The 972 country code belongs to Israel. Whether you're calling business contacts in Tel Aviv, family in Jerusalem, or friends in the coastal city of Haifa on the Mediterranean, the +972 prefix connects you to this country of about 9 million people.

Quick Answer: The country code +972 is for Israel. Israeli numbers use a leading 0 (trunk prefix) that you must drop when calling internationally. For example, if the local number is 03 123 4567, dial +972 3 123 4567.

How to Call Israel: Quick Reference

When calling Israel, remember to drop the leading 0 from the local number. This is the most common mistake people make.

Calling From Dialing Format
US/Canada Mobile +972 [number without leading 0]
US/Canada Landline 011-972-[number without leading 0]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-972-[number without leading 0]
Germany 00-972-[number without leading 0]
France 00-972-[number without leading 0]
Australia 0011-972-[number without leading 0]

Israel has a large diaspora worldwide, particularly in North America and Europe.

Understanding Israeli Phone Numbers

Israeli phone numbers have different formats for mobile and landline calls. The trunk prefix 0 must be dropped when calling from abroad.

The Trunk Prefix (0)

Like the UK and Germany, Israel uses a trunk prefix of 0 for domestic calls. When calling internationally:

  • Drop the leading 0 from any Israeli number
  • Local format: 03 123 4567 (Tel Aviv)
  • International format: +972 3 123 4567

This is the most frequent mistake when calling Israel. If your call doesn't connect, check whether you accidentally included the 0.

Mobile Numbers

Israeli mobile numbers start with 05:

  • Local format: 05X XXX XXXX (10 digits including trunk prefix)
  • International format: +972 5X XXX XXXX (9 digits after +972)
  • Common prefixes: 050, 052, 053, 054, 055, 058
  • Example: Local 054 123 4567 becomes +972 54 123 4567

Major mobile carriers in Israel include Cellcom, Partner (Orange), Pelephone, HOT Mobile, and Golan Telecom.

Landline Numbers

Israeli landlines use area codes that vary by region:

  • Local format: 0[area code] XXX XXXX
  • Tel Aviv example: 03 123 4567 becomes +972 3 123 4567
  • Jerusalem example: 02 123 4567 becomes +972 2 123 4567

Israel Area Codes

Here are the area codes for Israeli regions:

Region Area Code International Format
Jerusalem 2 +972 2 XXX XXXX
Tel Aviv (Central Israel) 3 +972 3 XXX XXXX
Haifa (Northern Israel) 4 +972 4 XXX XXXX
Southern Israel (Beer Sheva, Eilat) 8 +972 8 XXX XXXX
Sharon Region (Netanya, Herzliya) 9 +972 9 XXX XXXX

Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference

You can tell mobile from landline by the first digits after dropping the trunk prefix:

  • Starts with 5: A mobile number
  • Starts with 2, 3, 4, 8, or 9: A landline number with an area code

Mobile numbers in Israel are typically more expensive to call than landlines.

Dialing Examples

Here are practical examples showing how to dial Israeli numbers from various countries:

Example 1: Calling a Tel Aviv Landline from the US

  • Israeli Local Number: 03 123 4567
  • From a US Mobile: +972 3 123 4567
  • From a US Landline: 011 972 3 123 4567

Example 2: Calling an Israeli Mobile from the US

  • Israeli Local Number: 054 987 6543
  • From a US Mobile: +972 54 987 6543
  • From a US Landline: 011 972 54 987 6543

Example 3: Calling Israel from the UK

  • Israeli Local Number: 02 567 8901 (Jerusalem)
  • From the UK: 00 972 2 567 8901

Example 4: Calling Israel from Germany

  • Israeli Local Number: 052 345 6789 (mobile)
  • From Germany: 00 972 52 345 6789

Best Times to Call Israel

Israel uses Israel Standard Time with daylight saving:

Time Zone Name UTC Offset
IST Israel Standard Time UTC+2
IDT Israel Daylight Time UTC+3 (summer)

Time differences from major cities:

Your Location Israel Time Difference Call Israel 9 AM - 5 PM
US East Coast (EST) Israel is 7 hours ahead 2 AM - 10 AM your time
US West Coast (PST) Israel is 10 hours ahead 11 PM - 7 AM your time
UK (GMT) Israel is 2 hours ahead 7 AM - 3 PM your time
Germany (CET) Israel is 1 hour ahead 8 AM - 4 PM your time

Tip: The weekend in Israel is Friday-Saturday (Shabbat). Business hours are typically Sunday-Thursday. Many businesses close early on Friday and reopen Sunday morning.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most frequent errors when dialing the 972 country code:

  • Keeping the leading 0: This is the most common mistake. Always drop the 0 when calling internationally.
  • Confusing +972 with +970: +972 is Israel, +970 is Palestine. These are separate country codes.
  • Wrong number length: After dropping the 0, Israeli numbers should be 8-9 digits after +972.
  • Confusing mobile and landline prefixes: Mobile numbers start with 5. Area codes are single digits (2, 3, 4, 8, 9).
  • Calling during Shabbat: Many Israelis don't answer calls from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

Cheapest Ways to Call +972 Numbers

International calls to Israel can be expensive through traditional carriers. Here are better options:

  • VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Israel. Check our Israel calling rates.
  • Messaging Apps: WhatsApp is widely used in Israel and allows free calls over WiFi or data.
  • International Calling Plans: Some carriers offer Middle East calling bundles. Check our guide on how to make international calls.

Israel has a large diaspora worldwide, so many providers offer competitive rates for calls to Israel.

Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What country has the +972 country code?

The +972 country code is for Israel. This covers all of Israel including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Beer Sheva.

How many digits is an Israeli phone number?

Israeli phone numbers are 9-10 digits when dialed locally (including the trunk prefix 0). When dialing internationally, drop the leading 0. Mobile numbers are 10 digits starting with 05. Landlines use area codes.

Does Israel have area codes?

Yes, Israel uses area codes for landline numbers. Jerusalem is 2, Tel Aviv is 3, Haifa is 4, Southern Israel is 8, and the Sharon region is 9. Mobile numbers do not use area codes.

How do I call Israel from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +972 followed by the Israeli number without the leading 0. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 972, then the number without the leading 0.

Do I drop a 0 when calling Israel internationally?

Yes, drop the leading 0 when calling Israel internationally. If the local number is 03 123 4567 (Tel Aviv), dial +972 3 123 4567 internationally.

Is +972 Israel or Palestine?

+972 is the country code for Israel. Palestine has the country code +970. These are separate country codes.

Related Country Codes

Looking for other country codes in the region? Check out these guides:

View all country codes →

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