39 is the country calling code for Italy.
Italy is a country on the continent of Europe. The capital city of Italy is Rome.
How to Call Italy from the UK
To call a telephone number in Italy from the UK:
- Dial the international call prefix. For calls from the UK, this is 00 (or '+' from mobile phones).
- Dial the country code for Italy - 39.
- Dial the number of the person/business.
Area Codes and Landlines
In Italy, landline numbers start with a zero. The first digits identify the landline’s geographic location.
The following are the area codes for some of Italy’s most populous cities:
- Genoa – 010
- Milan – 02
- Naples – 081
- Palermo – 091
- Rome – 06
- Turin – 011
When calling a landline in Italy, all digits (including the leading 0) are dialled, even if calling from the same area.
When dialling from another country, include the 0 prefix with the area code.
For example, to call a number in Rome 06XXXXXXX from the UK from overseas:
- Dial the international call prefix (00/+), then the Italian country code (48), and finally the subscriber number (include the leading 0), e.g., 00-39-06XXXXXXX or +39-06XXXXXXX.

Mobile Phone Numbers in Italy
Mobile phone numbers in Italy begin with the digit 3. The vast majority are 10 digits long.
To call an Italian mobile phone from the UK, you need to dial the international access (00/+), followed by the international phone code for Italy (39), and then the customer telephone number. For example: 00-39-3XXXXXXXXX or +39-3XXXXXXXXX.
Fixed Lines – Statistics
According to the World Bank, there were 33.80 fixed-line (landline) phone subscribers per 100 people in 2023.
In 2009 there were 37.80 fixed-line telephone subscriptions for every 100 people living in Italy.
Landline telephone subscription statistics by year for Italy are shown in the table below.
| Year | Landline Telephone Subscriptions (per 100 People) in Italy |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 33.80 |
| 2022 | 33.30 |
| 2021 | 33.50 |
| 2020 | 32.70 |
| 2019 | 32.50 |
| 2018 | 33.80 |
| 2017 | 34.30 |
| 2016 | 33.50 |
| 2015 | 33.40 |
| 2014 | 33.90 |
| 2013 | 34.80 |
| 2012 | 35.90 |
| 2011 | 36.60 |
| 2010 | 37.50 |
| 2009 | 37.80 |
The landline phone is a dying technology, not only in Italy but in most countries around the world.
There are several reasons for the decline in landline usage. Mobile phones are more convenient. They can be used anywhere, whereas landlines can only be used in one location.
Cell phones are more affordable. The cost of landline phone service has been steadily increasing, while the cost of mobile phone service has been decreasing. This has made landline phone service less and less affordable for many people, especially those on a tight budget.
Mobile phones offer more features than landlines and phone coverage is now much better than it was in the past.
All of these factors have contributed to the decline in landline phone usage in Italy. It is unlikely that landline phones will ever make a comeback, and it is probably safe to say that they are on their way out.
Mobile Phones – Statistics
Data from the World Bank shows that in 2022 there were 132.97 mobile phone subscribers for every 100 people living in Italy.
The table below shows how mobile phone subscription statistics have changed in recent years.
| Year | Mobile Phone Subscriptions (per 100 People) in Italy |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 132.97 |
| 2021 | 131.86 |
| 2020 | 130.39 |
| 2019 | 133.07 |
| 2018 | 139.19 |
| 2017 | 139.78 |
| 2016 | 142.98 |
| 2015 | 145.59 |
| 2014 | 149.06 |
| 2013 | 160.60 |
| 2012 | 161.47 |
| 2011 | 160.00 |
| 2010 | 156.57 |
| 2009 | 151.16 |
| 2008 | 152.54 |
Internet Usage – Statistics
According to the World Bank, 87.00 per cent of the population of Italy were active internet users in 2023.
In 2009, only 48.80 per cent of the population were active internet users.
The table below shows how the percentage of the population using the internet in Italy has changed in recent years.
| Year | Individuals Using the Internet in Italy (% of Population) |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 87.00 |
| 2022 | 85.10 |
| 2021 | 74.90 |
| 2020 | 70.50 |
| 2019 | 67.90 |
| 2018 | 74.40 |
| 2017 | 63.10 |
| 2016 | 61.30 |
| 2015 | 58.10 |
| 2014 | 55.60 |
| 2013 | 58.50 |
| 2012 | 55.80 |
| 2011 | 54.40 |
| 2010 | 53.70 |
| 2009 | 48.80 |
There are several reasons why internet usage has grown in Italy. One is the increasing availability of high-speed internet connections. Another is the growing number of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets that can connect to the internet.
In 2021, the Italian government launched a multi-billion euro fund which aims to provide gigabit internet services throughout the country.
Time Difference
When calling Italy from the UK, please note the time difference between the United Kingdom and Italy.
The local time in Italy is now . The date is .
The local time in the UK is now . The date is .
The time difference between Italy and UK (United Kingdom) is 1 hour.
Exchange Rate
The currency used in Italy is the euro (EUR).
The current exchange rates between the euro and the British pound (EUR to GBP, GBP to EUR) are:
- 1 euro (EUR) = 0.846 GBP
- 1 British pound (GBP) = 1.182 EUR
Exchange rates on this page were last updated on .
Italy – Facts and Figures
Italy is a country located in Southern Europe.
Mainland Italy is a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea. To the north, it borders France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. The independent countries of San Marino and Vatican City are enclaves within Italy, while Campione d’Italia is an Italian exclave in Switzerland.
It also comprises over 400 islands including Sicily and Sardinia.
Italy is a very mountainous country, with the Alps running through the north and the Apennines through the centre. The country also has several active volcanoes, including Mount Vesuvius, which is located near Naples.
Rome is the country’s capital and most populous city. Other large cities include Milan, Naples, Turin, Palermo, and Genoa.
Italy is home to many iconic landmarks and attractions, such as the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the canals of Venice. The country is also renowned for its food, wine, and fashion.
Useful information about Italy:
- Two-letter Country Code (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2): IT
- Three-letter Country Code (ISO 3166-1 alpha-3): ITA
- Region: Europe
- Sub-region: Southern Europe
- Capital: Rome
- Area: 301,336 square km
- Language(s): Italian
- Borders: Austria, France, San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland, Holy See (Vatican City State)
According to the World Bank, in 2023 the population of Italy was 58,761,146.
The total population by year for Italy is shown in the table below.
| Year | Total Population of Italy |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 58,761,146 |
| 2022 | 58,940,425 |
| 2021 | 59,133,173 |
| 2020 | 59,438,851 |
| 2019 | 59,729,081 |
| 2018 | 60,421,760 |
| 2017 | 60,536,709 |
| 2016 | 60,627,498 |
| 2015 | 60,730,582 |
| 2014 | 60,789,140 |
| 2013 | 60,233,948 |
| 2012 | 59,539,717 |
| 2011 | 59,379,449 |
| 2010 | 59,277,417 |
| 2009 | 59,095,365 |
Map of Italy
The location of Italy is shown on the map below.
