How to Call the Netherlands from the US? 31 Country Code

Author: Priya Naha

Updated : October 30, 2025

Dutch customers don’t answer foreign numbers. Your team pays $2-3 per minute for calls that go to voicemail. Competitors with Amsterdam area codes close deals while you’re stuck explaining why your number starts with +1.

The fix isn’t better sales scripts; it’s infrastructure. A Netherlands virtual number gives you a local 020 area code through your internet connection. Starting costs drop 90% compared to traditional carriers, and Dutch contacts actually answer. Your remote team handles everything from the US.

How to Call the Netherlands from the US?

Calling the Netherlands from the US requires three components: the US exit code (011), the 31 country code, and the local number with its area code.

The Netherlands dialing code structure looks like this:

011 + 31 + [area code] + [local number]

Here’s the catch most people miss: Dutch area codes include a leading zero for domestic calls. Drop this zero when calling internationally. Amsterdam’s area code is 020 for local calls, but becomes 20 for international calls.

The Netherlands country code (31) stays constant. The area code changes based on the city. The local phone number typically contains 6-7 digits.

Calling Landlines vs. Mobile Phones

Dutch phone numbers follow distinct patterns. Landlines start with area codes. Cell phone numbers always begin with 6. This difference matters for billing and connection quality.

How To Call A Landline In Amsterdam?

Amsterdam uses area code 020 for domestic calls. For international calls from the US, the complete sequence becomes:

011-31-20-[6-7 digit number]

Drop the leading zero from 020. Your final dial string uses only 20.

Rotterdam follows the same pattern but with area code 10. The Hague uses 70. Utrecht uses 30. Each major city has its own code.

A software company in Amsterdam lists its number as (020) 555-7890 on its website. From the US, you dial: 011-31-20-555-7890.

How to Call a Dutch Mobile Number?

Mobile numbers in the Netherlands always start with 6 and contain 8 digits total. The format is 06-XXXX-XXXX for domestic use.

When calling from the US, remove the leading zero:

011-31-6-[8 digit number]

Mobile calls often cost more than landlines. Check your carrier’s rate sheet before dialing. Some US plans charge $1.50+ per minute for calls to Dutch mobiles versus $0.50 for landlines.

Netherlands Area Codes

The 31 country code identifies the Netherlands in the international telephone network. Every call into the country requires this prefix after the exit code. Area codes within the Netherlands range from 2 to 3 digits:

Some area codes like Rotterdam and Amsterdam use just 2 digits (10 and 20). Others like Ede require 3 digits (318). Always verify the specific code for your target city before dialing.

The Amsterdam area code (20) is the most frequently dialed from the US due to business concentration. Financial services, tech startups, and logistics companies cluster in the Amsterdam region.

2 Methods For Calling The Netherlands From The US

Traditional carriers and modern VoIP services both connect calls to the Netherlands. Each method serves different business needs.

1. Using VoIP Services

VoIP routes calls through internet connections instead of phone lines. This cuts costs by 70-85% compared to traditional carriers for businesses with moderate to high call volumes.

CallHippo provides virtual phone numbers with 31 country code prefixes. Your team can make and receive calls as if you’re operating from the Netherlands. No physical office required.

Setup takes 10 minutes:

1. Create a CallHippo account.
2. Choose a Netherlands virtual number with your preferred area code.
3. Install the desktop or mobile app.
4. Start dialing Dutch numbers directly.

VoIP requires a stable internet. A connection below 1 Mbps causes audio drops and lag. Test your network speed before important calls. Use Ethernet cables instead of Wi-Fi when possible.

CallHippo includes call recording, analytics, and CRM integration. Track which team members call the Netherlands most frequently. Review conversations for quality assurance. Pull call data into Salesforce or HubSpot automatically.

Some other VoIP options include Skype for Business, Zoom Phone, and RingCentral. Compare pricing based on your call volume. Some charge per minute while others offer unlimited international calling for flat monthly fees.

