Connecting with friends, family, or business partners across continents can sometimes feel complex. When you need to call Israel from Italy, you are bridging a significant geographical distance and navigating specific dialing protocols. This guide provides all the necessary information, from basic dialing steps to understanding costs and exploring modern, cost-effective solutions.

Whether you are planning a trip, managing business operations, or simply reaching out to loved ones, knowing the correct way to dial makes all the difference. We will walk you through the essential steps, including country codes, area codes, and the best times to make your international calls Italy to Israel. We also explore how a service like Telfon, offering a virtual number for Israel, can simplify the entire process, making your communication seamless and affordable.

Understanding international dialing codes and formats is the first step. For general information on international telephone numbering plans, you can refer to resources like Wikipedia’s article on the E.164 standard. This guide will specifically focus on the practical steps for calling Israel from Italy.

Understanding International Calling

Making an international call requires more than just dialing a local number. You need to tell your phone system that you are trying to reach another country. This involves a sequence of specific numbers.

The Basics of Dialing Overseas

Every international call typically follows a pattern: an exit code, a country code, and then the local number, which may include an area code. These codes direct your call through the correct international networks to its destination. Without them, your call cannot connect.

Key Elements You’ll Need

To successfully call Israel from Italy, you must know three main components:

1. Italy’s Exit Code: This tells your phone system you are dialing outside of Italy. For Italy, the exit code is “00”.
2. Israel’s Country Code: This identifies Israel as the destination country. Israel’s country code is “+972”.
3. The Israeli Phone Number: This is the specific number of the person or business you wish to reach, including their local area code.

Calling from a Landline

Dialing Israel from an Italian landline involves a specific sequence. It is a straightforward process once you know the correct numbers.

Step-by-Step Landline Dialing

Here is how you can dial Israel from Italy using a landline phone:

1. Dial the Italian Exit Code: Start by dialing 00. This signifies that you are making an international call from Italy.
2. Dial Israel’s Country Code: Next, dial 972. This connects you to Israel’s telecommunications network.
3. Dial the Israeli Area Code: Enter the specific area code for the city or region in Israel you are calling. Do not include the leading ‘0’ if the area code usually starts with one when dialed domestically within Israel.
4. Dial the Local Phone Number: Finally, dial the individual’s or business’s local phone number.

Example for Landline

Let’s imagine you want to call a landline in Tel Aviv with the local number 1234567. The Tel Aviv area code is 3.

Your full dialing sequence would be: 00 972 3 1234567.

Always double-check the exact local number and area code to avoid misdials.

Calling from a Mobile Phone

Calling Israel from an Italian mobile phone is often simpler than using a landline. Mobile phones allow for a universal dialing format.

Simple Mobile Dialing Steps

Most modern mobile phones let you use the ‘+’ symbol as a substitute for the international exit code. This makes the process more convenient.

1. Dial the Plus Sign (+): Press and hold the ‘0’ key on your mobile phone until a ‘+’ symbol appears. This replaces Italy’s 00 exit code.
2. Dial Israel’s Country Code: Immediately after the ‘+’, dial 972.
3. Dial the Israeli Area Code: Enter the relevant area code for the location in Israel. Remember to omit any leading ‘0’ if the area code usually starts with one.
4. Dial the Local Phone Number: Complete the sequence by dialing the specific local number.

Example for Mobile

If you are calling an Israeli mobile number 5X 1234567 (where 5X represents the mobile prefix, like 50, 52, etc.), the dialing would look like this:

+972 5X 1234567.

Using the ‘+’ symbol is generally recommended for mobile phones as it works globally, regardless of your current location or the country you are calling from.

Israel’s Country Code and Area Codes

Understanding these codes is vital for successful international communication. They direct your call to the correct country and then to the specific region within it.

The Essential Israel Country Code

The Israel country code from Italy (and anywhere else) is +972. This three-digit number uniquely identifies Israel in the global telephone network. You must include it in every international call to Israel. For instance, whether you call a landline or a mobile, 972 is always part of the sequence after the exit code.

