How to Call Germany from the US

With a strong economy and business-friendly policies, Germany is full of opportunities for businesses looking to grow. Whether you’re expanding into a new market or establishing partnerships, at some point, you’ll need to learn how to call Germany from the US. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of making business calls to Germany from the United States. From dialing codes to cost-saving tips, we’ve got you covered in this essential primer to international business communication with Germany.

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Calling Germany

When it comes to international business, Germany often finds itself at the heart of global trade. If you’re calling Germany, you’ll need to know a few things in order to successfully place a call from the US. 

• Are you calling a cell phone or a landline? There are different steps to take for each, so it’s important to know. 
• Does your phone provider block international calls? If so, you’ll need to call the provider to change this before calling Germany. 
• Does the number you’re calling begin with a zero? This is called a trunk code and needs to be dropped before placing your call. Certain countries use trunk codes when calling within the country. Germany’s trunk code is 0, while the United States uses 1 as a trunk code. However, these trunk codes are not used for international calling. 

Country Code for Germany

Now that we’ve covered some basics, let’s talk about how to call Germany from the US.  One of the first things you’ll need to know is the country code for Germany. Every country has a country code. This code tells your phone provider that you’re making an international call. The country code for Germany is 49. 

When calling Germany, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Dial the exit code. The exit code for the United States is 011.
2. Dial the country code. The country code for Germany is 49. 
3. Dial the area code (if it’s a landline). The area code will be somewhere between two to five digits. If you’re calling Berlin, for example, the area code is 30. 
4. Dial the phone number. The phone number will be between three and nine digits. Usually, shorter area codes have longer phone numbers, and longer area codes have shorter phone numbers.

An example phone number call to Berlin, Germany might look like this:

011-49-30-XXXXXXX

Area Codes for Different Cities in Germany

Germany uses area codes based on geographic areas. These area codes can be between two and five digits. Larger cities have shorter area codes, while smaller cities have longer area codes. 

Here is a list of area codes for some of the biggest cities in Germany:

241 Aachen

821 Augsburg

30 Berlin

521 Bielefeld

234 Bochum

228 Bonn

3381 Brandenburg

421 Bremen

371 Chemnitz

231 Dortmund

351 Dresden

203 Duisburg

211 Dusseldorf

201 Essen

69 Frankfurt

209 Gelsenkirchen

40 Hamburg

511 Hannover

721 Karlsruhe

221 Koeln (Cologne)

2151 Krefeld

341 Leipzig

621 Mannheim

33082 Menz

89 Munchen (Munich)

6071 Munster

911 Nurnberg

711 Stuttgart

611 Wiesbaden

202 Wuppertal

How to Call a Landline in Germany

If you need to know how to call a landline in Germany, you’re in luck! It’s an easy process, as long as you have all the information you need. 

1. Dial the exit code. The exit code for the US is 011.
2. Dial the country code. The country code for Germany is 49.
3. Dial the area code. If you’re calling someone in Stuttgart, the area code is 711. If the person you’re calling you gives you an area code with a zero in front of it (for example 0711), drop the 0. 
4. Dial the phone number. 

The completed phone number will looking something like this:

011-49-711-XXXXXXX

How to Call a Cell Phone

The rules for dialing a cell phone in Germany are slightly different than for a landline. When cell phones first came out, each carrier used to supply a different area code. For example, 171 was for Telekom and 162 for Vodafone. However, with cell phone numbers being portable, the prefix of a mobile phone no longer signifies the provider. Typically, the prefixes you’ll see for cell phones begin with 15, 16, and 17.

All you need to know, however, is that you’re dialing a mobile phone so that you don’t add extra digits. 

To call a cell phone in Germany:

1. Dial the exit code. The exit code for the US is 011.
2. Dial the country code. The country code for German is 49. 
3. Dial the cell phone number.  

The completed cell phone number will look something like this: 

011-49-XXXXXXXXXX

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Business Etiquette in Germany

In order to build and maintain a successful professional relationship, it’s important to follow business etiquette in Germany. Here are some key points to keep in mind when calling Germany:

• Punctuality: Germans value punctuality highly. Always be on time for scheduled calls. If you anticipate being late, inform the other party in advance. 
• Formal greetings: Begin the call with a polite greeting. “Guten Tag” (Good day) or “Hallo” (Hello) followed by the person’s title and last name is appropriate. 
• Use of titles: Address individuals by their professional titles and last names until invited to use first names. “Herr” (Mr.) and “Frau” (Mrs./Ms.) are common prefixes.
• Structured conversation: Germans typically follow a structured approach to business discussions. Be prepared to provide clear and concise information, and expect questions and discussions to be organized. 
• Professional tone: Maintain a formal and professional tone throughout the call. Avoid excessive small talk at the start of the conversation. 
• Be prepared: Have all necessary documents, data, and materials ready before the call. Germans value thoroughness and preparation. 
• Follow-up: After the call, send a follow-up email summarizing the key points discussed and any action items.
• Dress code: If you’re conducting a video call, make sure to dress professionally and conservatively. Germans appreciate a well-groomed appearance. 

How to Call Germany from the US for Less

International phone rates can be expensive. If you’ll be calling Germany regularly, that can really add up. One easy way to save tons of money on international calling is to sign up for VoIP phone services. 

With VoIP, all you need is an internet connection and an internet-capable device and you can begin making calls to Germany from the US today. The international call rates are extremely low compared to landline rates, saving you tons of money in the process. 

If you need help finding a VoIP provider, OneStop Communications is here to serve. We can help you find the right VoIP provider for calling Germany. Contact OneStop today to learn more! We’re based in Atlanta but we serve the entire US including Miami, Tampa, Houston, and Los Angeles. 

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