The +58 country code is for Venezuela. If you've received a call or message from a number starting with +58, it originated in Venezuela. This South American nation stretches along the Caribbean coast and shares borders with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana. About 28 million people live there, though the phone network has become unreliable since the economic crisis began.
Quick answer: The country code +58 is for Venezuela. Venezuelan phone numbers are 10 digits after the country code. Mobile numbers start with 4 (like 412, 414, 416). Landline area codes include 212 for Caracas. Always drop the leading 0 when dialing from abroad.
How to call Venezuela: quick reference
Venezuela uses a trunk prefix system, which means domestic numbers start with 0 but international callers must drop it. Here's how to dial from different locations:
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +58 [10-digit number without leading 0] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-58-[10-digit number without leading 0] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-58-[10-digit number without leading 0] |
| Australia | 0011-58-[10-digit number without leading 0] |
| Most of Europe | 00-58-[10-digit number without leading 0] |
Understanding Venezuelan phone numbers
Venezuelan phone numbers follow a consistent 10-digit format after the country code. Both mobile and landline numbers use this structure, though the prefixes differ:
Mobile numbers
Venezuelan mobile numbers always start with 04 domestically, which becomes just 4 when dialing internationally. The full structure is:
- Format: 4XX-XXX-XXXX (10 digits total)
- Mobile prefixes: 412, 414, 416, 424, 426
- Example: 0414-123-4567 domestically = +58-414-123-4567 internationally
Landline numbers
Landlines use geographic area codes that indicate the region. Caracas uses 212, while other cities have their own codes:
- Format: XXX-XXX-XXXX (3-digit area code + 7-digit local number)
- Example: 0212-555-1234 domestically = +58-212-555-1234 internationally
Key area codes
| City | Area code |
|---|---|
| Caracas | 212 |
| Maracaibo | 261 |
| Valencia | 241 |
| Barquisimeto | 251 |
| Maracay | 243 |
| Puerto La Cruz | 281 |
| Ciudad Guayana | 286 |
| Mérida | 274 |
| San Cristóbal | 276 |
| Barinas | 273 |
Mobile carriers in Venezuela
Three main operators control Venezuela's mobile market, each with distinct number prefixes:
Movilnet
The state-owned carrier operates under CANTV (the national telecom company). Movilnet numbers use the 416 and 426 prefixes. Service has deteriorated along with the rest of state infrastructure, and many users have switched to private carriers.
Movistar Venezuela
Owned by Telefónica, Movistar uses the 414 and 424 prefixes. It's the largest private carrier and tends to work better than Movilnet, at least in cities.
Digitel
The third carrier uses the 412 prefix. Digitel competes mostly on data plan pricing and has a younger user base.
Don't confuse +58 with nearby codes
Several South American country codes sit close to Venezuela's +58, and mix-ups are common:
| Code | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| +57 | Colombia | Venezuela's western neighbor; large cross-border population |
| +55 | Brazil | Shares southern border with Venezuela |
| +56 | Chile | No shared border but similar code |
| +53 | Cuba | Historical and political ties; sometimes confused |
| +593 | Ecuador | Large Venezuelan diaspora community |
The Colombia confusion is especially common because millions of Venezuelans have relocated there, and families often have contacts in both countries.
Time zone considerations
Venezuela operates on Venezuela Time (VET), which is UTC-4 year-round. The country does not observe daylight saving time, which makes scheduling simpler but means the time difference with other countries shifts seasonally.
Best times to call Venezuela
| Your location | Time difference | Suggested calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | +1 hour | 8am-9pm your time |
| US East Coast (EDT) | Same time | 9am-10pm your time |
| US West Coast (PST) | +4 hours | 5am-6pm your time |
| UK (GMT) | -4 hours | 1pm-midnight your time |
| UK (BST) | -5 hours | 2pm-1am your time |
| Central Europe (CET) | -5 hours | 2pm-1am your time |
| Australia (AEST) | -14 hours | 11pm-10am your time (next day) |
Communication in Venezuela
Spanish is the official language and is spoken by virtually everyone. Indigenous languages exist in some regions but you'll conduct all phone-based business in Spanish.
Business hours
Standard business hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Government offices often close earlier, around 3:00 PM. Many businesses observe a lunch break between noon and 2:00 PM, during which reaching someone can be difficult.
Communication patterns
Venezuelans are warm on the phone. Expect greetings and questions about family before getting to the point. WhatsApp dominates because it's cheaper and more reliable than voice calls, which often fail.
Expect dropped calls
Power outages are common, and they take the cell towers down with them. Calls drop mid-conversation. Networks get congested. If your first attempt fails, try again. Many Venezuelans have shifted to WhatsApp and WiFi calling because the cellular voice network is so unreliable.
