Telephone numbers in Belgium facts for kids
When you dial a phone number in Belgium, it usually has nine or ten digits. Belgium uses a special system where the first digit, '0', is always used when you call someone within the country. This '0' is called a trunk prefix.
The international call prefix for Belgium is 00. This is what you dial before the country code if you are calling from another country.
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How Belgian Phone Numbers Work
Belgian phone numbers are set up in a specific way. They always start with a '0' if you are calling from inside Belgium. This '0' helps the phone system know it's a national call.
Calling from Inside Belgium
When you call a friend or family member in Belgium, you will always dial the '0' first. After that, you dial the area code, which can be one or two digits long. Finally, you dial the rest of the phone number.
Calling Belgium from Another Country
If someone from another country wants to call you in Belgium, they need to follow a few steps:
- First, they dial their country's international call prefix. This is usually '00' in Europe or '011' in North America.
- Next, they dial '32'. This is the special country code for Belgium.
- Then, they dial the area code, but without the '0' at the beginning.
- Finally, they dial the rest of your phone number.
Mobile Phone Numbers
Mobile phone numbers in Belgium are easy to spot. They always start with 04xx. After these first four digits, there are six more digits that make up the unique part of the mobile number.
Understanding Area Codes in Belgium
Each city or region in Belgium has its own special area code. This helps phone calls go to the right place. Here are some of the main area codes and the cities they belong to:
- 010: Wavre
- 011: Hasselt
- 012: Tongeren
- 013: Diest
- 014: Geel, Herentals, Turnhout
- 015: Mechelen
- 016: Leuven, Tienen
- 019: Waremme
- 02: Brussels
- 03: Antwerpen, Sint-Niklaas
- 04: Liège, Voeren
- 050: Brugge, Zeebrugge
- 051: Roeselare
- 052: Dendermonde
- 053: Aalst
- 054: Ninove
- 055: Ronse
- 056: Kortrijk, Comines-Warneton, Mouscron
- 057: Ieper
- 058: Veurne
- 059: Oostende
- 060: Chimay
- 061: Bastogne, Libramont-Chevigny
- 063: Arlon
- 064: La Louvière
- 065: Mons
- 067: Nivelles
- 068: Ath
- 069: Tournai
- 071: Charleroi
- 080: Stavelot
- 081: Namur
- 082: Dinant
- 083: Ciney
- 084: Jemelle, Marche-en-Famenne
- 085: Huy
- 086: Durbuy
- 087: Verviers
- 089: Genk
- 09: Gent
Special Phone Numbers
Some phone numbers in Belgium are used for special services:
- 070: These numbers are often used for services like bus information or bank helplines.
- 0800: If you see a number starting with 0800, it means it's a toll-free service. You don't have to pay to call these numbers.
- 090x: Numbers starting with 0900, 0901, 0902, and so on, are premium numbers. Calling these numbers usually costs more money per minute. They are often used for things like contests or special information lines.
