The +595 country code is for Paraguay. If you've received a call starting with +595 or need to reach someone in Asunción or Ciudad del Este, this is your guide. Paraguay is landlocked between Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia. Its phone system works like most of South America, but mobile prefixes and area codes have some local variations worth knowing.
Quick answer: The +595 country code belongs to Paraguay. Phone numbers have 9 digits total: a 2-3 digit area code followed by 6-7 digits. Mobile numbers begin with 9 (like 9XX). The trunk prefix is 0, which you drop when dialing from abroad.
How to call Paraguay: quick reference
The format depends on where you're calling from. If your phone supports the + symbol, just dial +595 and the number. From landlines, you need your country's exit code first.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| Argentina | 00-595-[local number] |
| Brazil | 00-595-[local number] |
| Spain | 00-595-[local number] |
| US/Canada mobile | +595 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-595-[local number] |
Understanding Paraguay phone numbers
Paraguay phone numbers follow a 9-digit structure when calling internationally (excluding the country code). The format differs between landlines and mobiles.
Landline numbers
Landlines use area codes that vary in length. Asunción, the capital, uses the short code 21, while other regions have 3-digit codes. A typical Asunción landline looks like: +595 21 XXX XXXX (area code 21, then 7 digits).
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers always start with 9, followed by two more digits indicating the carrier, then 6 digits. Format: +595 9XX XXX XXX. The 9 prefix tells you it's a mobile regardless of which carrier.
Area codes by city
| City/Region | Area code |
|---|---|
| Asunción | 21 |
| Ciudad del Este | 61 |
| Encarnación | 71 |
| San Lorenzo | 21 |
| Luque | 21 |
| Caaguazú | 522 |
| Coronel Oviedo | 521 |
| Pedro Juan Caballero | 336 |
| Villarrica | 541 |
| Concepción | 331 |
Mobile carriers in Paraguay
Paraguay has four mobile operators. Many people carry two or three SIM cards to get cheaper on-network rates or better coverage in different areas.
Tigo (prefixes 981-985)
Owned by Millicom. Has the most subscribers and best rural coverage.
Personal (prefixes 971-976)
Owned by Telecom Argentina via Núcleo. Strong around Asunción and the eastern border with Brazil.
Claro (prefixes 991-995)
Part of América Móvil. Good in cities, less reliable outside them.
Vox (prefix 961)
Smaller carrier with cheap prepaid plans but limited coverage.
Don't confuse +595 with nearby codes
Paraguay sits in a region where several country codes share similar patterns. The 5XX range covers most of South America, so mix-ups happen.
| Code | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| +595 | Paraguay | This guide |
| +55 | Brazil | Eastern neighbor, much larger code volume |
| +54 | Argentina | Southern neighbor, starts with 54 not 594 |
| +591 | Bolivia | Northern neighbor, similar 59X pattern |
| +598 | Uruguay | Often confused due to similar numbering |
The most common mistake is confusing +595 (Paraguay) with +55 (Brazil), especially since Brazil shares a long border with Paraguay's eastern side. Double-check the third digit: 595 has three fives-nines, while Brazil is just 55.
Time zone considerations
Paraguay observes Paraguay Time (PYT), UTC-4 in winter and UTC-3 during daylight saving time. The country switches clocks in October (forward) and March (back), roughly opposite to Northern Hemisphere patterns.
| Your location | Time difference (winter) | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | +1 hour | 9 AM - 5 PM EST |
| US West Coast (PST) | +4 hours | 6 AM - 2 PM PST |
| UK (GMT) | -4 hours | 1 PM - 9 PM GMT |
| Central Europe (CET) | -5 hours | 2 PM - 10 PM CET |
| Japan (JST) | -13 hours | 10 PM - 6 AM JST |
| Australia (AEST) | -14 hours | 11 PM - 7 AM AEST |
Note: During summer months (October to March), Paraguay is on UTC-3, so adjust these windows by one hour.
Communication in Paraguay
Business hours
Most businesses run Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM, with a long lunch from noon to 2 or 3 PM. Banks close around 3 PM. Shops open Saturday mornings until noon or 1 PM. Sundays are quiet.