The Venezuelan diaspora
Over 7 million Venezuelans have left since 2015. That's roughly a quarter of the pre-crisis population, and most of them still have family back home.
Where they went
Colombia took the largest share, about 2.5 million people, mostly walking across the border. Peru has around 1.5 million, concentrated in Lima. The US has over 500,000, with the biggest communities in South Florida (Doral and Weston have become essentially Venezuelan suburbs), Houston, and New York.
Spain drew people who could claim ancestry visas. Chile was popular until the government tightened entry requirements. Ecuador has communities in Quito and Guayaquil.
Why they call
Most calls are about checking on elderly parents who stayed behind, or coordinating money transfers. Remittances keep many Venezuelan families afloat. Parents and children separated for years stay connected by phone because there's no other option.
Dialing examples
Here are practical examples showing exactly how to dial Venezuelan numbers from abroad:
Example 1: Calling a Caracas landline
The number is written as 0212-555-7890
- From US mobile: +58-212-555-7890
- From US landline: 011-58-212-555-7890
- From UK: 00-58-212-555-7890
Example 2: Calling a Movistar mobile
The number is written as 0414-789-0123
- From US mobile: +58-414-789-0123
- From US landline: 011-58-414-789-0123
- From UK: 00-58-414-789-0123
Example 3: Calling a Maracaibo landline
The number is written as 0261-234-5678
- From US mobile: +58-261-234-5678
- From US landline: 011-58-261-234-5678
- From UK: 00-58-261-234-5678
Example 4: Calling a Digitel mobile
The number is written as 0412-345-6789
- From US mobile: +58-412-345-6789
- From US landline: 011-58-412-345-6789
- From UK: 00-58-412-345-6789
Common mistakes to avoid
Several pitfalls trip up first-time callers to Venezuela:
Keeping the trunk prefix
The most common error is including the 0 when dialing internationally. If someone gives you their number as 0414-123-4567, you must dial +58-414-123-4567, not +58-0414-123-4567.
Confusing with Colombia (+57)
Given the large Venezuelan population in Colombia, you might receive a number and assume it's Venezuelan when it's actually Colombian, or vice versa. Always confirm the country code.
Wrong mobile prefix
All Venezuelan mobile numbers start with 4 after the country code. If you're given a number that doesn't fit this pattern, double-check it. Common prefixes are 412, 414, 416, 424, and 426.
Expecting immediate connection
Due to infrastructure issues, calls to Venezuela sometimes fail on the first attempt or experience delays in connecting. Try again if your first call doesn't go through.
Calling during power outages
Venezuela experiences frequent power outages, especially outside Caracas. If you can't reach someone, it may simply be a power issue. Try again later or use WhatsApp messaging, which they can see when power returns.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country has the +58 country code?
The +58 country code belongs to Venezuela. Any incoming call showing +58 at the start originates from somewhere in Venezuela.
How many digits is a Venezuelan phone number?
Venezuelan phone numbers are 10 digits after the +58 country code. This applies to both mobile numbers (like 414-123-4567) and landlines (like 212-555-7890). Domestically, numbers include a leading 0 for a total of 11 digits.
How do I call Venezuela from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +58 followed by the 10-digit number without the leading 0. From a landline, dial 011, then 58, then the 10-digit number. For example, to reach 0212-555-1234 in Caracas, dial +58-212-555-1234 from your mobile.
What time zone is Venezuela in?
Venezuela uses Venezuela Time (VET), which is UTC-4 year-round. There's no daylight saving time. During US Eastern Standard Time, Venezuela is 1 hour ahead. During US Eastern Daylight Time, they're at the same time.
What's the difference between +58 and +57?
+58 is Venezuela and +57 is Colombia. These neighboring countries share a long border, and millions of Venezuelans now live in Colombia. This makes code confusion especially common for families with contacts in both countries.
Does Venezuela use a trunk prefix?
Yes, Venezuela uses 0 as a domestic trunk prefix. Numbers written for local use start with 0 (like 0414-123-4567), but when calling from abroad you drop the 0 and dial +58-414-123-4567.
Why can't I reach someone in Venezuela?
Several factors might prevent your call from connecting: power outages (common throughout the country), network congestion, or simply a dead phone battery with no way to charge. Try again later, or send a WhatsApp message that they'll see when service returns.
What mobile carriers exist in Venezuela?
Three main carriers serve Venezuela: Movilnet (state-owned, prefixes 416/426), Movistar (owned by Telefónica, prefixes 414/424), and Digitel (prefix 412). Movistar generally has the best coverage and reliability in urban areas.
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