Italy Country Code (+39): How to Call Italy from Abroad

Italy’s international dialling code is +39. Whether you want to call Italy from the UK, buy an Italian SIM card, or choose the best mobile plan for your stay or relocation, this guide covers everything you need to make calls to and from Italy without any nasty surprises.

What is Italy’s country code?

Italy’s international country code is +39 (or 0039 from a landline). You need to dial this prefix before any Italian number, whether you’re calling a mobile or a landline.

Unlike most countries, Italian landlines keep their regional area code even for local calls. The total length of a landline number varies between 8 and 10 digits depending on the city. Italian mobile numbers always have 10 digits and start with the operator’s prefix (for example, 340 for Vodafone or 330 for TIM).

How to call Italy from abroad, step by step

Calling an Italian number from the UK, Australia, or anywhere else is simple:

1. Dial +39 (or 0039 from a landline)
2. Then add the full Italian number:
   • For a mobile: the 10 digits directly after +39
   • For a landline: the city area code followed by the local number

If your plan includes calls to Italy, you won’t pay anything extra. Otherwise, check your operator’s international rates or consider one of the alternatives below.

Calling back home from Italy

If you’re in Italy and want to call your home country, simply dial the country code followed by the number without the leading zero. For the UK, that means dialling +44 followed by the number without the initial 0. For Australia, use +61 and drop the leading 0.

Keep your home SIM or get an Italian one?

Whether you’re preparing a trip or a move to Italy, the right phone solution depends on how long you’ll be staying and what you need. Here are the main options.

Using your existing plan in Italy

Thanks to the EU Roam-like-at-home regulation, EU-issued SIM cards can be used in Italy without extra charges for calls and texts. If you have a UK SIM, roaming rules vary by operator since Brexit, so check your provider’s current policy before travelling. Many major UK operators (EE, Vodafone UK, O2) have reintroduced roaming fees in the EU, while others like Sky Mobile or iD Mobile still include EU roaming.

One thing to keep in mind if you’re working in Italy: a foreign number can sometimes put off Italian employers or service providers who may hesitate to call back a number they don’t recognise. A local number makes professional and administrative life significantly easier.

Advantages of keeping your home plan: no number change, easy calls back home, no new contract to set up.

Disadvantages: data may be limited or subject to fees in Italy, possible suspension if you’re abroad long-term with no returns, a foreign number is less practical for Italian admin and work.

Getting an Italian SIM card

Italian SIM cards are available at operator stores and tobacconists (tabaccherie)
If you’re staying in Italy for an extended period, an Italian SIM card is usually the most economical and practical solution. It gives you priority access to local networks, better coverage, and data rates well below what you’d pay on a roaming plan.

Where to buy a SIM card in Italy?

You’ll find SIM cards at operator stores (TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, Fastweb), some tobacconists (tabaccherie), and major electronics retailers. You’ll need to show ID (passport or national ID card) and, for registration purposes, you will usually need an Italian tax code (codice fiscale).

How much does an Italian SIM cost?

Activation typically costs between 5 and 10 euros. Prepaid plans start at around 10 to 20 euros per month, generally including a data allowance, unlimited calls, and texts. Italian tariffs are consistently among the most competitive in Europe.

The main Italian operators

Using a VoIP app

The most cost-effective way to call home from Italy is to use a VoIP app over Wi-Fi or mobile data. These tools are entirely free for calls between users of the same app. In 2026, the most widely used options are:

• WhatsApp: the go-to app in Italy, free audio and video calls, used daily by Italians themselves
• FaceTime: ideal if you and your contacts are on iPhone or Mac, with excellent audio quality
• Google Meet: handy for group calls, accessible from any browser
• Telegram: a solid alternative to WhatsApp, with encrypted calls and large group support
• Zoom: better suited to professional calls and remote meetings

To call a regular landline or mobile number directly without the other person needing an app, Google Voice offers very low-cost international calls from Italy.
Worth knowing: Skype officially shut down in May 2025. If you were using it to call home, it’s time to switch to WhatsApp or Google Voice depending on your needs.

eSIM: the smart option for travelling to Italy in 2026

The eSIM (a digital SIM embedded in your phone) has become the modern alternative to a physical SIM card. If your smartphone is compatible (the vast majority of models released since 2021 are), you can activate an Italian or international plan directly on your phone without visiting a store.
The main advantages of an eSIM for using your phone in Italy:

• Instant activation: sign up and activate in minutes from your phone, even before you leave home
• Dual SIM: keep your home number active alongside an Italian data plan
• Flexibility: perfect for short stays, with weekly or monthly plans available
• Competitive pricing: providers like Airalo, Holafly, and Ubigi offer Italy or Europe data plans from just a few euros

For a long-term move, a physical SIM from a local operator (TIM, WindTre, Fastweb) is usually better value for high data volumes and included calls. But for a trip or a transitional period when you first arrive, an eSIM is the most practical option in 2026.

