Italy’s country code is +39. Unlike most countries, you dial the area code (including the leading 0) even for local calls.
Plan your trip →Landlines: area code + number. Rome: 06 + 7–8 digits. Milan: 02 + 7–8 digits. Naples: 081 + 7 digits. You ALWAYS dial the 0 (even from abroad: +39 06 XXXX XXXX for Rome). Mobile: start with 3XX (320, 333, 347, 389, etc.). 10 digits total. From abroad: +39 3XX XXXXXXX.
112: general emergency (police, fire, ambulance — European standard). 113: Polizia di Stato. 115: Vigili del Fuoco (fire). 118: ambulance. 1515: forest fires. 112 is the one to remember — it routes to all services and has English-speaking operators.
WhatsApp is the default communication tool in Italy (restaurants, hotels, tour guides all use it). Having a working phone number (even a temporary eSIM) makes life much easier. Italian businesses often don’t check voicemail — text or WhatsApp instead.