What is the country code for Portugal?

Portugal's country code is 351. When calling from Switzerland, you dial 00 + 351 + the local 9-digit number.

Do I need to dial an area code before the number?

No. Portuguese area codes (like 21 for Lisbon or 22 for Porto) are part of the 9-digit local number, not separate. Simply dial all 9 digits after the country code.

What's the difference between calling a mobile and a landline in Portugal?

Mobile numbers start with 91–99, while landlines start with area codes like 21, 22, or 25. Both use the same 9-digit format. Some providers may charge differently for mobile calls; confirm your rate before dialing.

How much does it cost to call Portugal from Switzerland?

With Sayfone, calls to Portugal start at 0.98¢/min with transparent per-minute pricing. You pay only for the time you are connected; transparent pricing or setup charges.

Why do some Portuguese numbers have a leading zero?

The leading zero is used for domestic calls within Portugal only. For international calls from Switzerland, drop the leading zero and dial the remaining 9 digits.

Can I call Portuguese mobiles from my Swiss landline?

Yes. Use the same dialing sequence: 00 + 351 + the 9-digit mobile number. Your provider may charge a mobile rate instead of a landline rate.

What time is it in Portugal when it is noon in Switzerland?

Portugal is 1 hour behind Switzerland year-round. When it is 12:00 noon in Switzerland, it is 11:00 in Portugal. Both countries observe daylight saving time on the same dates.

Quick Start

How to Call Portugal from Switzerland

From Switzerland, dial 00 + 351 + Portuguese number to reach landlines and mobiles. Transparent per-minute rates start at 0.98¢/min with Sayfone.

Start calling

Cost tools

🇨🇭From Switzerland

To Portugal🇵🇹

$0.98

Per minute

351

Country code

Call quality

Landline rate

$0.98/min

Mobile rate

$0.98/min

Same per-minute Sayfone rate for landline and mobile.

Average call quality

Steps at a glance

Enter 00 (international prefix from Switzerland)
Add 351 (Portugal country code)
Dial the local number (9 digits)

Sources

1
ITU Designation: Portugal Country Code 351

DIALING GUIDE

Step-by-Step: Calling Portugal from Switzerland

Follow these steps to connect any Portuguese landline or mobile number from your Swiss phone.

1
Dial the international prefix
From any Swiss phone, start with 00 (the international dialing prefix for Switzerland).
```
00
```
2
Enter Portugal's country code
Type 351, which is Portugal's international country code.
```
00 351
```
3
Dial the local number
Add the 9-digit Portuguese number. Landlines and mobiles both use the same format.
```
00 351 21 123 4567 (Lisbon landline) or 00 351 91 123 4567 (mobile)
```
Wait for connection
The call will route through international networks. Most calls connect within a few seconds.

Dialing format reference

351

Use these patterns when entering a full international number to 351.

Mobile

9 digits (e.g., 91 123 4567)

Landline

9 digits (e.g., 21 123 4567 for Lisbon, 22 123 4567 for Porto)

00 351 21 123 4567
00 351 22 567 8901
00 351 91 234 5678
00 351 96 890 1234

Major city area codes

Lisbon21

Porto22

Covilhã27

Braga25

Sources

DIALING RULES

Important Dialing Rules for Portugal

Follow these rules to ensure your call connects successfully and charges correctly.

Always use the 00 prefix from Switzerland

Switzerland requires the 00 prefix for all international calls. Do not use + or any other format when dialing from a Swiss landline or traditional phone.

Include all 9 digits of the Portuguese number

Portuguese local numbers are always 9 digits long. Do not drop the leading digit or area code when calling internationally.

No leading zero on the local number

When you see a Portuguese number written with a leading 0, drop it. The leading 0 is only used for domestic calls within Portugal. For international calls, use the 9-digit number without the leading 0.

Mobile and landline charges may differ

Calls to Portuguese mobiles (91–99 prefixes) may be charged at the mobile rate. Confirm your call type before dialing to understand the expected charge.

BEST TIMES TO CALL

Timing Tips for Calling Portugal

Maximize connection quality and respect business hours with these timing guidelines.

Time & windows

Portugal

UTC+0 (Winter) / UTC+1 (Summer)

Uses European Central Time

Switzerland

UTC+1 (Winter) / UTC+2 (Summer)

Always 1 hour ahead of Portugal

🇨🇭Best time to call (business hours)

09:00–17:00 Portugal time (10:00–18:00 Switzerland time)Ideal for reaching offices and businesses. Most professionals are available during these hours.

🇨🇭Good time to call (extended hours)

08:00–19:00 Portugal time (09:00–20:00 Switzerland time)Reasonable for personal calls; many people are still around, though outside typical office hours.

🇨🇭Avoid calling

23:00–07:00 Portugal time (00:00–08:00 Switzerland time)Early morning and late night in Portugal; likely to disturb recipients.

Calling tips

Both countries observe daylight saving time on the same dates, so the 1-hour difference is consistent year-round.
Portuguese businesses typically close for lunch between 12:30 and 14:00; mid-morning or mid-afternoon calls are more reliable.
Friday afternoons see earlier closures; aim for early-week calls for business matters.
Transparent per-minute rates mean you pay only for connected time—no hidden setup or connection charges.

Business etiquette

Always introduce yourself with your full name and organization when calling a business.
Portuguese professionals may speak English, but starting in Portuguese (or asking permission to continue in English) is respectful.
Confirm the recipient's preferred contact method before adding them to a callback list.
Personal calls are common in the late evening (after 19:00) but always confirm it is a good time to talk.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Troubleshooting & Call Restrictions

Resolve common calling issues and understand any limitations when calling Portugal from Switzerland.

Call drops or poor audio

If the line cuts out, try calling again using the same number. Check your internet or phone signal if using a data-based service. Network congestion during peak hours (17:00–20:00 Switzerland time) may occasionally affect call quality.

Number format errors

Verify you've entered exactly 9 digits for the Portuguese number, with no leading 0. If you copied a Portuguese number from a website or directory and it shows a leading 0, remove it before dialing.

Special numbers may not work

Some special numbers (emergency services, toll-free, or premium numbers) may not connect from abroad or may incur additional charges. Stick to regular landlines and mobile numbers for standard calling.

No answer or wrong number

Always double-check the number before dialing. Portuguese phone books and official directories (e.g., CTT postal service) can help verify numbers. If you reach a wrong number, politely disconnect and re-verify the digits.

Savings

See what you could save

Adjust the tools below to compare Sayfone with typical retail pricing for calls to Portugal. Start with one call, then layer on monthly volume to see the bigger picture.

How to use these tools

Sayfone uses your live rate for calls to Portugal — the same basis as the rest of this page.
First, estimate savings on a single call length. Then, model a full month of minutes versus typical retail benchmarks.
Retail competitor rows are illustrative — not a quote from any carrier.