Navigating Israeli Area Codes

Within Israel, various cities and regions have their own unique area code. These codes help direct calls to the right geographical location. When calling Israel from Italy, you must include the correct area code after the country code and before the local number.

Here is a table of common Israeli area codes:

Note: Israeli mobile numbers typically start with a ‘5’ followed by another digit (e.g., 50, 52, 54).

When calling an Israeli mobile number, the mobile prefix (e.g., 50, 52) acts similarly to an area code. You dial +972 followed by the mobile prefix and then the 7-digit subscriber number.

Phone Number Format in Israel

Knowing the specific format helps ensure your call connects successfully. Israel uses a standard 9 or 10-digit format, depending on whether it’s a landline or mobile.

Understanding Israeli Phone Numbers

Israeli phone numbers generally follow a consistent structure.

• Landline numbers typically consist of a single-digit area code followed by a 7-digit subscriber number. When dialed from within Israel, they sometimes begin with a ‘0’ before the area code (e.g., 03-1234567). However, for international dialing, you drop this leading ‘0’.
• Mobile numbers start with a two-digit mobile prefix (e.g., 50, 52, 54) followed by a 7-digit subscriber number. Similar to landlines, the leading ‘0’ (e.g., 050-1234567) is dropped for international calls.
  

Correct Formatting Examples

Let’s illustrate with some full international dialing examples:

• To call a landline in Jerusalem (area code 2) with the number 1234567:

+972 2 1234567 (from mobile) or 00 972 2 1234567 (from landline).

• To call a mobile number starting with 54 (Partner/Orange) with the number 1234567:

+972 54 1234567 (from mobile) or 00 972 54 1234567 (from landline).

Always remember to remove any leading ‘0’ from the Israeli area code or mobile prefix when adding the +972 country code.

Finding the Best Time to Call Israel from Italy

Timing your call correctly is crucial for successful communication. A well-timed call respects the recipient’s schedule and increases the likelihood of them answering.

Time Zone Differences Explained

Israel observes Israel Standard Time (IST), which is UTC+2. During Daylight Saving Time (usually from late March to late October), Israel switches to Israel Daylight Time (IDT), which is UTC+3.

Italy observes Central European Time (CET), which is UTC+1. During Daylight Saving Time (typically from late March to late October), Italy switches to Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+2.

This means:

• During Standard Time (Winter): Israel is 1 hour ahead of Italy. (e.g., 10:00 AM in Italy is 11:00 AM in Israel).
• During Daylight Saving Time (Summer): Israel remains 1 hour ahead of Italy. (e.g., 10:00 AM in Italy is 11:00 AM in Israel).

The time difference is consistently one hour, with Israel always being ahead.

Ideal Calling Hours

Considering the one-hour time difference, here are some suggestions for the best time for calling Israel from Italy:

• For Business Calls: Israeli business hours are generally Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• To reach them during their peak business hours (e.g., 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Israel time), you should call between 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Italian time.
• For Personal Calls:
• Calling weekday evenings in Israel (e.g., 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Israel time) would mean calling between 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Italian time. This is often a good window for personal chats.
• Weekend calls (Friday afternoon to Saturday evening in Israel is their Sabbath) should generally be avoided unless you know the person is available. Sunday is a normal workday in Israel.

Always check for any holidays in either country that might affect availability. A quick online search for “current time in Israel” can help you confirm the exact time difference at any given moment.

Understanding the Cost of Calling Israel

International calls, especially traditional ones, can quickly become expensive. Being aware of the potential costs helps you choose the most economical method.

Traditional Calling Costs

When you call Israel from Italy using a standard landline or mobile service, you often face higher per-minute rates. These rates vary significantly between different phone providers and calling plans. Traditional carriers typically charge premium rates for international destinations, sometimes with additional connection fees.

Factors contributing to these high costs include:

• Interconnection Fees: Charges telecom providers levy on each other for connecting calls between networks in different countries.
• Carrier Specific Rates: Each provider sets its own pricing structure, which can differ greatly.
• Peak vs. Off-Peak Hours: Some plans might offer slightly lower rates during off-peak times, but international calls usually remain costly.

