List of international call prefixes


An international call prefix or dial out code is a trunk prefix used to select an international telephone circuit for placing an international call. It is now called an IDD prefix – a country will typically have an NDD prefix as well. The international dialing prefix must be dialed before the country calling code and the destination telephone number. It is synonymous with international access code or exit code. The international call prefix is part of the telephone numbering plan of a country for calls to another country.
The International Telecommunication Union recommends the sequence 00 as a standard for an international call prefix, and this has been implemented by most countries, but not all of them. Some countries use the 00 prefix which is followed by the international carrier code.
When phone numbers are published for use abroad, they typically show a plus sign prefix in place of any international call prefix, to signify that the caller should use the prefix code appropriate for their country. Many phones allow the plus sign to be entered in their saved number lists, often by holding down the zero key or with two consecutive presses of the star key. When making a call, the system then automatically converts the plus sign to the correct international prefix, depending on where the phone is being used, which enables callers to use the same stored number when calling from either their own country or any other.

Example

Calling the Dunedin City Council in New Zealand:
Call placed fromNumber dialedIDD Prefix
China, Italy, the United Kingdom or any other country following the ITU-recommendation00 64 3 477 400000
Canada, United States or any other NANP country direct-dial using the default long distance carrier011 64 3 477 4000011
Canada, United States or any other NANP country direct-dial using an alternative long distance carrier 101 xxxx 011 64 3 477 4000011
Canada, United States or any other NANP country operator assisted using the default long distance carrier01 64 3 477 400001
Japan010 64 3 477 4000010
Australia0011 64 3 477 40000011
Russia 810 64 3 477 4000810
Phones that allow the plus symbol, e.g. mobile phone+ 64 3 477 4000auto-generated depending on location of phone
New Zealand03 477 4000N/A

Variations

Some telecommunications service providers or mobile network operators have different international call prefix codes which callers or subscribers can use to route calls through specific networks, sometimes with special pricing arrangements.
Many countries also provide alternative dialling arrangements for calls to neighbouring countries.
Some of these variations from the generic codes are shown in the list below.

Countries by international prefix

Countries using optional carrier selection code

The following is a non-exhaustive list of countries that allow for optional carrier selection in addition to using the standard prefix.