WhatsApp and messaging
WhatsApp is how most Paraguayans communicate. Small businesses often list WhatsApp numbers for orders. Older people still prefer voice calls; younger people message.
Language
Paraguay is officially bilingual: Spanish and Guaraní. Most urban Paraguayans speak Spanish, but Guaraní remains strong in rural areas and is often mixed with Spanish in daily conversation (called "Jopará"). Business calls to Asunción are usually in Spanish.
Network quality
4G works in Asunción, Ciudad del Este, and Encarnación. Rural coverage is patchy, especially in the Chaco. Fixed-line infrastructure is old; most people rely on mobile.
The Paraguay diaspora
About 800,000 to 1 million Paraguayans live outside the country, roughly 10-12% of the population. Most left for better wages.
Argentina (500,000+)
Buenos Aires and suburbs. It's close, the language is the same, and there are established Paraguayan neighborhoods. Common jobs: construction, domestic work, informal commerce.
Spain (80,000-100,000)
Mostly Madrid and Barcelona. Migration spiked in the 2000s, then slowed after Spain's 2008 crisis.
Brazil (30,000-50,000)
Concentrated in Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, the states bordering Paraguay. Ciudad del Este and Foz do Iguaçu function almost as one cross-border city.
United States (20,000-30,000)
New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. Many arrived as students or on work visas and stayed.
Dialing examples
Calling a landline in Asunción
To reach a landline number 21-456-7890 in Asunción from the US:
- From a mobile: +595 21 456 7890
- From a landline: 011-595-21-456-7890
Calling a mobile number
To reach a Tigo mobile 981-234-567 from the UK:
- From a mobile: +595 981 234 567
- From a landline: 00-595-981-234-567
Calling Ciudad del Este
To reach a business at 61-500-123 from Germany:
- From a mobile: +595 61 500 123
- From a landline: 00-595-61-500-123
Calling from within Paraguay
For domestic calls, add the trunk prefix 0:
- Asunción landline: 021-456-7890
- Mobile to mobile: 0981-234-567
Common mistakes to avoid
Including the trunk prefix 0
When Paraguayans share their number, they often include the leading 0 used for domestic calls (like 021 for Asunción or 0981 for mobile). Drop this 0 when dialing internationally. It's +595 21, not +595 021.
Confusing +595 with +55 (Brazil)
Since Brazil and Paraguay share a border and have similar-looking codes, people sometimes dial +55 when they mean +595. Brazil's code is two digits (55), Paraguay's is three (595). If your call reaches Portuguese speakers, you've hit Brazil.
Wrong number of digits
Paraguay numbers are 9 digits total (area code + local number). If you have more or fewer digits, something's off. Mobile numbers are always 9 digits starting with 9. Landlines vary: Asunción is 2+7 (21 + 7 digits), while smaller cities might be 3+6.
Ignoring daylight saving time
Paraguay observes DST from October to March (Southern Hemisphere summer). If your contact suddenly seems an hour off, check whether Paraguay has switched clocks—it's often out of sync with Northern Hemisphere schedules.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country has the +595 country code?
Paraguay. Any international number starting with +595 is a Paraguayan number.
How many digits are in a Paraguay phone number?
9 digits after the country code. This includes the area code (2-3 digits) and the local number (6-7 digits). Mobile numbers all start with 9.
What is the trunk prefix for Paraguay?
0. Paraguayans dial 0 before the area code for domestic long-distance calls. Drop this 0 when calling from abroad.
How do I know if a Paraguay number is mobile or landline?
Mobile numbers always start with 9 after the country code (like +595 9XX). Landlines start with the city area code (like +595 21 for Asunción).
What time is it in Paraguay?
Paraguay is on UTC-4 (winter) or UTC-3 (summer, October-March). It's 1 hour ahead of US Eastern Time during winter months.
Can I text a Paraguay number?
Yes, SMS works to Paraguayan mobile numbers. However, WhatsApp is much more common for messaging in Paraguay.
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