Updated : November 13, 2025The call won’t go through. You’ve checked the number twice, and it’s exactly what your Belgian contact sent you. You try again. Nothing.
To call Belgium from the US, dial 011 (US exit code), 32 (Belgium country code), then the area code without the leading 0, followed by the local number. Most errors happen because the European dialing format differs from what US callers expect. Four small mistakes cause most Belgium calls to fail before they even ring.
What are the Common Mistakes When Calling Belgium?
Most callers face simple dialing errors like missing exit codes or keeping Belgium’s local “0” that stop calls from connecting before they even ring.
1. Dropping the Leading “0” in Belgium Area Codes
Belgium uses trunk codes. Every number inside Belgium starts with “0”. When you’re calling from outside Belgium, you drop that “0”.
A Brussels landline is 02 555 1212 if you’re in Belgium. From the US, you dial 011-32-2-555-1212. See the difference? No “0” before the “2”.
Your Antwerp contact gives you 03 234 5678. You dial 011-32-3-234-5678 from the US.
The problem is how Belgium writes numbers. They keep the “0” on business cards and websites because that’s how locals dial. Your job is to spot it and remove it.
Mobile numbers work the same way. A Belgian mobile shows as 0478 123 456 inside Belgium. From the US cell phone, it’s 011-32-478-123-456.
- See a "0" at the start of a Belgian number? Drop it after the country code when you're calling internationally.
2. Forgetting to Dial the US Exit Code
Every country has an exit code. It tells your phone network you’re making an international call. The US exit code is 011. Belgium’s is 00.
When you call Belgium from the USA, start with 011. Skip it, and your call goes nowhere. Your phone thinks you’re trying to dial some weird US number that doesn’t exist.
- 011 (US exit) + 32 (Belgium country code) + area code minus the 0 + local number.
- Your Ghent supplier's number is 09 876 5432. You dial 011-32-9-876-5432.
Some phone systems let you use “+” instead of 011. Both work. The “+” is shorthand for “whatever exit code applies to where I’m calling from.” On a mobile, hold the “0” key to get the “+”.
Not all business phone systems handle this automatically. Check your settings before you assume it does.
3. Issues When Calling Toll-Free or Non-Geographic Numbers
Belgian toll-free numbers start with 0800. They’re free inside Belgium. From the US? They usually don’t work at all.
Toll-free numbers only exist on Belgium’s internal network. They’re not set up for international calls. Even if you manage to connect, you’ll pay international rates instead of zero.
Non-geographic numbers (078X, 070X) cause similar issues. These are service numbers not tied to a physical location. Many carriers won’t connect them from overseas.
- Ask your Belgian contact for a regular landline or mobile number. If they only give you toll-free, push back and ask for an alternative that international callers can use.
4. Blocked Overseas Calling
Your phone carrier might have international calling turned off by default. This is very common with corporate plans and some consumer mobile services.
Call your carrier. Ask if international calling is active on your line. If not, they’ll flip the switch. Usually takes a few minutes, though some carriers want a deposit or credit check first.
Corporate phone systems often lock down international dialing. Only certain extensions can do it, or you need an approval code. Talk to your IT department. They can whitelist Belgium (country code 32) or give your extension full international access.
VoIP phone systems are very popular. Some include international calling. Others charge per minute or make you buy add-ons. If you’re using a virtual phone number from a service provider like CallHippo, international calling to Belgium comes with standard plans at clear per-minute rates.
Test it before you actually need it. Make a test call to a Belgian number during your work hours. Make sure it connects and the audio quality is good enough for business.
: How to Call Vietnam from the US?What is the Best Time to Call Belgium?
Belgium follows Central European Time (CET), so the best time to call from the US is during your early morning hours when Belgian businesses are still open.
- Belgium is 6 hours ahead of Eastern, 7 hours ahead of Central, 8 hours ahead of Mountain, and 9 hours ahead of Pacific.
- 9 AM in New York? 3 PM in Brussels.
- 9 AM in Los Angeles? 6 PM in Brussels.
