Quick Reference
The dialing format for Poland 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 with significant Polish diaspora communities.
| Calling From | Dialing Format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada Mobile | +48 [9-digit number] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-48-[9-digit number] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-48-[9-digit number] |
| Germany | 00-48-[9-digit number] |
| Ireland | 00-48-[9-digit number] |
| Australia | 0011-48-[9-digit number] |
Poland has one of the largest diasporas in Europe, with significant populations in the UK, Germany, Ireland, and the United States. This makes international calling to Poland common.
Understanding Polish Phone Numbers
After dialing the +48 country code, you will always dial a 9-digit number. Unlike some countries where mobile and landline numbers have different lengths, Poland uses a consistent 9-digit format for all phone numbers.
Mobile Numbers
Polish mobile numbers follow a consistent format:
- Length: Always 9 digits after +48.
- Starting Digits: Mobile numbers typically start with 5, 6, 7, or 8.
- Common Prefixes: 50x, 51x, 53x, 60x, 66x, 69x, 72x, 78x, 79x, 88x.
- Example:
+48 512 345 678or+48 601 234 567.
Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)
Polish landline numbers also consist of 9 digits, structured as an area code plus a local number:
- Structure: 2-digit area code + 7-digit local number = 9 digits.
- Starting Digits: Landlines typically start with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 9 (representing area codes).
- No Leading Zero: Unlike some European countries, Poland does not use a trunk prefix (0) for domestic calls, and you never need to add or remove a zero when dialing internationally.
Poland Area Codes Reference Table
When calling a landline in Poland, the first two digits indicate the geographic region. Here are the area codes for major Polish cities:
| City | Area Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Warsaw | 22 | +48 22 xxx xxxx |
| Krakow | 12 | +48 12 xxx xxxx |
| Lodz | 42 | +48 42 xxx xxxx |
| Wroclaw | 71 | +48 71 xxx xxxx |
| Poznan | 61 | +48 61 xxx xxxx |
| Gdansk | 58 | +48 58 xxx xxxx |
| Szczecin | 91 | +48 91 xxx xxxx |
| Katowice | 32 | +48 32 xxx xxxx |
| Lublin | 81 | +48 81 xxx xxxx |
| Bialystok | 85 | +48 85 xxx xxxx |
Note: Polish area codes are integrated into the 9-digit number format. You don't need to add or remove any digits when dialing internationally.
Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference
You can tell whether a +48 number is mobile or landline by the first digit:
- Starts with 5, 6, 7, or 8: Almost always a mobile number.
- Starts with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 9: Usually a landline number (area code).
This distinction can be useful since calling rates to mobile and landline numbers may differ depending on your service provider.
Dialing Examples
Here are practical examples for calling different types of Polish numbers from various locations:
Example 1: Calling a Warsaw Landline from the US
- Polish Number: 22-123-4567 (Warsaw area code 22)
- From a US Mobile:
+48 22 123 4567 - From a US Landline:
011 48 22 123 4567
Example 2: Calling a Polish Mobile from the US
- Polish Number: 512-345-678
- From a US Mobile:
+48 512 345 678 - From a US Landline:
011 48 512 345 678
Example 3: Calling a Krakow Landline from the UK
- Polish Number: 12-456-7890 (Krakow area code 12)
- From the UK:
00 48 12 456 7890
Example 4: Calling from Germany
- Polish Number: Any 9-digit number (e.g., 601-234-567)
- From Germany:
00 48 601 234 567
Best Times to Call Poland
Poland operates on Central European Time (CET), which is UTC+1 in winter and UTC+2 (CEST) during summer daylight saving time.
Here's how Poland's time relates to other major time zones:
| Your Location | Time Difference | Call Poland 9 AM - 5 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Poland is 6 hours ahead | 3 AM - 11 AM EST |
| US West Coast (PST) | Poland is 9 hours ahead | 12 AM - 8 AM PST |
| UK (GMT/BST) | Poland is 1 hour ahead | 8 AM - 4 PM GMT |
| Germany (CET) | Same time zone | 9 AM - 5 PM CET |
| Australia (AEDT) | Poland is 10 hours behind | 7 PM - 3 AM AEDT |
Tip: For US callers, evening calls work well for reaching Poland in the morning. If you call at 7 PM EST, it will be 1 AM in Poland. To reach someone during normal hours, call in your early morning or use a VoIP service to schedule a call.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A simple error can prevent your call from connecting. Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the 48 country code:
- Wrong number of digits: Polish numbers are exactly 9 digits after +48. No more, no less.
- Adding a trunk prefix: Poland doesn't use a leading '0' for domestic or international calls. Don't add one.
- Confusing country codes: Don't mix up +48 (Poland) with +43 (Austria), +44 (UK), or +40 (Romania).
- Forgetting the time difference: Poland is 6-9 hours ahead of the US. An afternoon call from America arrives in the middle of the Polish night.
Cheapest Ways to Call +48 Numbers
International calls to Poland 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 Poland, often under $0.10/minute. Check our international calling rates.
- Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, Messenger, and Viber are widely used in Poland and allow free calls over WiFi or data.
- International Calling Plans: Some carriers offer Poland in their international calling bundles. Check our guide on prepaid international calling plans.
Given the large Polish diaspora, especially in the UK, Ireland, Germany, and the US, affordable calling options to Poland are widely available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What country has the +48 country code?
The +48 country code is exclusively for Poland. Any call from a number starting with +48 originates from Poland.
How many digits is a Polish phone number?
Polish phone numbers always have 9 digits after the +48 country code. This applies to both mobile and landline numbers.
What is the area code for Warsaw?
The area code for Warsaw is 22. For international calls, you would dial +48 22 followed by the 7-digit local number.
What is the area code for Krakow?
The area code for Krakow is 12. Internationally, you would dial +48 12 followed by the 7-digit local number.
How do I call Poland from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +48 followed by the 9-digit Polish number. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 48, then the 9-digit number.
What time should I call Poland from the US?
Poland is 6 hours ahead of US Eastern Time and 9 hours ahead of Pacific Time. To reach someone during Polish business hours (9 AM - 5 PM), call between 3 AM - 11 AM EST or 12 AM - 8 AM PST.
Is +48 Poland or Portugal?
+48 is the country code for Poland. The country code for Portugal is +351.
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