The international dialing prefix +55 is the Country Calling Code for Brazil.
Brazil’s telephone system utilizes a two-digit area code structure, locally known as the DDD (Código de Discagem Direta a Distância), which must be included after the +55 country code. Furthermore, calling a Brazilian mobile number requires careful attention: all mobile numbers now have a required ninth digit (‘9’) added to the front.
This guide provides the essential dialing format, key city codes, and critical tips for both successful and safe communication with Brazil.
+55 Country Code: Location and Key Facts
The +55 code serves the entire Federative Republic of Brazil, the largest country in South America.
| Detail | Information |
| Location | Brazil (South America) |
| Capital City | Brasília |
| Time Zone | Brazil spans four time zones, but the most common is Brasília Time (BRT), which is UTC-3. |
| Phone Number Length | Landlines: 10 digits (2-digit DDD + 8 digits) |
| Mobiles: 11 digits (2-digit DDD + 9 digits) |
Correct Dialing Format for Calling Brazil (+55)
When calling Brazil from abroad, you do not need to include a domestic carrier code. You only need your international exit code, the country code, the 2-digit area code (DDD), and the local number.
Example: Calling São Paulo
| Step | Action | Landline Example | Mobile Example |
| 1. Dial Exit Code | Your country’s international access code (e.g., 011 for US/Canada). Use + on a mobile. | + | + |
| 2. Dial Country Code | Brazil’s Country Code. | 55 | 55 |
| 3. Dial Area Code (DDD) | São Paulo’s DDD. | 11 | 11 |
| 4. Dial Local Number | Landlines are 8 digits; mobiles are 9 digits and start with 9. | XXXX XXXX | 9XXXX XXXX |
| Full Dialing Sequence | +55 11 XXXX XXXX | +55 11 9XXXX XXXX |
Brazilian Area Codes (DDD) for Major Cities
Brazil has over 60 active DDD codes. Here are the codes for the largest cities and metropolitan areas:
| City | DDD (Area Code) | City | DDD (Area Code) |
| São Paulo | 11 | Brasília | 61 |
| Rio de Janeiro | 21 | Salvador | 71 |
| Belo Horizonte | 31 | Curitiba | 41 |
| Porto Alegre | 51 | Recife | 81 |
| Fortaleza | 85 | Manaus | 92 |
Critical Warning: Mobile Number Format and Scams
The Mobile Number ‘9’ Rule
All mobile numbers in Brazil have 9 digits. This was achieved by inserting the digit 9 at the beginning of the previous 8-digit mobile numbers.
- Landline: (11) XXXX-XXXX (8 digits)
- Mobile: (11) 9XXXX-XXXX (9 digits)
If your contact gives you an 8-digit mobile number, you must add a ‘9’ to the beginning of the 8-digit number before dialing.
Scam Alert
Unsolicited calls from the +55 country code should be approached with extreme caution. Scammers often use Brazilian numbers (or spoofed numbers) for various financial and social engineering scams (golpes), including:
- WhatsApp Scams: Sending texts or calls on WhatsApp claiming an emergency or impersonating a family member to request immediate money transfers.
- Banking Scams: Impersonating bank staff to obtain personal security details.
Action: Never answer or return an unknown international call from +55. If a loved one is in Brazil, only communicate via verified channels or numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the simplest way to get a time difference for Brazil?
Because Brazil spans four time zones, it is best to check the time for the specific DDD code you are calling. The most populous areas (São Paulo and Rio) are on Brasília Time (UTC-3), which is typically 4 hours ahead of US Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) or 2 hours ahead of US Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).
Why do domestic Brazilian calls use a carrier code (e.g., 021)?
When calling long-distance within Brazil, the caller must choose a long-distance provider (like Claro, Vivo, or TIM) and dial their two-digit carrier selection code (e.g., 0 21 11 XXXX XXXX). This carrier code is dropped when calling Brazil from overseas.
Is 55 an area code in the US?
No. The sequence 55 is the International Country Code for Brazil. It is not a valid 3-digit area code within the North American Numbering Plan (NANP).
Conclusion
The Country Code 55 is the prefix for Brazil. Successful dialing requires two critical elements: including the 2-digit Area Code (DDD) and ensuring all mobile numbers have the correct 9-digit structure (starting with ‘9’). Always be vigilant against unexpected calls from this international code.