2. Using International Calling Cards

Calling cards provide prepaid minutes for international calls. You dial an access number, enter a PIN, then dial your destination number.

Cards work on any phone: mobile, landline, or payphone. No internet connection required. No app downloads. No technical setup. Purchase a card with Netherlands coverage. Major retailers sell them in denominations from $10 to $50.

Online providers like Boss Revolution and Rebtel offer digital cards with instant delivery.

Here is the process:

1. Buy a card with Netherlands calling included.
2. Dial the card’s access number (usually toll-free).
3. Enter your PIN when prompted.
4. Dial 31 + area code + local number.
5. Call connects.

Check the rate before purchasing. Some cards advertise low rates but add connection fees of $0.50-$1.00 per call. A card promising $0.05 per minute with a $0.75 connection fee actually costs $0.20 per minute for a 5-minute call.

Cards expire fast, so read the terms carefully. Some expire 90 days after first use. Others expire 30 days after purchase, regardless of usage. Budget cards often expire faster. Quality varies significantly. Premium cards route calls through reliable networks. Budget cards use congested routes, causing static and delays. Test with a short call before buying large denominations.

International calling cards work well for occasional calls. For regular business communication, VoIP services provide better value and features.

How Much Does it Cost to Call Netherlands from US?

Traditional US carriers charge between $1.00-$3.00 per minute for calls to the Netherlands. A 30-minute business call can cost anywhere from $30-$90, depending on your carrier and plan.

Most major carriers offer two pricing tiers:

Standard rates (no international plan):

• Typically $2.00-$3.00 per minute
• Applies to both landlines and mobiles
• No monthly fees, but the highest per-minute costs

International add-on plans:

• Monthly fee of $10-$15
• Reduced rates of $0.50-$1.00 per minute for landlines
• Mobile rates are often 2-3x higher than landlines
• Better value if you make regular international calls

VoIP services change the cost structure completely:

Subscription-based VoIP:

• Monthly fees: $18-$30 per user
• Includes virtual numbers and calling features
• Predictable costs regardless of call volume
• Best for teams making frequent calls

Pay-as-you-go VoIP:

• No monthly fees
• Rates: $0.02-$0.05 per minute for the Netherlands
• Billed per second, not per minute
• Better for occasional callers

Example cost comparison for a business making 100 minutes of monthly calls:

• Traditional carrier with international plan: $50-$100/month
• VoIP subscription service: $20-$30/month per user
• Pay-as-you-go VoIP: $2-$5/month
• Annual savings with VoIP: $300-$900 per user

The hidden costs add up quickly with traditional carriers. Most rounds call up to the next full minute. A 61-second call gets billed as 2 minutes. VoIP services typically bill per second, so you pay for exactly what you use.

• Mobile calls cost more with traditional carriers, often two to three times higher than landlines.
• VoIP services usually charge the same rate for Dutch landlines and mobile numbers.
• Amsterdam is six hours ahead of Eastern Time. If you call during U.S. business hours (9 AM–5 PM ET), you’re reaching Dutch contacts between 3 PM and 11 PM.
•  Some carriers charge higher rates for evening calls, so check your provider’s rate sheet.

Tips to Save Money and Avoid Mistakes

Businesses lose thousands annually on avoidable international calling mistakes. These specific tactics cut costs without compromising call quality.

1. Check Your Carrier’s International Rates

Most companies never review their carrier contracts. Default international rates can be 10x higher than negotiated rates. Pull your last 3 months of phone bills. Identify all calls to the Netherlands. Calculate total costs. Then call your carrier’s business department.

Carriers often provide better rates to businesses making regular international calls. They won’t offer these rates unless you ask. Document everything in writing. Verbal promises from phone representatives don’t guarantee billing adjustments. Request email confirmation of new rates before hanging up.

Check if your carrier bundles international minutes. Some plans include 500-1000 international minutes monthly. These bundled minutes go unused by businesses that don’t track their usage. Review rates quarterly. Carriers adjust pricing based on wholesale costs. A rate that made sense in January might be overpriced by April.

