No Trunk Prefix 0
Portugal dropped its domestic trunk prefix '0' in 1999. When dialing from abroad, never insert a 0 between the country code (+351) and the local number. Dial +351 followed directly by the 9-digit number.
Quick Answer
To call Portugal from Sao Tome and Principe, dial 00 + 351 + the 9-digit Portuguese number. On mobile, use +351 followed by the number. Portuguese landlines start with 2 (e.g., 21 for Lisbon) and mobiles start with 9 (e.g., 91, 92, 93, 96). There is no trunk prefix 0 after the country code.
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+351
Country code
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Call quality
Landline rate
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Mobile rate
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Same per-minute Sayfone rate for landline and mobile.
Average call quality
Sao Tome and Principe and Portugal share deep historical, linguistic, and family ties. With over half of Sao Tome's diaspora living in Portugal, this is the most important international calling corridor for Sรฃo Tomรฉ and Prรญncipe. Sayfone lets you call Portugal for $0.98/min โ right from your browser.
Steps at a glance
Sources
Source for STP exit code 00
Source for Portugal country code +351 and 9-digit numbering plan
DIALING GUIDE
Follow these steps to connect with landline or mobile numbers in Portugal from Sao Tome and Principe.
From a landline in Sao Tome and Principe, dial 00 to access the international network. From a mobile phone, you can press and hold 0 to produce the + symbol, which replaces the exit code.
00 or +
Immediately after the exit code (or +), dial 351 โ Portugal's international country code.
00 351 or +351
Enter the complete 9-digit Portuguese phone number. For landlines, this begins with 2 (e.g., 21 for Lisbon, 22 for Porto). For mobiles, it begins with 9 (common prefixes: 91, 92, 93, 96). Do not add a leading 0 โ Portugal eliminated its trunk prefix in 1999.
00 351 21 234 5678 (Lisbon landline) or +351 912 345 678 (mobile)
The call will route through the international network. You should hear a ringing tone within a few seconds. If the call does not connect, double-check the number format โ the most common mistake is adding a 0 after the country code.
Dialing format reference
+351
Use these patterns when entering a full international number to +351.
Mobile
+351 9XX XXX XXX
Landline
+351 2X XXX XXXX
Major city area codes
Sources
Confirms closed 9-digit plan and no trunk prefix since 1999
Confirms STP exit code is 00 per ITU data
Detailed Portugal dialing format and area code reference
IMPORTANT RULES
Keep these rules in mind to avoid failed connections and unexpected charges when calling Portugal from Sao Tome and Principe.
Portugal dropped its domestic trunk prefix '0' in 1999. When dialing from abroad, never insert a 0 between the country code (+351) and the local number. Dial +351 followed directly by the 9-digit number.
Every Portuguese phone number โ landline or mobile โ is exactly 9 digits long (after the +351 country code). If the number you have is shorter or longer, verify it before dialing.
Landline numbers begin with 2. The first two or three digits identify the geographic area: 21 = Lisbon, 22 = Porto, 239 = Coimbra, 289 = Faro, and so on. The area code is part of the 9-digit number.
Portuguese mobile numbers start with 9. Common mobile prefixes include 91, 92, 93, and 96. Due to number portability, the prefix does not guarantee a specific carrier.
Portuguese toll-free (800), shared-cost (808), and premium-rate (707) numbers generally do not work when dialed from outside Portugal or may be charged differently. Request a geographic alternative number if needed.
When calling internationally from Sao Tome and Principe, the exit code is 00. On mobile phones, you can substitute this with the + symbol for convenience.
TIMING & TIPS
Sao Tome and Principe and Portugal share the same base time zone (UTC+0 / WET), but Portugal observes daylight saving time in summer (UTC+1). Here's how to time your calls well.
Since both countries share Portuguese as the official language, language barriers are not a concern. Focus on timing your call to match the recipient's availability.
Winter (Nov โ Mar)
Same time
STP and Portugal mainland are both on UTC+0 (no time difference)
Summer (Apr โ Oct)
Portugal is 1 hour ahead
Portugal moves to WEST (UTC+1) during daylight saving time
Sources
Portugal mainland WET/WEST timezone reference
TROUBLESHOOTING
If your call to Portugal isn't connecting, check these common problems and solutions.
The most common cause is including a trunk prefix 0 after dialing +351. Portugal does not use a domestic trunk 0 for international calls. Remove any 0 between the country code and the local number.
Portuguese numbers are exactly 9 digits after the country code. If your number is shorter or longer, verify it with the recipient. Older number formats may be outdated since Portugal's numbering changed in 1999.
Numbers beginning with 800 (toll-free), 808 (shared-cost), or 707 (premium) often cannot be reached from outside Portugal. Ask the recipient for a geographic number starting with 2 instead.
International call quality from Sao Tome and Principe can vary depending on network conditions. If you experience static or dropouts, try calling again at a different time or use a browser-based calling service like Sayfone over a stable internet connection.
Traditional carrier rates for international calls from STP can be expensive. Consider using Sayfone at $0.98/min for calls to Portugal โ no SIM card or app install required.
Sources
Common reasons international calls fail
Savings
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Based on 220 min/month
Before you go
Open the full Sao Tome and Principe to Portugal guide with rates and tools, or check what it costs to call Portugal.
Sao Tome and Principe to Portugal calling guide
Per-minute rates, savings calculator, and what to expect on this route.
What it costs to call Portugal
See Sayfoneโs per-minute rate for Portugal and how it compares before you dial.
Route guides from Sao Tome and Principe
FAQ
Answers to common questions about dialing Portugal from Sao Tome and Principe, including codes, costs, and tips.
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