A Portuguese phone number has nine digits. Mobile numbers start with 9, typically 91, 92, 93 or 96, and landlines start with 2, such as 21 for Lisbon or 22 for Porto. Internationally you put +351 in front and change nothing else: Portugal has no leading 0 to drop.
How a Portuguese number is built (+351, 9 digits, 9x mobiles)
- Country code
- +351
- Length
- Nine digits for every number since 1999
- Mobiles
- Start with 9, for example 91, 92, 93 or 96
- Landlines
- Start with 2: 21 Lisbon, 22 Porto, 29 Madeira and the Azores
- Leading zero
- None. Portugal dropped it when it moved to nine digits
The second digit of a mobile number tells you which network originally issued it, not where it is now: numbers can move between operators. Treat 91, 92, 93 and 96 alike.
Writing it in international format
| Mobile | Lisbon landline | |
|---|---|---|
| In Portugal | 9X XXX XXXX | 21 XXX XXXX |
| From abroad and in apps | +351 9X XXX XXXX | +351 21 XXX XXXX |
| App with a country list | Portugal, then 9X XXX XXXX | Portugal, then 21 XXX XXXX |
X stands for any digit. WhatsApp's own help uses the Lisbon number as its example of international format.
- Do not add a 0 after +351; there is none to keep or drop.
- Brazilian contacts keep +55. Save them with the country code so they work from any SIM.
- Saving contacts: store Portuguese numbers with +351 if you also use a SIM from another country.
Getting a Portuguese number before you arrive
| Right for | Keep in mind | |
|---|---|---|
| eSIM or SIM from a Portuguese operator | Moving to Portugal, work, school, rentals | The number you keep and give to everyone |
| Keep your current number | The first weeks | Portuguese forms may expect a +351 number |
| A one-time Portuguese number | One verification code for one app | Receives SMS only and is gone after the code |
For banks, utilities or health portals, use a number of your own: those accounts need it for years, and our numbers are not for banking or payment services anyway.
A Portuguese number for one verification code
When an app or shop only accepts +351 at sign-up and you do not have a Portuguese SIM yet, a one-time number takes that single SMS.
- Choose the service, then Portugal, and compare the success rate shown.
- Enter the number as displayed: +351 and nine digits.
- Ask for the code by SMS; the number cannot take calls.
- Move the account to your own number once you have one, if the app allows it.
All services with Portuguese numbers: numbers from Portugal. How country codes work in general: entering a number with country code.
Common questions
How many digits does a Portuguese phone number have?
Nine, for mobiles and landlines alike. Internationally +351 comes in front.
What do Portuguese mobile numbers start with?
With 9, usually followed by 1, 2, 3 or 6. Landlines start with 2.
Do I drop a 0 after +351?
No. Portuguese numbers have no leading 0, so the nine digits stay exactly as they are.
Can I get a Portuguese number from Brazil?
For one verification code, yes, with a one-time number. A number you keep comes from a Portuguese operator, often as an eSIM.
Is 00351 the same as +351?
Yes. 00 is what you dial to call abroad from Portugal and many other countries. In apps and phone contacts, use the plus sign instead.