The +90 country code is for Turkey. Whether you're calling Istanbul, Ankara, or anywhere else across the country, +90 is the prefix you need to reach Turkey's 85 million people.
Quick Answer: The country code +90 is for Turkey. All Turkish numbers have 10 digits after +90. Mobile numbers start with 5. An Istanbul landline looks like
+90 212 123 4567and a mobile like+90 532 123 4567.
How to Call Turkey: Quick Reference
The dialing format depends on where you're calling from. Turkey uses a domestic trunk prefix of 0, which you drop when dialing internationally.
| Calling From | Dialing Format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada Mobile | +90 [10-digit number] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-90-[10-digit number] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-90-[10-digit number] |
| Germany | 00-90-[10-digit number] |
| Netherlands | 00-90-[10-digit number] |
| Australia | 0011-90-[10-digit number] |
Turkey has one of the largest diasporas in Europe. Germany alone has over 3 million residents of Turkish origin, and there are sizable Turkish communities in the Netherlands, France, the UK, and the United States.
Understanding Turkish Phone Numbers
All Turkish phone numbers are exactly 10 digits after the +90 country code. Within Turkey, people add a 0 before the number (so 0-XXX-XXX-XX-XX). When calling from abroad, drop that 0 and dial +90 instead.
Mobile Numbers
Turkish mobile numbers always start with 5:
- Length: 10 digits after +90.
- Starting Digit: Always starts with 5.
- Common Prefixes: 530-539 (Turkcell), 540-549 (Turkcell), 550-559 (Vodafone), 530 (Turk Telekom). Carrier prefixes can shift with number portability, so these are approximate.
- Example: Domestic 0532-123-45-67 becomes
+90 532 123 4567internationally.
Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)
Turkish landlines use 3-digit area codes followed by a 7-digit local number:
- Structure: 3-digit area code + 7-digit local number = 10 digits after +90.
- Istanbul: Two area codes -- 212 for the European side, 216 for the Asian side.
- Other cities: One area code per city (e.g., 312 for Ankara, 232 for Izmir).
- Trunk Prefix: Drop the leading 0 when dialing from abroad.
Turkey Area Codes Reference Table
Turkish area codes are 3 digits. Istanbul is the only city with two codes because it spans both Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus.
| City | Area Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul (European side) | 212 | +90 212 XXX XXXX |
| Istanbul (Asian side) | 216 | +90 216 XXX XXXX |
| Ankara | 312 | +90 312 XXX XXXX |
| Izmir | 232 | +90 232 XXX XXXX |
| Antalya | 242 | +90 242 XXX XXXX |
| Bursa | 224 | +90 224 XXX XXXX |
| Adana | 322 | +90 322 XXX XXXX |
| Gaziantep | 342 | +90 342 XXX XXXX |
| Konya | 332 | +90 332 XXX XXXX |
| Trabzon | 462 | +90 462 XXX XXXX |
Note: Istanbul's split area codes (212/216) reflect the city's geography. The Bosphorus strait divides Istanbul between Europe and Asia. If you're calling a landline, you need the right area code for the correct side. Mobile numbers don't have this issue -- they work city-wide regardless of which side.
Istanbul: The Two-Continent City
Istanbul is the only major city in the world that sits on two continents, and its phone system reflects that. The European side (including Sultanahmet, Beyoglu, and Fatih) uses 212. The Asian side (including Kadikoy and Uskudar) uses 216.
For mobile numbers, this doesn't matter. A Turkish mobile starting with 5 works the same whether the person is on the European or Asian side. The 212/216 split only applies to landlines.
Locals sometimes call between the two sides and still need to dial the area code, even though they're in the same city. If someone gives you an Istanbul number, ask which side they're on if it's a landline.
Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference
You can tell whether a +90 number is mobile or landline by the first digit after the country code:
- Starts with 5: A mobile number (10 digits after +90).
- Starts with 2, 3, or 4: A landline number (area code, 10 digits after +90).
Calling rates to Turkish mobile numbers are typically higher than landline rates.
