Italy Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

Italy phone numbers use the +39 country code and follow a structured format regulated by AGCOM (Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni). This comprehensive guide covers Italian phone number formats, validation, and implementation—including landline area codes (02 for Milan, 06 for Rome), mobile prefixes (3XX starting with 330-399), E.164 formatting rules, number portability regulations, and GDPR compliance requirements for handling Italian telecommunications data.

Understanding Italian Phone Number Regulations and AGCOM

AGCOM (Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni) is Italy's independent telecommunications regulatory authority, established by Law 249 of July 31, 1997. AGCOM oversees telecommunications, audiovisual, publishing, postal services, and online platforms. In its 2024 Annual Report, AGCOM reported the total value of the telecommunications and audiovisual markets in Italy reached approximately €53.85 billion in 2023.

The Italian Electronic Communications Code (Legislative Decree No. 259 of August 1, 2003) implements the EU regulatory framework (Directive 2002/21/EC) and was significantly updated by Legislative Decree 207 of November 8, 2021, and most recently by Legislative Decree 48 of March 24, 2024. This modernized framework provides:

• Enhanced Service Quality: Higher standards for telecommunications services
• Stronger Consumer Protection: Safeguards for consumer rights under AGCOM supervision
• Streamlined Digital Integration: Easier integration of digital services including VoIP (regulated under AGCOM Resolution No. 11/06/CIR)
• Improved Number Portability: Simplified phone number transfers between providers (relevant for developers since number ownership can change while the number stays the same)

These improvements align with EU initiatives to harmonize electronic communications services, emphasizing competition, investment, and consumer choice.

Accessing AGCOM Resources

For developers validating Italian phone numbers, AGCOM provides several resources:

• National Numbering Plan: Available at AGCOM's official website
• Carrier Portability Data: Third-party HLR (Home Location Register) lookup services query operator databases to determine current carrier assignments
• Regulatory Updates: AGCOM publishes resolutions and technical specifications through their official channels

Italian Phone Number Formats: Complete Structure Guide

Italian phone numbers follow an open dialing plan with a predictable structure. Understanding the format is essential for validation, whether you're implementing phone verification, SMS services, or international calling features.

Italian Landline Numbers (Geographic Numbers)

• Format: 0xx[x] + XXXXXXX
• Examples:
  • 02 12345678 (Milan area code)
  • 06 12345678 (Rome area code)
  • 055 1234567 (Florence)
  • 081 1234567 (Naples)
• Structure:
  • Area Code: 2–4 digits, always starts with 0. Mandatory even for local calls within Italy.
  • Subscriber Number: 6–8 digits
  • Total Length: 9–11 digits

Important: When calling Italian landlines from abroad, you must keep the leading zero after the +39 country code. For example: +39 06 12345678 (not +39 6 12345678).

Major Italian City Area Codes:

Italian Mobile Phone Numbers

• Format: 3XY XXXXXXX
• Example: 339 1234567 or +39 339 1234567 (international format)
• Structure:
  • Prefix: Always starts with 3, followed by carrier identifier (0–9). Identifies the mobile network operator that originally assigned the number.
  • Subscriber Part: 7–8 digits
  • Total Length: 9–10 digits

All Italian mobile numbers begin with the digit 3. Common prefixes include 330-339 (TIM), 340-349 (Vodafone), 320-329 (WindTre), and 350-351 (Iliad).

Original Carrier Prefixes (note: number portability means numbers can move between carriers):

• TIM: 330, 331, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 360, 363, 366, 368
• Vodafone Italia: 340, 342, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349
• WindTre: 320, 323, 327, 328, 329, 380, 383, 388, 389
• Iliad Italia: 350, 351 (launched 2018, growing MVNO with ~15% market share as of 2024)
• PosteMobile: 371, 373 (managed by PostePay, MVNO with ~5.5% market share)
• Fastweb Mobile: 378 (MVNO operator, part of Swisscom Group)

Italy has three main mobile network operators (MNOs): TIM, Vodafone Italia (acquired by Swisscom in December 2024), and WindTre. Additionally, several Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) like Iliad, PosteMobile, and Fastweb operate on these networks. Due to number portability, prefixes indicate original assignment but not current carrier.

VoIP Numbers

Italy reserves specific number ranges for Voice over IP (VoIP) services under AGCOM regulation:

• Format: 5X XXXXXXXX or 55 XXXXXXXX
• Primary Ranges:
  • 5-prefix: Numbers starting with 5 are assigned to nomadic VoIP services
  • 55-prefix: Numbers starting with 55 are specifically designated for VoIP services
• Length: Typically 9-10 digits total
• Regulation: Governed by AGCOM Resolution No. 11/06/CIR (2006), which equates VoIP services with traditional telephony

VoIP numbers follow E.164 formatting and support standard protocols including SIP. Providers must meet quality of service (QoS) requirements and provide access to emergency services (112).

Special Service Numbers

Italy Number Portability: How It Works

Italy supports robust number portability under AGCOM supervision. Users can keep their numbers when switching providers. AGCOM Resolution 86/21/CIR, effective November 7, 2022, modernized the mobile number portability process.