The overlap for business calls is tight. The East Coast has a 9 AM to noon window before Belgium’s workday ends at 6 PM (which is noon Eastern). West Coast businesses barely have any overlap with normal Belgian office hours. Belgian companies stick to traditional hours: 9 AM to 5 or 6 PM, Monday through Friday. Lunch runs from noon to 1 PM or 1:30 PM. Don’t schedule calls during lunch. It won’t go over well.
Next, watch for daylight saving time differences. Both the US and Belgium do it, but on different dates. In March and late October/early November, the time gap shifts by an hour for a few weeks. Double-check the current difference before important calls.
CallHippo’s timezone dialing handles DST timezone changes automatically. When you schedule calls through the platform, it adjusts for daylight saving time shifts between the US and Belgium, so you don’t have to manually calculate the hour difference during those tricky transition weeks.
- Call Belgium early in your morning. A 9 AM New York call hits Belgium at 3 PM. That gives you three hours before they leave. From California, you're dialing at 6 AM Pacific to catch them at 3 PM CET.
Using CallHippo to Call Belgium Seamlessly
CallHippo simplifies international calling by letting you reach Belgium at local rates with clear call quality and easy setup for global teams.
Regular business phone systems make international calling both expensive and annoying. You’re tracking per-minute costs, dealing with carrier blocks, and crossing your fingers that call quality holds up. CallHippo handles it differently. It’s cloud-based, so international calls work like local ones. Here’s the actual process:
Setting Up Takes 3 Minutes
- Sign up at CallHippo.
- Log in to web.callhippo.com/dashboard.
- Click “Add Number” (choose Belgium for a local virtual number or keep your US number).
- Pick your plan: Basic ($0/user/month), Starter ($18/user/month), Professional ($30/user/month), or Ultimate ($42/user/month).
- Add team members.
Making Calls to Belgium from the Dashboard
- Open your CallHippo dashboard.
- Find the dialer on the left side.
- Type the Belgian number (CallHippo formats it automatically).
- Check the Belgium time zone display.
- Click, call, or press enter.
You’ll see active calls in real-time with duration and quality metrics.
Click-to-Call from Anywhere
Install the CallHippo Chrome extension. Belgian phone numbers on websites, emails, or your CRM become clickable. One click starts the call: no copying numbers.
- For teams making lots of Belgium calls CallHippo's power dialer cuts out manual work.Upload a list of Belgian contacts. The system dials them one after another. When someone answers, it connects to your next available person.
FAQs
1. Can I Use My US Mobile for Belgium Numbers?
Yes, but it’ll cost you. Your carrier charges international roaming rates, usually $1 to $3 per minute. A 30-minute call runs $30 to $90.
Better option: VoIP apps. Download CallHippo, Skype, or WhatsApp. Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile data. Now you’re calling Belgium at internet rates, not cellular rates.
2. How Many Digits is a Belgian Mobile Number?
Belgian mobile numbers have 10 digits total when you include the leading “0”. Format is 04XX XXX XXX.
Breaking it down: First digit is always 0 (trunk code you drop for international calls). The second digit is always 4 (shows it’s mobile). The next two digits identify the carrier: 047 for Proximus, 048 for Base, 049 for Orange.
3. What is the Cheapest Way to Call Belgium from the US?
VoIP services win on price. CallHippo charges $0.02 to $0.05 per minute for Belgium. You pay monthly (starting at around $18 per user) but get unlimited US/Canada calling plus cheap international rates. You also get call management features that save way more time than the subscription costs. Call rates, connection quality, and availability may vary by carrier or VoIP provider. Always confirm the latest international calling rates and policies with your telecom provider before placing international calls.
Published : November 11, 2025
Priya Naha is an experienced technical content writer who focuses on VoIP and telephony technologies. Her expertise in telecommunication and content marketing allows her to simplify complex topics with real-world knowledge, making her writing relatable, informative, and easy-to-read. Her direct involvement with VoIP products and solutions makes her a reliable voice in the field.
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