Brazil Country Code (+55): Complete Guide to Calling Brazil
Complete guide to Brazil country code +55. Learn how to dial Brazil from abroad, understand São Paulo, Rio area codes, mobile operators (Vivo, Claro, TIM, Oi), WhatsApp dominance (96%), and save money on calls.
Quick Facts: Brazil Country Code
| Country Code | +55 |
| International Prefix | 00 (from Brazil) |
| Number Format | +55 XX 9XXXX-XXXX (mobile) |
| Time Zone | BRT (UTC-3), multiple zones |
| Major Carriers | Vivo, Claro, TIM, Oi |
How to Dial Brazil
The Brazil country code is +55. Brazilian mobile numbers have 9 digits and always start with 9. This mandatory "9" prefix was added in 2012.
From the USA
Format: 011 + 55 + Area Code + Number
Example (São Paulo Mobile): 011-55-11-9XXXX-XXXX
From UK/Europe
Format: 00 + 55 + Area Code + Number
Example (Rio Mobile): 00-55-21-9XXXX-XXXX
Brazil Area Codes
| City | Area Code |
|---|---|
| São Paulo | 11 |
| Rio de Janeiro | 21 |
| Brasília | 61 |
| Belo Horizonte | 31 |
| Salvador | 71 |
| Recife | 81 |
Mobile Operators in Brazil
Brazil has four major mobile carriers:
- Vivo (~33%): Largest carrier, owned by Telefónica
- Claro (~25%): Owned by América Móvil (Carlos Slim)
- TIM (~23%): Italian Telecom subsidiary
- Oi (~16%): Brazilian carrier, restructuring
📱 Brazilian Mobile Format: All mobile numbers are 9 digits and start with 9. Format: 9XXXX-XXXX
WhatsApp Dominance
96% of Brazilians use WhatsApp - the highest adoption rate in the world! WhatsApp is essentially the default communication method in Brazil. Many businesses only accept orders via WhatsApp.
Cost to Call Brazil
| Service | Rate |
|---|---|
| BubblyPhone | $0.03-0.05/min |
| Carrier (AT&T/Verizon) | $2.50-3.50/min |
| T-Mobile | $0.25/min or included |
| Free (app-to-app) |
Time Zone
Brazil spans multiple time zones. Most of the population lives in Brasília Time (BRT, UTC-3):
- 12 PM EST = 2 PM in São Paulo/Rio
- 6 PM EST = 8 PM in São Paulo/Rio
São Paulo and Rio are 2 hours ahead of EST (1 hour ahead during EDT).
Pro Tips for Calling Brazil
- 9-Digit Mobile: All mobile numbers start with 9 and have 9 digits total
- Use WhatsApp: 96% adoption - most Brazilians prefer WhatsApp over regular calls
- Area Code Required: Always include the 2-digit area code, even for local calls
- Time Zones: Brazil is huge - western regions are up to 2 hours behind São Paulo
Ready to Start Calling?
Make international calls from your browser with BubblyPhone. No app needed, instant setup.
Get Started Free →