• Mobile Portability: A number originally with TIM (339 XXXXXXX) can move to Vodafone and remain 339 XXXXXXX.
• Geographic Portability: Landlines can port within the same area code.
• Porting Timeline: The actual porting process takes 7–21 business days. A minimum 30-day retention period with the original operator may apply before initiating the port.

Checking Current Carrier for Ported Numbers

Number portability means the prefix no longer reliably identifies the current carrier. To determine the active carrier for a ported number:

Third-Party HLR Lookup APIs:

• Services like NumberPortabilityLookup.com, Numverify, and Veriphone query Home Location Register (HLR) databases
• APIs return current carrier, porting status, and line type
• Typical response time: 1-3 seconds
• Cost: ~€0.005-€0.02 per lookup depending on volume

Implementation Considerations:

• Cache carrier lookup results with appropriate TTL (24-48 hours recommended)
• Implement fallback logic when carrier lookup fails
• Don't rely solely on prefix-based validation for carrier identification
• Use HLR lookup for fraud prevention, message routing optimization, and carrier-specific features

VoIP and Digital Services in Italy

The Electronic Communications Code addresses modern communication methods. AGCOM Resolution No. 11/06/CIR (2006) equates VoIP services with traditional phone services, applying the same general authorization regime.

• VoIP: Regulated under the general authorization framework. Supports SIP protocol, E.164 formatting, and QoS requirements. The National Numbering Plan governs VoIP number allocation (5-prefix and 55-prefix ranges).
• OTT Services: Focuses on integration with traditional networks, number-based identification, and emergency service access (including 112 access from VoIP).
• Regulatory Requirements: VoIP providers must register with AGCOM, provide emergency access, maintain service quality standards, and comply with lawful intercept requirements.

How to Validate Italian Phone Numbers: Technical Implementation

Phone Number Validation with Regular Expressions

Use regular expressions for initial validation, but they're not foolproof due to number portability. For definitive carrier information and number validity, use HLR lookup services.

// Comprehensive validation for Italian phone numbers
const italianPhonePatterns = {
  landline: /^0\d{2,3}\d{6,8}$/,
  mobile: /^3[0-9]\d{7,8}$/,
  voip: /^5[05]?\d{7,8}$/,
  tollFree: /^80[03]\d{6}$/,
  premiumRate892: /^892\d{6}$/,
  premiumRate899: /^899\d{6}$/,
  sharedCost: /^840\d{6}$/,
  callCenterID: /^084[34]\d{6}$/,
  emergency: /^11[2-8]$/
};

function validateItalianPhone(phoneNumber, type = 'any') {
  // Remove spaces and non-numeric characters except +
  const cleaned = phoneNumber.replace(/[\s\-\(\)]/g, '');

  // Extract national number (remove country code if present)
  let nationalNumber = cleaned;
  if (cleaned.startsWith('+39')) {
    nationalNumber = cleaned.substring(3);
  } else if (cleaned.startsWith('0039')) {
    nationalNumber = cleaned.substring(4);
  }

  // Validate based on type
  if (type === 'any') {
    return Object.values(italianPhonePatterns).some(pattern =>
      pattern.test(nationalNumber)
    );
  }

  const pattern = italianPhonePatterns[type];
  if (!pattern) {
    throw new Error(`Unknown phone type: ${type}`);
  }

  return pattern.test(nationalNumber);
}

// Error handling example
function validateWithErrorHandling(phoneNumber) {
  try {
    if (!phoneNumber || typeof phoneNumber !== 'string') {
      return {
        valid: false,
        error: 'INVALID_INPUT',
        message: 'Phone number must be a non-empty string'
      };
    }

    const isValid = validateItalianPhone(phoneNumber);

    if (!isValid) {
      return {
        valid: false,
        error: 'INVALID_FORMAT',
        message: 'Phone number does not match any valid Italian format'
      };
    }

    return {
      valid: true,
      number: phoneNumber
    };
  } catch (error) {
    return {
      valid: false,
      error: 'VALIDATION_ERROR',
      message: error.message
    };
  }
}

// Example usage
console.log(validateItalianPhone('339 1234567', 'mobile')); // true
console.log(validateItalianPhone('06 12345678', 'landline')); // true
console.log(validateWithErrorHandling('+39 339 1234567'));
// { valid: true, number: '+39 339 1234567' }

Python validation example:

import re
from typing import Dict, Optional, Union

class ItalianPhoneValidator:
    PATTERNS = {
        'landline': re.compile(r'^0\d{2,3}\d{6,8}$'),
        'mobile': re.compile(r'^3[0-9]\d{7,8}$'),
        'voip': re.compile(r'^5[05]?\d{7,8}$'),
        'toll_free': re.compile(r'^80[03]\d{6}$'),
        'premium_892': re.compile(r'^892\d{6}$'),
        'premium_899': re.compile(r'^899\d{6}$'),
        'shared_cost': re.compile(r'^840\d{6}$'),
        'emergency': re.compile(r'^11[2-8]$')
    }

