How to Call Between USA and Germany: Complete Guide

Dialing Codes for USA-Germany Calls

Calling between the United States and Germany requires just a few points of dialing knowledge: the country codes, the international access (exit) codes used by each country, and the rule about dropping the leading zero on German area and mobile codes when calling from abroad.

Key codes and rules

• Germany country code: +49. Domestic German numbers begin with a 0 (for example, 030 for Berlin). When you call from the US, drop that leading 0 and use +49 30 ... or 011 49 30 ...
• United States country code: +1. US numbers use three-digit area codes (for example, 212 for New York). From Germany, you dial +1 or 00 1 before the area code.
• US international access code (to dial out): 011. So a call from the US to Germany starts with 011, then 49, then the German number without its leading 0.
• German international access code: 00. So a call from Germany to the US starts with 00, then 1, then the US area code and local number.
• The plus sign (+) works from cell phones and many VoIP apps: +49 30 1234567 is the same as 011 49 30 1234567 when dialing from the US.

Practical dialing examples

• How to call Germany from the USA (landline or mobile using international code):
  • Dial: 011 49 30 1234567
  • Or on a cell: +49 30 1234567
• How to call the USA from Germany:
  • Dial: 00 1 212 555 1234
  • Or on a cell: +1 212 555 1234

Examples with mobiles and German local codes

• Berlin: domestic 030 → from the US: +49 30 1234567
• Munich: domestic 089 → from the US: +49 89 1234567
• Hamburg: domestic 040 → from the US: +49 40 1234567

If you plan to make many international calls from a computer or smartphone, see our general how-to on international calling procedures at Make International Calls.

Mobile vs Landline Calling Procedures

Whether you use a mobile phone or a landline affects the easiest way to dial and what you’ll pay. Below I compare both and provide tips for each situation.

Calling from a US mobile to Germany

• Use the plus (+) symbol: hold the 0 key on most phones until + appears. Then dial +49, then the German number without the leading zero. Example: +49 30 1234567.
• The plus takes care of the US exit code (011). This is the most reliable method on smartphones and avoids any confusion with carrier-specific prefixes.
• If you prefer, you can dial 011 49 ... from a US landline or some cell phones.

Calling from a US landline to Germany

• Dial 011 (US exit code) + 49 (Germany country code) + the number without the leading 0. Example: 011 49 89 1234567.

Calling from a German mobile to the US

• Use +1 followed by the US area code and number. Example: +1 212 555 1234. On German phones you can also dial 00 1 ...
• You must include the area code for the US number even for local calls.

Calling from a German landline to the US

• Dial 00 1 + area code + local number. Example: 00 1 310 555 1234.

Special cases and tips

• Calling German mobile numbers from abroad: remove the domestic leading zero. Domestic: 0151 2345678 → from the US: +49 151 2345678.
• Toll and premium numbers: some numbers (e.g., German 0180, 0900) have special charges. Check pricing before calling.
• If you use a corporate PBX or a hotel phone, you may need to dial an additional prefix (like 9) to get an outside line before entering the international sequence.
• Save important international contacts in your phone using the + country code format so the number works regardless of your location or roaming.

If you need options that avoid using your cellular minutes, see the VoIP and app options below or check comparisons in Free Video Calling Sites.

Cheapest Calling Methods

If cost matters, you have several options. Price varies by method, destination, and whether both parties have the same app. I list common methods from lowest to highest typical cost and include realistic examples.

1. App-to-app internet calls (often free)

• Tools like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Signal, or Zoom let you call for free when both parties use the same app and have an internet connection. These are the cheapest method in most cases.
• Limitation: the person you call must also have the app and internet access. See free video calling options at Free Video Calling Sites.

2. VoIP apps that call regular phone numbers (low cost)

• Apps such as Telvio, Skype Out, Viber Out, and others let you call real landlines and mobiles using WiFi or mobile data.
• Typical costs vary by destination. For example, Telvio offers rates from about $0.02/min to the US. Per-second billing and no connection fees can make short calls especially inexpensive.
• Example: a 10-minute call to a US landline using a low-cost VoIP credit plan could cost $0.20 with a $0.02/min rate versus several dollars via a carrier’s international plan.

3. Local SIM or eSIM with international minutes

• If you travel to Germany, buying a local prepaid SIM with an international bundle can lower costs when calling the US or calling locally.
• This helps incoming calls and local outbound calls but requires swapping SIMs or having dual-SIM capability.

4. International calling cards and PIN services

• Calling cards can offer low per-minute rates, but watch for connection fees, hidden surcharges, and rounding practices. Compare effective per-minute rates, not just advertised rates.

5. Carrier international plans and roaming

• US carriers offer international plans or add-ons that make calling Germany cheaper than default rates, but they still tend to cost more than VoIP apps for many calls.
• Use carrier plans for convenience or when you need guaranteed voice quality without relying on internet connectivity.

6. Callback services and landline packages

• Some services initiate a callback to both numbers to bridge the call at a lower cost. These can work, but they add complexity and sometimes call setup time.

Which method is cheapest in practice

• For most people who call Europe occasionally, a VoIP app that charges low rates per minute (and bills per second) will be cheapest. For fully free calls, app-to-app over WiFi is best.
• If you need to call a regular phone number in Germany from the US and the person on the other end won’t use an app, a low-cost VoIP app or a calling card is usually more economical than carrier international minutes.