2. Use VoIP Services Like CallHippo

VoIP eliminates per-minute charges through subscription models. Pay $16-25 per user monthly, regardless of call volume. CallHippo specializes in business communication. Unlike consumer apps, it includes features businesses actually need:

• Call recording for compliance and training
• IVR systems that route calls based on language preference
• Analytics showing call duration, outcomes, and team performance
• CRM integration that logs calls automatically in Salesforce or Pipedrive
• Multiple phone numbers in different countries without physical presence

Set up a Netherlands virtual number through CallHippo. Your Dutch clients see a local number when you call. This increases answer rates compared to US numbers showing on the caller ID.

VoIP quality depends on the internet speed. Run a speed test at speedtest.net. You need a minimum of 1 Mbps upload speed per concurrent call.

Use QoS (Quality of Service) settings on your router. This prioritizes VoIP traffic over other internet usage. Your calls stay clear even when someone’s downloading large files. Test call quality during a trial period. Make 20-30 calls to the Netherlands before committing to annual plans. Check audio clarity, connection delays, and dropped call rates.

Connect Locally, Grow Globally

Get your Amsterdam 020 virtual number and boost answer rates instantly with CallHippo.

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3. Avoid Calling During Peak Hours

Peak hours in the Netherlands run from 9 AM to 5 PM Central European Time. Many VoIP and traditional carriers charge more during these windows. Convert time zones before scheduling calls:

• 9 AM Amsterdam = 3 AM Eastern / 12 AM Pacific
• 5 PM Amsterdam = 11 AM Eastern / 8 AM Pacific

The best time for US-based callers: 3 AM – 9 AM Eastern Time reaches Dutch contacts between 9 AM – 3 PM their time. Carriers often classify this as off-peak for US callers, reducing rates. Check your specific carrier’s peak hour definitions. Some consider time zones at the origin (US). Others use the destination (Netherlands) time zones. This difference affects your bill significantly.

Weekend calls cost less with most carriers. If your Dutch contacts accept weekend communication, schedule non-urgent calls for Saturdays or Sundays. Bulk scheduling reduces costs. Instead of making 10 separate calls throughout the week, schedule them all within a 2-hour window during off-peak hours.

4. Be Aware of Time Zone Differences

The Netherlands operates on Central European Time (CET), 6 hours ahead of Eastern Time and 9 hours ahead of Pacific Time.

A better approach: Schedule calls between 9 AM – 11 AM Eastern. This hits 3 PM – 5 PM in the Netherlands, catching people before end-of-day.

The Netherlands observes Daylight Saving Time (DST), and its switch dates differ from those in the US. For about 2–3 weeks each year, the time difference shifts by one hour.

• Late March: The Netherlands moves from UTC+1 to UTC+2 (Central European Summer Time), while the US is still on standard time.
• Late October: The US returns to standard time before the Netherlands does, briefly changing the time gap again.

UTC stands for Coordinated Universal Time, the global time standard used to compare time zones worldwide.

5. Learn Basic Dutch Greetings For Business Calls

English is widely spoken in Dutch business settings. Most professionals speak it fluently. Starting with Dutch greetings still matters.

This 2-second gesture shows cultural respect. Dutch business culture values directness but appreciates the effort to acknowledge their language. When addressing someone, use “Meneer” (muh-NAIR) for Mr. or “Mevrouw” (muh-FROW) for Ms., followed by their last name. First names come after relationship establishment.

Automating Communication Workflows for Netherlands-Based Clients 

Manual calling doesn’t scale. A team handling 50+ Dutch contacts monthly needs automation to maintain quality and efficiency.

1. Use IVR and Call Routing For Multi-language Support

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems answer calls automatically and route them based on the caller’s needs. This matters for businesses supporting both English and Dutch-speaking contacts.