Comparison: foreign plan vs Italian plan

Italian mobile plans tend to offer better value than foreign equivalents for high data volumes. Foreign plans, on the other hand, typically include more usable data when roaming across the EU.
Below is a comparison of what international providers available in the UK and other English-speaking markets typically offer for use in Italy, alongside the main Italian operators.

Our recommendation by profile:

• You travel regularly between your home country and Italy: keep your existing plan if it includes reasonable EU roaming, and supplement with a VoIP app for free calls
• You’re relocating to Italy long-term: go for an Italian SIM (Fastweb or WindTre for price, Vodafone Italy for network quality)
• You’re on a short trip or just arriving: an eSIM (Airalo, Holafly) is the fastest and most flexible option to activate
• You want to keep costs as low as possible: combine a prepaid Italian SIM with WhatsApp or Google Meet for calls home

For a broader look at what life costs in Italy, see our guide on the cost of living in Italy.

Solving common problems

Even with a good plan, calls to or from an Italian number can sometimes hit a snag. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them.
If an Italian number isn’t going through, check that you’ve dialled +39 before the number. From a landline, use 0039. If the problem persists, the number may be temporarily inactive or restricted by the operator.
If you’re having network issues with a foreign SIM in Italy, try toggling aeroplane mode on and off, or manually select a partner network in your phone’s settings.
If international calls are blocked, check your contract’s options. Some plans disable international calls by default, and a quick call to your operator’s customer service is usually all it takes to enable them.
Finally, any incoming call starting with +39 is coming from Italy. Stay alert to potential scam calls: if an unknown number looks suspicious, avoid calling back immediately and search the number online first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dialling code for Italy?

Italy’s international dialling code is +39. Dial it before any Italian number, whether mobile or landline, and whether you’re calling from the UK, Australia, or anywhere else. From a landline, you can also dial 0039.

How do I call Italy from the UK?

Dial +39 followed by the full Italian number. For a mobile: +39 and then the 10 digits. For a landline: +39, then the city area code (for example, 02 for Milan or 06 for Rome), then the local number. If your plan includes calls to Italy, no extra charge applies.

How do I call home from Italy?

Dial your country’s international code followed by the number without the leading zero. For the UK, that’s +44; for Australia, +61; for the US or Canada, +1. For free calls, use WhatsApp (the most popular messaging app in Italy), FaceTime (on Apple devices), or Google Meet over Wi-Fi. Note that Skype shut down in May 2025 and is no longer available.

What is an eSIM and how does it work in Italy?

An eSIM is a digital SIM built directly into your smartphone (compatible with most models released since 2021). It lets you activate an Italian data plan in minutes from your phone, with no physical card and no trip to a store. Providers like Airalo, Holafly, and Ubigi offer Italy and Europe plans starting from just a few euros. eSIMs are particularly well suited to short trips or the first weeks after arriving in Italy.

Do I need an Italian SIM card to use my phone in Italy?

No. If you have an EU SIM, you can use it in Italy under the Roam-like-at-home rules. UK SIM holders should check with their operator, as EU roaming policies vary since Brexit. That said, an Italian SIM is recommended for longer stays or a permanent move: better data value, stronger local coverage, and a local number that makes Italian admin and work far more manageable.

What is the best SIM card for visiting or living in Italy?

For short trips, an eSIM from Airalo or Holafly is the easiest option to set up. For longer stays or relocation, Fastweb Mobile and WindTre offer the best value, while TIM and Vodafone Italy are more reliable in rural areas. All physical SIM cards can be purchased without a contract at operator stores, tobacconists, or electronics retailers.

How can I tell if a call is coming from Italy?

Any incoming number starting with +39 is calling from Italy. If you receive a call from an unknown number with this prefix, it’s originating from Italian territory. If the number looks suspicious, don’t call back straight away and look it up online before doing so.