Dialing Examples
Here are practical examples for calling different types of Turkish numbers:
Example 1: Calling an Istanbul Landline (European Side) from the US
- Turkish Number (domestic): 0212-123-45-67
- From a US Mobile:
+90 212 123 4567 - From a US Landline:
011 90 212 123 4567
Example 2: Calling a Turkish Mobile from the US
- Turkish Number (domestic): 0532-123-45-67
- From a US Mobile:
+90 532 123 4567 - From a US Landline:
011 90 532 123 4567
Example 3: Calling an Ankara Landline from the UK
- Turkish Number (domestic): 0312-234-56-78
- From the UK:
00 90 312 234 5678
Example 4: Calling from Germany
- Turkish Number (domestic): Any mobile (e.g., 0555-678-90-12)
- From Germany:
00 90 555 678 9012
Best Times to Call Turkey
Turkey operates on Turkey Time (TRT), which is UTC+3 year-round. Turkey stopped observing daylight saving time in 2016 and stays on UTC+3 permanently.
Here's how Turkish time relates to other time zones:
| Your Location | Time Difference | Call Turkey 9 AM - 6 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Turkey is 8 hours ahead | 1 AM - 10 AM EST |
| US East Coast (EDT) | Turkey is 7 hours ahead | 2 AM - 11 AM EDT |
| US West Coast (PST) | Turkey is 11 hours ahead | 10 PM - 7 AM PST (night before) |
| UK (GMT) | Turkey is 3 hours ahead | 6 AM - 3 PM GMT |
| Germany (CET) | Turkey is 2 hours ahead | 7 AM - 4 PM CET |
| Netherlands (CET) | Turkey is 2 hours ahead | 7 AM - 4 PM CET |
Tip: Turkey is on the same UTC+3 offset as Moscow and does not change clocks seasonally. During European summer time (CEST), the gap between Turkey and Central Europe shrinks to 1 hour instead of 2.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A simple error can prevent your call from connecting. Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the +90 country code:
- Keeping the leading 0: Turkish numbers start with 0 domestically. Drop it when dialing +90. Dial +90 212 (not +90 0212).
- Wrong Istanbul area code: The European side is 212, the Asian side is 216. Using the wrong one for a landline will connect you to a different number or fail.
- Wrong digit count: Turkish numbers are exactly 10 digits after +90. If you have 9 or 11, something is off.
- Forgetting Turkey doesn't change clocks: Turkey stays on UTC+3 all year. The time gap with Europe changes when Europe switches to summer time, not when Turkey does.
Cheapest Ways to Call +90 Numbers
International calls to Turkey don't have to be expensive. Traditional carriers often charge $1-$3 per minute, but better options exist:
- VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Turkish mobile and landline numbers. Check our international calling rates.
- Messaging Apps: WhatsApp is extremely popular in Turkey, used by the majority of the population for messaging and voice calls. Telegram also has a growing user base.
- International Calling Plans: German and Dutch carriers often include Turkey in their international bundles, given the large Turkish diaspora. Check our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
WhatsApp is the default messaging app in Turkey. If you're calling someone there who has a smartphone, they almost certainly have WhatsApp installed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What country has the +90 country code?
The +90 country code is for Turkey. Any call from a number starting with +90 originates from Turkey.
How many digits is a Turkish phone number?
Turkish phone numbers have 10 digits after the +90 country code. Mobile numbers start with 5. Landlines use a 3-digit area code plus a 7-digit local number.
What is the area code for Istanbul?
Istanbul has two area codes: 212 for the European side and 216 for the Asian side. The Bosphorus strait is the dividing line.
What is the area code for Ankara?
The area code for Ankara is 312. Internationally, dial +90 312 followed by the 7-digit local number.
How do I call Turkey from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +90 followed by the 10-digit Turkish number (drop the leading 0). From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 90, then the 10-digit number.
What time should I call Turkey from the US?
Turkey is on UTC+3 year-round, 8 hours ahead of US Eastern Time (EST). To reach Turkish business hours (9 AM-6 PM), call between 1 AM and 10 AM EST.
Why does Istanbul have two area codes?
Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia, divided by the Bosphorus strait. The European side uses 212 and the Asian side uses 216. This only affects landlines -- mobile numbers work across both sides.
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