Brazil +55
To call Brazil from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 55, then the local number without its leading 0. In full: +55 11 96123-4567.
The country calling code for Brazil is +55. A number starting +55 or 0055 is a call to or from Brazil. From abroad: +55 11 96123-4567.
To call Brazil from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 55, then the local number without its leading 0. The +55 code identifies the country; the following digits identify the line (landline or mobile).
How to call Brazil from abroad
011 55 11 96123-456700 55 11 96123-45670011 55 11 96123-4567+55 11 96123-456711 96123-4567 is a real-format Brazil mobile number (example from the ITU-T numbering plan): replace it with the number you were given, without its leading 0.
Brazil area codes
When calling a landline in Brazil, dial the city area code after +55 (without its leading 0):
| City | Area code | Full dial |
|---|---|---|
| São Paulo | 11 | +55 11 … |
| Rio de Janeiro | 21 | +55 21 … |
| Brasília | 61 | +55 61 … |
| Salvador | 71 | +55 71 … |
| Belo Horizonte | 31 | +55 31 … |
Number format
(11) 2345-6789from abroad+55 11 2345-6789(11) 96123-4567from abroad+55 11 96123-4567Landline numbers in Brazil have 10 digits after the country code; mobile numbers have 10 or 11 digits. The national prefix 0 is only dialled inside the country — drop it after +55.
Calling abroad from Brazil
To call another country from Brazil, dial the exit code 00 + carrier code (or + on a mobile), then the country code, then the number. From Brazil to the United States, for example: + 1 201 555 0123.
A Brazil number in international format is written +55 …. The + stands for the exit prefix (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America). Switching to international format, drop the leading 0.
Cheapest ways to call Brazil
With internet on both ends, apps like WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call Brazil for free. To reach a number without an app, VoIP services are usually cheaper than your operator’s international rate.
Frequently asked questions
What country has the code +55?
Brazil has the country calling code +55.
How do I call Brazil from the United States?
Dial 011, then 55, then the local number without its leading 0 — for example 011 11 96123-4567.
What does +55 mean?
It is the international dialing code for Brazil. The + stands for your exit code (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America).
Is +55 mobile or landline?
The +55 code identifies the country, not the line type; Brazil landlines and mobiles share it.
A country code covers a whole nation; the full number depends on the city and operator.
Mobile networks in Brazil
4 mobile network operators run their own networks in Brazil. The largest is Vivo, with about 103 million subscribers (Q4 2025). Pick the one with the best coverage where you will spend most of your time.
Owned by Telefônica Brasil (77.9%)
Owned by América Móvil
Owned by Telecom Italia (67%)
Only in some areas of GO, MG, MS and SP states
Owned by Grupo Algar
- 4G/5G frequency bands used in Brazil: 5G 1800, 5G 2300, 5G 2600, 5G 3500, 5G 700, LTE 1800, LTE 2100, LTE 2300, LTE 2600, LTE 700. Most recent smartphones cover them; older or regional models may miss some.
- Moving there? Mobile number portability has existed since 2008-09-01, a transfer takes about 0–3 day(s) and costs free.
Also available: virtual operators (MVNOs) that rent capacity on these networks — Surf, NLT, Surf Telecom, datora, Telecall.
Operators, subscriber counts, network codes and switch-off dates: Wikipedia (lists of mobile network operators, mobile network codes, 2G/3G phase-out, mobile number portability), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Figures come from each operator or regulator at the date shown.
Getting a SIM card in Brazil
What visitors and new residents need to know before buying a local SIM or eSIM in Brazil, with a source for each point.
Buying a SIM as a visitor
Prepaid operators must keep an up-to-date registry of their users containing full name, address and identity-document number or CPF (Law 10.703/2003), and shops selling prepaid lines must pass these data to the operator within 24 hours. Anatel's Celular Legal programme acts to inhibit the use of irregular handsets (stolen, with an invalid or tampered IMEI, or without Anatel-accepted certification).
Source: planalto.gov.br · gov.br
Scam calls and texts
Register at Não Me Perturbe (naomeperturbe.com.br) to block telemarketing calls from telecom operators and from banks offering payroll loans, and use Qual Empresa Me Ligou (qualempresameligou.com.br) to identify the company behind a calling number. Complaints about abusive or unwanted calls can be filed with Anatel on 1331 (free from anywhere in Brazil).
Emergency numbers
190 police (Polícia Militar), 192 ambulance (SAMU), 193 fire brigade (Corpo de Bombeiros).
Source: visitbrasil.com · en.wikipedia.org
WhatsApp and calling apps
None known. Article 9 of the Marco Civil da Internet (Law 12.965/2014) requires network operators to treat all data packets equally regardless of content, origin, destination, service, terminal or application, and prohibits blocking, monitoring or filtering their content; no restriction on WhatsApp, FaceTime or Skype calls was found.
Source: planalto.gov.br
Checked on 28 September 2026 against the sources linked on each card (regulators, government portals and operators first). SIM and ID rules change often: confirm with the operator before you travel.
Staying connected in Brazil
With 102 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, almost everyone in Brazil has a mobile — a WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call is usually the easiest way in. Internet use is high (85 %), so app-to-app calls over Wi-Fi are a safe bet.
Source: World Bank / ITU World Telecommunication indicators (IT.CEL.SETS.P2, IT.NET.USER.ZS, IT.MLT.MAIN.P2), latest available year.
Free and premium numbers in Brazil
+55 800 12 3456Free from inside Brazil (numbers starting with 800). From abroad these numbers are often unreachable or charged at the international rate.
+55 500 12 3456Surcharged services — ranges starting with 5900. Do not call back an unknown missed call from such a range: the cost is far above a normal call.
Number ranges: ITU-T national numbering plan for Brazil via Google libphonenumber.
Suriname +597
Peru +51
Bolivia +591
Uruguay +598
Guyana +592
Paraguay +595
French Guiana +594
Venezuela +58
Colombia +57
Argentina +54