Factors Affecting Call Charges

Several elements influence the overall expense of your international calls Italy to Israel:

• Your Service Provider: Different Italian mobile and landline providers (e.g., TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, Fastweb) have varying international calling bundles or pay-as-you-go rates.
• Your Calling Plan: Some plans include international minutes, while others charge extra for every minute.
• Type of Number Called: Calling an Israeli mobile number might be more expensive than calling a landline.
• Call Duration: The longer you talk, the more you pay, especially on a per-minute billing structure.

Exploring Cost-Effective Alternatives

Given the high costs of traditional calling, many people seek more affordable options. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services and virtual number providers offer significant savings. These services leverage the internet to transmit calls, often at much lower rates or even for free between users of the same platform. They provide a modern solution to reduce your cost of calling internationally.

Why You Might Need to Call Israel from Italy

People connect across borders for a multitude of reasons, both personal and professional. Understanding these motivations highlights the importance of reliable and affordable international calling options.

Connecting with Family and Friends

One of the most common reasons to call Israel from Italy is to stay in touch with loved ones. Whether it’s a daily chat with family, catching up with old friends, or celebrating special occasions, maintaining personal connections is invaluable. Regular communication helps bridge geographical distances and keeps relationships strong. Many Italians have family connections in Israel, and vice versa.

Business and Professional Communications

Israel boasts a vibrant economy, especially in technology, agriculture, and tourism. Italian businesses might need to contact Israeli counterparts for various reasons:

• Trade and Export: Discussing import/export deals, logistics, or product specifications.
• Partnerships: Collaborating on projects, joint ventures, or research and development.
• Customer Support: Providing service to Israeli clients from an Italian base.
• Investment Opportunities: Exploring potential investments or business expansions.

Efficient international calls Italy to Israel are crucial for these professional engagements.

Travel and Tourism Planning

Italy and Israel are popular tourist destinations. If you are planning a trip to Israel from Italy, or vice versa, you might need to make calls for:

• Hotel Bookings: Confirming reservations or inquiring about services.
• Tour Operators: Arranging guided tours or activities.
• Airline Queries: Changing flight details or asking about travel requirements.
• Emergency Assistance: Contacting local services or family while traveling.

Academic or Research Purposes

Universities and research institutions often collaborate internationally. Students, professors, and researchers in Italy may need to contact colleagues in Israel for:

• Project Collaboration: Discussing ongoing research or new initiatives.
• Student Exchange Programs: Inquiring about admissions or program details.
• Conferences and Workshops: Registering or presenting research.

For all these reasons, having a dependable and affordable way to communicate is essential.

How Telfon Simplifies Calling Israel from Italy

Telfon offers a modern, efficient, and cost-effective solution for anyone needing to call Israel from Italy. It moves beyond traditional phone lines, using the power of the internet to connect you.

The Power of a Virtual Number for Israel

Telfon is a cloud telephony service providing virtual numbers for Israel and over 180+ other countries. What does this mean for you?

When you get an Israeli virtual number through Telfon, you gain a local presence in Israel. Your contacts in Israel can call this number at local rates, or even for free if their plan includes local calls. This removes the barrier of international charges for them. For you, calling out from your Telfon account, whether to Israel or another country, is significantly cheaper than traditional international calling rates.

This approach is especially useful for businesses aiming to establish a local presence without physical infrastructure. Individuals can also benefit from reduced costs and enhanced communication features.