For a deeper look at VoIP pricing and how VoIP services work, see Best VoIP Phone Systems. If you want to use a second number for calls, check the virtual numbers guides at Virtual Phone Numbers Guide and Virtual Phone Numbers SMS.

Mobile Apps and VoIP Solutions

VoIP apps give you the flexibility to call phone numbers in 200+ countries without using your carrier minutes. They rely on WiFi or mobile data and range from fully free app-to-app calling to paid credits that connect to landlines and mobiles.

Types of apps and when to use them

• App-to-app (free): WhatsApp, FaceTime, Signal, Messenger. Use when both callers have the same app and data/WiFi. Good for video or voice calls.
• App-to-phone (paid): Telvio, Skype Out, Viber Out. Use when you need to reach a landline or mobile that doesn’t use the app.
• Hybrid services (numbers and forwarding): Services that provide a local virtual number in Germany or the US so either party calls a local number that forwards internationally. See Virtual Phone Numbers Guide.

Why choose a VoIP app-to-phone service

• Lower per-minute rates than many carriers, especially when billed by the second.
• Calls work over WiFi and mobile data — you don’t use cellular voice minutes.
• Flexible credit packs and prepaid options reduce surprises on your monthly bill.

Important features to compare

• Per-minute vs per-second billing. Per-second billing saves money on short calls.
• Connection fees or rounding rules. Avoid services that tack on connection fees or round up aggressively.
• Geographic coverage: ensure the service supports calls to Germany and the US.
• Number presentation (Caller ID): some services let you show your mobile number; others show a generic ID.
• No registration vs account needed: some apps let you make calls without creating a full account.

Real examples

• Telvio: calls real phone numbers in 200+ countries, uses WiFi or mobile data, charges competitive rates, and offers per-second billing. Credits don’t expire, and you get 1 free minute on first install.
• Skype Out: well-known, integrates with desktop and mobile apps, but pricing and connection fees vary by destination.
• Google Voice: good for calls within/from the US, but international calling support and availability depend on the user’s country.

How to choose the best app

• If the person you call can install an app, use app-to-app for free voice or video.
• If you need to reach a landline or someone who won’t install an app, choose a low-cost app-to-phone service that bills by the second and supports both countries.
• Test a short call first to confirm audio quality and check final billed minutes.

If you want a step-by-step on setting up VoIP for international calls, check our guide to VoIP services at Best VoIP Phone Systems. For free virtual number options to receive calls from a different country, see Virtual Phone Numbers SMS.

Time Zone Considerations

Time zones matter when you call across the Atlantic. Germany runs on Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) and Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) during daylight saving. The United States spans multiple zones: Eastern (ET), Central (CT), Mountain (MT), Pacific (PT), plus Alaska and Hawaii.

Standard offsets and daylight saving

• Germany: CET (UTC+1) in winter; CEST (UTC+2) in summer.
• United States:
  • Eastern: UTC-5 (Standard), UTC-4 (DST)
  • Central: UTC-6 (Standard), UTC-5 (DST)
  • Mountain: UTC-7 (Standard), UTC-6 (DST)
  • Pacific: UTC-8 (Standard), UTC-7 (DST)
• Germany and much of the US observe daylight saving, but the start and end dates can differ by a few weeks in spring and fall. That can temporarily change the hour difference.

Common time differences and examples (standard time or DST when both sides are aligned)

• New York (ET) ↔ Berlin (CET/CEST): 6 hours difference
  • 9:00 AM in New York = 3:00 PM in Berlin
• Chicago (CT) ↔ Berlin: 7 hours difference
  • 9:00 AM in Chicago = 4:00 PM in Berlin
• Denver (MT) ↔ Berlin: 8 hours difference
  • 9:00 AM in Denver = 5:00 PM in Berlin
• Los Angeles (PT) ↔ Berlin: 9 hours difference
  • 9:00 AM in Los Angeles = 6:00 PM in Berlin

Practical calling times

• Best windows for business calls:
  • From the US East Coast: 8:00–11:00 AM ET (2:00–5:00 PM CET)
  • From the US West Coast: 7:00–9:00 AM PT (4:00–6:00 PM CET) — late afternoons in Germany
• Avoid early mornings and late evenings in the recipient’s local time. In Germany, business hours are roughly 9:00 AM–6:00 PM; many people avoid business calls on Sunday.
• For family calls, evening hours often work: 5:00–9:00 PM local time.

Use calendar invites with timezone-aware tools

• When scheduling calls, send a calendar invitation. Most calendar systems convert to the recipient’s timezone automatically.
• Include the timezone explicitly in your invite (e.g., "2:00 PM CET / 8:00 AM EST") to avoid confusion.

Handling daylight saving transitions

• Double-check the time around the March/April and October/November transitions. For a couple weeks each year, the difference can shift by an hour because the US and Europe change clocks on different dates.

Practical checklist before you call

• Confirm the local time of the recipient.
• Factor in rush hour, common lunch breaks, and public holidays (German public holidays vary by state).
• Consider sending a brief text or email to confirm availability, especially for business calls.