You dial +32 followed by the Belgian number, but the call won’t go through. The problem is almost always an extra zero. Using the +32 country code to call Belgium from abroad is straightforward, as long as you know the two or three rules that prevent dialing errors.
The leading zero: the main cause of failed calls to Belgium
In Belgium, all local numbers start with a 0. A Brussels landline is written as 02 123 45 67, while a mobile number appears as 0470 12 34 56. This leading zero is a national prefix: it tells the Belgian network that the call is staying within the country.
When you call from abroad, this zero no longer serves a purpose. The international network replaces it with the country code. Remove the initial 0 before dialing +32 to fix the vast majority of failed calls.
Here’s a practical example: your contact in Brussels gives you the number 02 123 45 67. From France, dial +32 2 123 45 67. For a Belgian mobile displayed as 0470 12 34 56, dial +32 470 12 34 56. If you keep the zero, the call won’t connect or you’ll get an error message.
To better understand Belgium’s +32 country code and how dialing works, the same principle applies no matter which country you’re calling from.
International dialing prefix: +32 or 0032—which is the difference?
The “+” sign you see before 32 is not just a decorative symbol. On a mobile phone, “+” automatically replaces the international dialing prefix for the country you’re calling from. You don’t need to do anything else: press and hold the 0 key until “+” appears, then enter 32 and the number without its zero.
Things are different when calling from a landline. The “+” is often not recognized. You need to enter your country’s international dialing prefix before 32.
- From France, Switzerland, or most European countries, this prefix is 00. So dial 0032 followed by the Belgian number without its initial zero.
- From the United States or Canada, the prefix is 011. Dial 011 32 followed by the number.
- From Australia, the prefix is 0011. Dial 0011 32 followed by the number.
In other words, +32 and 0032 produce the same result when calling from France. The first format is universal; the second is specific to countries that use 00 as their international dialing prefix.
Belgian area codes: identify the city behind a landline number
Belgian landline numbers have an area code that indicates where the person you’re calling is located. This can help you check that you have the right number before placing the call.
Brussels uses 02, Antwerp 03, Liège 04, and Ghent 09. In international format, these prefixes become +32 2, +32 3, +32 4, and +32 9, respectively (the zero is dropped—that’s the same rule as before).
Have you noticed that Liège’s 04 looks like the beginning of a mobile number? Belgian mobiles start with 046 to 049. The distinction is in the third digit: a number starting with 04x followed by seven digits is a mobile, while a number starting with 04 followed by seven digits is a Liège landline. In practice, if your contact gives you a ten-digit number starting with 047, 048, or 049, it’s a mobile.
Check the format before dialing
A Belgian landline number has nine digits, including the area code. A mobile number has ten. If the number you have doesn’t match these lengths, it’s probably missing a digit or the format is incorrect.
International calls and roaming: two different pricing situations
Calling a Belgian number from France and using your plan in Belgium while traveling are two different things. This is a common source of confusion, and it can be costly.
A call from France to a Belgian number is an international call. The cost depends on your plan. Most home internet and phone packages include unlimited calls to Belgian landlines, but calls from a mobile to Belgium aren’t always covered. The EU regulatory cap on intra-EU calls is a maximum rate, not a guarantee that calls are free or included in your plan.
Roaming is something else. When you’re physically in Belgium with a French plan, EU regulations let you use your plan “like at home.” So calling France from Brussels won’t incur an extra charge. However, with some plans, calling a local Belgian number from Belgium using a French plan is still considered an international call.
Receiving a call from Belgium
If you’re in France and someone in Belgium calls you, you won’t pay anything to receive the call. The caller is charged, not the recipient. This applies to calls received in mainland France.
Network compatibility and VoLTE: a technical detail to keep in mind
One final pitfall concerns the phones themselves. 2G and 3G networks are gradually being switched off in several European countries. In Belgium, mobile networks use GSM 900, GSM 1800, 3G, and 4G.
If your phone is old, check that it supports 4G on European bands. VoLTE (voice calls over 4G) lets you make calls even when 2G or 3G is no longer available. Compatibility depends on the phone model, its software version, and the agreement between your carrier and the local network.
A phone that shows 4G may still be unable to make a voice call if VoLTE isn’t enabled or supported. This issue is most common with models bought outside Europe or devices that haven’t received the latest updates.
To call Belgium without any surprises, getting the number format right is essential: “+” or the international dialing prefix, 32, then the number without its zero. Check the format, distinguish between landlines and mobiles, and review your plan’s international calling terms before you dial.