Key Telfon Benefits for International Calls

Telfon provides numerous advantages that make calling Israel from Italy much easier and more affordable:

• Cost-effectiveness: Telfon’s virtual numbers and VoIP calling rates are generally much lower than traditional international call charges. You save money on every call.
• Local Presence: With a virtual number for Israel, you offer your contacts a local number, which builds trust and encourages communication. They won’t incur international charges when calling you.
• Reliability: Leveraging robust cloud telephony, Telfon ensures clear call quality and consistent connectivity.
• Advanced Features: Telfon includes a suite of features designed to enhance your communication experience:
• Call Recordings: Keep track of important conversations for training, compliance, or reference.
• WhatsApp Integration: Manage multiple WhatsApp accounts for business communication.
• Send & Receive SMS/Bulk SMS: Communicate via text messages efficiently.
• Multi-country Numbers: Manage virtual numbers from different countries simultaneously within one platform.
• Voicemail to Text: Get voicemails transcribed, so you can read them anywhere.
• Call Forwarding: Never miss a call by directing it to another number.

Getting Started with Telfon

Telfon makes it easy to set up your international calling solution. You simply choose the country for your virtual number, pick a plan, and start connecting. The user-friendly interface ensures you can manage your calls and features without technical hassle. It’s a smart choice for individuals and businesses looking for a seamless, cost-efficient way to make international calls Italy to Israel.

Step-by-Step: Using Telfon to Call Israel

Using Telfon to communicate with Israel is designed to be straightforward and user-friendly. Here’s a quick guide to getting started.

Signing Up and Choosing Your Number

1. Visit the Telfon Website: Go to the Telfon platform and sign up for an account. The process is quick and secure.
2. Select Your Virtual Number: Once registered, navigate to the “Purchase Virtual Number” section. Choose “Israel” from the list of available countries. You can select the specific type of number you need (e.g., local, mobile, toll-free, if available).
3. Choose a Plan: Select a plan that best fits your calling volume and feature requirements. Telfon offers flexible options for both individuals and businesses.
4. Complete Registration: Follow the prompts to complete your virtual number activation. This usually takes just a few minutes.

Making Your First Call

Once your Israeli virtual number is active, making a call is simple:

1. Log In to Your Telfon Account: Access the Telfon dashboard via the web or mobile app.
2. Use the Dialpad: Locate the integrated dialpad within the Telfon interface.
3. Enter the Israeli Number: Input the full Israeli phone number, including the local area code or mobile prefix (e.g., 2 1234567 for Jerusalem landline or 54 1234567 for a mobile number). You do not need to dial 00 or +972 when using Telfon’s internal dialer to call Israel, as the system routes it automatically through your Israeli virtual number.
4. Initiate Call: Click the call button. Your call will connect at Telfon’s competitive international rates, often appearing as a local Israeli number to the recipient if you’ve purchased a virtual Israeli number.

Leveraging Telfon’s Features

Telfon is more than just a calling app. It’s a comprehensive communication tool.

• Call Recording: Easily turn on call recording for important conversations directly from the interface. These recordings are stored securely in your account.
• SMS & Broadcast Messages: Send text messages to Israeli numbers. For businesses, use broadcast messaging for marketing or important announcements.
• WhatsApp Integration: Connect your WhatsApp accounts to manage business communications, perfect for engaging with Israeli clients who prefer WhatsApp.
• Voicemail to Text: If you miss a call, Telfon transcribes the voicemail, letting you read messages quickly without listening to them.
• Call History and Analytics: Review your call logs, manage contacts, and for business users, access user analytics to track communication patterns.

Telfon provides you with a powerful and flexible way to maintain strong connections with Israel, ensuring clear, affordable, and feature-rich communication.

Tips for a Smooth International Call

Ensuring a smooth international calling experience involves a few key considerations. These tips can help prevent common issues and make your calls more effective.

Verify Information

Before you make that important call, always double-check the details.

• Confirm the Phone Number: Make sure you have the correct and complete Israeli phone number. Even a single digit error can lead to a wrong number or a failed connection.
• Check Area Codes: Ensure you have the correct Israeli area code for the specific city or region you are trying to reach. Remember to drop any leading ‘0’ when dialing internationally.
• Verify Country Code: Confirm that +972 is correctly entered before the area code and local number.

Check Time Zones

As discussed earlier, Israel is generally one hour ahead of Italy.