Set up a basic IVR:

1. Caller dials your Netherlands virtual number
2. Recording plays: “For English, press 1. Voor Nederlands, druk op 2.”
3. System routes to the appropriate language-speaking team member
4. Call connects without manual intervention

Advanced routing goes beyond language:

Route calls based on time zones. Dutch calls arriving at 9 AM CET go to your early shift team. Calls at 5 PM CET route to late shift specialists. Route by customer type. Enterprise clients get senior account managers. SMB clients reach general support. The IVR asks callers to enter their customer ID, then routes accordingly.

Skills-based routing improves first-call resolution. Your IVR asks: “Press 1 for technical support, 2 for billing questions, 3 for sales inquiries.” Callers reach specialists immediately instead of bouncing between departments.

Set up overflow routing. When your primary Dutch-speaking agent is on another call, IVR holds the caller with an estimated wait time or routes to a secondary agent. Test IVR flows monthly. Broken menu options frustrate callers.

2. Automate Follow-Ups Through CRM Integrations

Every call to a Dutch contact should be logged automatically in your CRM. Manual data entry fails most of the time. Reps forget details, misspell names, or skip logging entirely. CallHippo integrates with major CRMs:

• Salesforce
• HubSpot
• Pipedrive
• ZoHo
• Freshworks

Connect once, then every call logs automatically with:

• Date and time
• Duration
• Recording (if enabled)
• Outcome tags
• Notes entered during the call

Set up automated follow-up sequences: After a call with a Dutch prospect, your CRM automatically:

1. Sends a thank-you email within 2 hours
2. Schedules a task for a follow-up call in 3 days
3. Adds prospect to nurture email sequence
4. Notifies the account manager if the deal value exceeds $50,000

These sequences run without human intervention. Your team focuses on conversations instead of administrative tasks. Use call outcomes to trigger specific actions.

Set up alerts for high-priority Dutch contacts.

3. Use WhatsApp Business API for Post-Call Engagement

Most Dutch professionals use WhatsApp daily. SMS feels outdated. Email gets buried. WhatsApp messages get read within minutes. CallHippo integrates the WhatsApp Business API. After phone calls, continue conversations via WhatsApp without switching platforms.

Templates ensure consistency across your team. New reps send professional messages without crafting each one from scratch. WhatsApp Business API enables automated notifications:

These messages go directly to Dutch customers’ phones. Use WhatsApp for quick clarifications. Instead of scheduling another 20-minute call to confirm a delivery date, send a WhatsApp: “Can we confirm delivery for April 15th?” Response arrives in minutes.

WhatsApp Business API requires approval from Meta. The process takes 1-2 weeks. CallHippo handles technical setup. You provide business verification documents and a use case description.

Take Action Today

Set up a free CallHippo trial. Add a Netherlands virtual number with Amsterdam area code 20. Make your first test call to verify audio quality and connection stability. This takes 15 minutes and costs nothing.

Most businesses delay this setup for weeks. They continue overpaying traditional carriers while missing calls from Dutch contacts who don’t recognize US numbers. The companies that act immediately save money from day one and improve international communication quality.

FAQs

1. How to call Amsterdam from the US?

Dial 011-31-20 followed by the 6-7 digit local number. Drop the leading zero from Amsterdam’s area code (020 becomes 20). Example: To reach 020-555-1234, dial 011-31-20-555-1234.

2. What is the Amsterdam area code?

Amsterdam’s area code is 20 for international calls (shown as 020 for domestic calls). This applies to Amsterdam proper and Amsterdam-Zuidoost.

3. Can I call a Dutch WhatsApp number from the US?

Yes. WhatsApp uses internet connections, not phone networks. Add the contact using full international format (+31-6-XXXXXXXX), then call or message through WhatsApp. Standard WhatsApp voice calls are free over WiFi or data connections.

4. Do US toll-free numbers work in the Netherlands?

No. US toll-free numbers (800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, 833) don’t connect from international locations. Dutch callers reaching US businesses need regular US numbers. Consider getting a Netherlands virtual number with CallHippo so Dutch clients can call you locally.

Published : October 30, 2025

Priya Naha

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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