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Telephony in Switzerland

Emergency and other important phone numbers

Emergencies - Inquiries / Operator - Services - General information

Calling within Switzerland - International calls from Switzerland - International calls to Switzerland - Mobiles - Swiss phone book

Emergency Phone Numbers:

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Inquiries / Operator:

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Services:

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General information:

Telephony was de-monopolized only a few years ago. Before that, telephony and telecommunication services in Switzerland were provided by the government through the PTT (Post, Telefon, Telegramm - Postal services, Telephony, Telegraphy). The PTT has been divided into the postal service (Post) and the telecommunication services (swisscom). Both companies are now organized as a "Aktiengesellschaft" (public limited company), but the government still holds the majority of the shares.

In the area of telecommunication, there are now a number of private companies which also offer their services within Switzerland, including Orange and Sunrise.

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Calling within Switzerland:

Switzerland is divided into about 20 areas, called "Vorkennzahlenbereiche" (originally geographical areas with the same area code). A phone number consists of the area code and a local phone number. The area code has either two or three digits and starts with a zero, such as 022 for Geneva. The local phone number has usually 7 digits, but there are numbers with only 5 or 6 digits.
Since May 1 2002, the area code is now part of the phone number. The area code has lost its true meaning and must now be dialed even if calling a phone number within the same are code. However, when calling one of the emergency, operator or service phone numbers listed above, no area code applies.

In addition, there are some area codes not assigned to a particular geographical area, but which have special meanings:

• 156 and 157: Services with additional charges (area code 156 is dedicated to adults only services). These numbers will be replaced by 0900, 0901 and 0906 numbers.
• 0800: Charges paid by the receiver (toll free numbers).
• 0840: Business numbers for ISP (Internet Service Providers, charges depend on type of service and time of day).
• 0842 / 0844 / 0848: Business phone numbers (same charges nation wide).
• 058: Business phone numbers (local call charges apply, but charges vary depending on time of call).
• 0900 and 0901: Services with additional charges.
• 0906: Services with additional charges, reserved for adults only services.
• 076 / 078 / 079: Cellular phones.

Area codes in Switzerland (click on the image to enlarge):

Source: swisscom phone book 1999

Note 1: The area code 01 for Zürich was replaced by 043 and 044.

Note 2: The area code is now part of the local phone number. The geographic assignment will fade over the years because people will keep their phone number when they move even if they leave the area where the area code belonged to.

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International calls from Switzerland:

International calls from Switzerland to any country do not require operator assistance. For international calls dial 00 (zero zero), the country code, the area code plus the local phone number. Please note that in some countries, the leading zero of the area code must not be dialed.

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International calls to Switzerland:

International calls to Switzerland are fully automated and do not require operator assistance in Switzerland. However, an operator may be required in the origin country. To call a number in Switzerland, dial what ever is required for an international call, such as 00 (zero zero), then 41 (country code for Switzerland), then the phone number without the leading zero of the former area code.

Example: Lets assume you wish to call TRAMsoft GmbH, located in Hittnau (former area code 044) with 995 1570 as their local phone number. In addition, lets assume you have to dial 00 (zero zero) for an international call.
Then you have to dial 0041 44 995 1570

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Mobiles:

Cellular phones registered in Switzerland have their own area code. In the early days of mobile telephony, it used to be 086, now it is 076, 078 or 079 depending on the provider. Coverage depends on the provider. swisscom covers most of the country, the privately owned companies are building up their network, but cover at least the large cities, such as Zürich, Bern, Basel, Geneva and so on.

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