• Use a Time Zone Converter: If you’re unsure or during periods of Daylight Saving Time transitions, use an online time zone converter to accurately determine the current time in Israel.
• Respect Local Hours: Always consider the recipient’s local time to avoid calling too early or too late. This shows respect and increases the chances of a successful conversation.

Consider Your Connection

For VoIP services like Telfon, a stable internet connection is paramount.

• Reliable Wi-Fi: When using Telfon’s app or web interface, connect to a strong and stable Wi-Fi network.
• Sufficient Mobile Data: If you are using mobile data, ensure you have a good signal and enough data allowance for the call’s duration.
• Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Calls: Public Wi-Fi can sometimes be less secure or have fluctuating speeds. For important business calls, opt for a private and secure connection.

By following these simple tips, you can significantly improve the quality and success rate of your calling Israel from Italy experience.

FAQ’s

Here are some common questions people ask about making international calls to Israel from Italy.

Q1: What is the main dialing code for Israel when calling from Italy?

A1: The main dialing code for Israel is +972. You will precede this with Italy’s international exit code 00 (so 00972) from a landline, or simply + (so +972) from a mobile phone.

Q2: Do I need to include an area code when calling an Israeli mobile number?

A2: Israeli mobile numbers already include a two-digit prefix (like 50, 52, 54) that functions similarly to an area code. So, you would dial +972 followed by the mobile prefix and then the 7-digit number. You do not add a separate traditional area code.

Q3: Is calling Israel from Italy expensive?

A3: Traditional international calls from Italy to Israel can be quite expensive, depending on your phone provider and plan. However, services like Telfon, which use VoIP and virtual numbers, offer significantly lower and more cost-effective rates.

Q4: What is the time difference between Italy and Israel?

A4: Israel is generally 1 hour ahead of Italy. For example, if it’s 10:00 AM in Italy, it will be 11:00 AM in Israel, during both standard and daylight saving times.

Q5: Can I send text messages to Israel from Italy?

A5: Yes, most mobile plans allow international SMS. However, using an app like Telfon also enables you to send and receive SMS messages to Israeli numbers, often at a lower cost and with additional features.

Q6: What is a virtual number for Israel, and how does Telfon provide it?

A6: A virtual number for Israel is a telephone number without a direct physical line. It routes calls over the internet. Telfon provides these numbers, allowing you to have an Israeli presence without needing a physical address in Israel. Your Israeli contacts can call this number as if it were local.

Q7: How can Telfon help businesses making international calls to Israel?

A7: Telfon offers features like cost-effective international calling, virtual numbers for a local presence, call recording, WhatsApp integration, and user analytics. These tools help businesses streamline communication, reduce costs, and improve customer engagement with Israeli clients and partners.

Q8: What’s the best way to dial an Israeli landline from Italy?

A8: From a landline: 00 972 [Israeli Area Code without leading 0] [Local 7-digit Number].

From a mobile: +972 [Israeli Area Code without leading 0] [Local 7-digit Number].

Q9: Do I need an internet connection to use Telfon for calling Israel?

A9: Yes, Telfon uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, so a stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) is required to make and receive calls through their app or web platform.

Conclusion

Calling Israel from Italy no longer needs to be a daunting task. By understanding the simple dialing sequence – Italy’s exit code, Israel’s country code (+972), and the specific area code or mobile prefix, followed by the local number – you can easily connect. Remember to always drop any leading ‘0’ from Israeli area codes or mobile prefixes when dialing internationally.

The cost of international calls Italy to Israel can vary significantly with traditional carriers. However, modern solutions like Telfon provide a compelling alternative. With Telfon, you can acquire a virtual number for Israel, offering a local presence and drastically reducing your calling expenses. Its array of features, including call recording, SMS, and WhatsApp integration, makes it an ideal communication tool for both personal and business needs.

Whether you are connecting with family, fostering business relationships, or planning your next trip, having a clear and affordable way to communicate is essential. Telfon simplifies this process, making reliable and cost-effective calling Israel from Italy more accessible than ever before. Choose smart communication, choose Telfon.