The 56 country code belongs to Chile. Whether you're calling Santiago, Valparaiso, or anywhere else in Chile, the +56 prefix connects you to the country's 19 million residents.

Quick Answer: The country code +56 is for Chile. All Chilean phone numbers have 9 digits after the +56 prefix. A Santiago landline looks like +56 2 2345 6789 and a mobile like +56 9 1234 5678.

How to Call Chile: Quick Reference

The dialing format for Chile depends on where you're calling from. Here's a reference table for the most common countries.

Calling From Dialing Format
US/Canada Mobile +56 [9-digit number]
US/Canada Landline 011-56-[9-digit number]
Spain 00-56-[9-digit number]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-56-[9-digit number]
Argentina 00-56-[9-digit number]
Peru 00-56-[9-digit number]

Chile has a diaspora spread across several countries. Around 100,000 Chileans live in the United States, with communities in Florida, New York, and California. Argentina, Sweden, and Spain also have sizable Chilean populations.

Understanding Chilean Phone Numbers

Chile uses a consistent 9-digit format for all phone numbers after the +56 country code. The first digit tells you whether it's a mobile or landline.

Mobile Numbers

Chilean mobile numbers follow a simple format:

  • Length: Always 9 digits after +56.
  • Starting Digit: Mobile numbers always start with 9.
  • Example: +56 9 1234 5678 or +56 9 8765 4321.
  • No area code needed: Mobile numbers work the same nationwide.

Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)

Chilean landlines also total 9 digits, using area codes:

  • Santiago: Area code 2 + 8-digit local number = 9 digits. Example: +56 2 2345 6789.
  • Other cities: 2-digit area code + 7-digit local number = 9 digits. Example: Valparaiso +56 32 234 5678.
  • Trunk Prefix: When calling domestically, some older systems use 0 before the area code. Drop the 0 for international calls.

Chile Area Codes Reference Table

Santiago uses the single-digit area code 2. All other cities use 2-digit codes. Here are the area codes for major Chilean cities:

City Area Code International Format
Santiago 2 +56 2 XXXX XXXX
Valparaiso 32 +56 32 XXX XXXX
Concepcion 41 +56 41 XXX XXXX
Antofagasta 55 +56 55 XXX XXXX
Temuco 45 +56 45 XXX XXXX
La Serena 51 +56 51 XXX XXXX
Rancagua 72 +56 72 XXX XXXX
Talca 71 +56 71 XXX XXXX
Puerto Montt 65 +56 65 XXX XXXX
Iquique 57 +56 57 XXX XXXX

Note: Santiago is the only city with a single-digit area code (2), giving it 8 local digits. All other cities use 2-digit area codes with 7 local digits. The total is always 9 digits after +56.

Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference

You can tell whether a +56 number is mobile or landline by its first digit:

  • Starts with 9: Always a mobile number.
  • Starts with 2: A Santiago landline.
  • Starts with any other digit: A regional landline.

This matters because calling rates to mobile and landline numbers often differ.

Dialing Examples

Here are practical examples for calling different types of Chilean numbers from various locations:

Example 1: Calling a Santiago Landline from the US

  • Chilean Number: (02) 2345-6789 (Santiago area code 2, domestic format with trunk prefix 0)
  • From a US Mobile: +56 2 2345 6789
  • From a US Landline: 011 56 2 2345 6789

Example 2: Calling a Chilean Mobile from the US

  • Chilean Number: 9 1234-5678
  • From a US Mobile: +56 9 1234 5678
  • From a US Landline: 011 56 9 1234 5678

Example 3: Calling a Valparaiso Landline from Spain

  • Chilean Number: (032) 234-5678 (Valparaiso area code 32, domestic format with trunk prefix 0)
  • From Spain: 00 56 32 234 5678

Example 4: Calling from the UK

  • Chilean Number: Any mobile (e.g., 9 8765-4321)
  • From the UK: 00 56 9 8765 4321

Best Times to Call Chile

Chile uses Chile Standard Time (CLT) at UTC-4 in winter (April through September) and Chile Summer Time (CLST) at UTC-3 in summer (October through March). Note that Chile's seasons are opposite to the Northern Hemisphere.

Here's how Chile's time relates to other time zones during Chilean winter (April-September):

Your Location Time Difference Call Chile 9 AM - 6 PM
US East Coast (EDT) Chile is same time 9 AM - 6 PM EDT
US East Coast (EST) Chile is 1 hour ahead 8 AM - 5 PM EST
US West Coast (PDT) Chile is 3 hours ahead 6 AM - 3 PM PDT
UK (BST) Chile is 5 hours behind 2 PM - 11 PM BST
Spain (CEST) Chile is 6 hours behind 3 PM - 12 AM CEST

Tip: Because Chile observes daylight saving time on the opposite schedule from the Northern Hemisphere, the time difference shifts twice a year. Always double-check the current offset before scheduling a call.

Easter Island (+56 but Different Time Zone)

Easter Island (Rapa Nui) uses the same +56 country code as mainland Chile, but it's 2 hours behind. Easter Island operates on UTC-6 in winter and UTC-5 in summer. Phone numbers for Easter Island use area code 32 (same as Valparaiso region).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A simple error can prevent your call from connecting. Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the 56 country code:

  • Including the trunk prefix: Drop the leading 0 from domestic numbers when calling internationally. Dial +56 2 (not +56 02) for Santiago.
  • Confusing country codes: Don't mix up +56 (Chile) with +57 (Colombia), +55 (Brazil), or +54 (Argentina).
  • Wrong digit count: All Chilean numbers are 9 digits after +56. If your number has more or fewer digits, something is wrong.
  • Daylight saving confusion: Chile's DST runs October to March (Southern Hemisphere summer). This is the opposite of US and European schedules.

Cheapest Ways to Call +56 Numbers

International calls to Chile don't have to be expensive. While traditional carriers can charge $1-$3 per minute, better options exist:

  • VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Chile. Check our international calling rates.
  • Messaging Apps: WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in Chile and allows free calls over WiFi or data.
  • International Calling Plans: Some carriers include Chile in their international bundles. Check our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What country has the +56 country code?

The +56 country code is for Chile. Any call from a number starting with +56 originates from Chile.

How many digits is a Chilean phone number?

Chilean phone numbers have 9 digits after the +56 country code. Mobile numbers start with 9. Santiago landlines start with 2. Regional landlines start with other 2-digit area codes.

What is the area code for Santiago?

The area code for Santiago is 2. For international calls, dial +56 2 followed by the 8-digit local number.

What is the area code for Valparaiso?

The area code for Valparaiso is 32. Internationally, dial +56 32 followed by the 7-digit local number.

How do I call Chile from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +56 followed by the 9-digit Chilean number. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 56, then the 9-digit number. Drop any domestic trunk prefix (0).

What time should I call Chile from the US?

Chile is on UTC-4 in winter (April-September) and UTC-3 in summer (October-March). The time difference with the US varies by season since both countries change clocks at different times.

Is +56 Chile or Colombia?

+56 is the country code for Chile. The country code for Colombia is +57.

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