    @staticmethod
    def normalize(phone_number: str) -> str:
        """Remove formatting characters and extract national number"""
        cleaned = re.sub(r'[\s\-\(\)]', '', phone_number)

        if cleaned.startswith('+39'):
            return cleaned[3:]
        elif cleaned.startswith('0039'):
            return cleaned[4:]
        return cleaned

    @classmethod
    def validate(cls, phone_number: str, phone_type: str = 'any') -> Dict[str, Union[bool, str]]:
        """
        Validate Italian phone number

        Returns:
            dict: {'valid': bool, 'type': str, 'error': str (optional)}
        """
        try:
            if not phone_number or not isinstance(phone_number, str):
                return {
                    'valid': False,
                    'error': 'INVALID_INPUT',
                    'message': 'Phone number must be a non-empty string'
                }

            national_number = cls.normalize(phone_number)

            if phone_type == 'any':
                for ptype, pattern in cls.PATTERNS.items():
                    if pattern.match(national_number):
                        return {'valid': True, 'type': ptype}
                return {
                    'valid': False,
                    'error': 'INVALID_FORMAT',
                    'message': 'Number does not match any valid Italian format'
                }

            pattern = cls.PATTERNS.get(phone_type)
            if not pattern:
                return {
                    'valid': False,
                    'error': 'UNKNOWN_TYPE',
                    'message': f'Unknown phone type: {phone_type}'
                }

            is_valid = bool(pattern.match(national_number))
            if is_valid:
                return {'valid': True, 'type': phone_type}
            else:
                return {
                    'valid': False,
                    'error': 'INVALID_FORMAT',
                    'message': f'Number does not match {phone_type} format'
                }

        except Exception as e:
            return {
                'valid': False,
                'error': 'VALIDATION_ERROR',
                'message': str(e)
            }

# Example usage
validator = ItalianPhoneValidator()
print(validator.validate('+39 339 1234567'))  # {'valid': True, 'type': 'mobile'}
print(validator.validate('06 12345678', 'landline'))  # {'valid': True, 'type': 'landline'}

Converting Italian Numbers to E.164 International Format

Store and transmit phone numbers in E.164 format for international compatibility. This format includes the plus sign (+) followed by the country code (39 for Italy) and the national number.

Important: Italy is an exception to typical E.164 rules. You must retain the leading zero for landlines after the country code. Many developers mistakenly omit the zero, but both +39 and the zero are required for landlines.

Examples:

• Landline (Rome):
  • National: 06 12345678
  • E.164: +390612345678 or +39 06 12345678 (zero retained)
• Mobile:
  • National: 339 1234567
  • E.164: +393391234567 or +39 339 1234567 (no leading zero to remove)
• VoIP:
  • National: 55 12345678
  • E.164: +395512345678 or +39 55 12345678

Conversion Code Examples:

function toE164(nationalNumber, includeSpaces = false) {
  // Remove all formatting
  const cleaned = nationalNumber.replace(/[\s\-\(\)]/g, '');

  // Validate it's a valid Italian number
  if (!validateItalianPhone(cleaned)) {
    throw new Error('Invalid Italian phone number');
  }

  // For Italy, keep the leading 0 for landlines
  const e164 = '+39' + cleaned;

  if (includeSpaces) {
    // Add space after country code for readability
    return '+39 ' + cleaned;
  }

  return e164;
}

function fromE164(e164Number) {
  if (!e164Number.startsWith('+39')) {
    throw new Error('Not an Italian phone number');
  }

  // Remove +39 to get national format
  return e164Number.substring(3);
}

// Example usage
console.log(toE164('06 12345678'));  // +390612345678
console.log(toE164('339 1234567', true));  // +39 3391234567
console.log(fromE164('+390612345678'));  // 0612345678

Common formatting errors to avoid:

• ❌ Removing the leading zero from landlines: +3961234567 (incorrect)
• ✅ Keeping the leading zero for landlines: +390612345678 (correct)
• ❌ Adding a zero to mobile numbers: +390339123456 (incorrect)
• ✅ Mobile numbers without extra zero: +393391234567 (correct)

GDPR Compliance for Italian Phone Numbers

Phone numbers are personal data under GDPR. Italy revised its Personal Data Protection Code on December 19, 2018, to align with GDPR. The Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante per la protezione dei dati personali) oversees enforcement.

Data Security Measures

Implement these security measures as required by GDPR Article 32:

• Encryption: Encrypt stored phone numbers using industry-standard algorithms:
  • AES-256 for data at rest
  • TLS 1.3 for data in transit
  • Consider field-level encryption for sensitive databases
• Pseudonymization: Use techniques like hashing with salt or tokenization where appropriate to reduce privacy risk
• Access Control: Implement role-based access control (RBAC) to restrict phone number data access to authorized personnel only
• Data Minimization: Collect and store only necessary phone number information. Don't collect phone numbers if not required for the service.
• Purpose Limitation: Use phone numbers only for the specified purpose disclosed at collection time
• Regular Testing: Test security measures quarterly to ensure ongoing confidentiality, integrity, and resilience
• Incident Response: Maintain documented incident response plan with ability to restore access and availability within 72 hours

Data Retention and Deletion

• Retention Limits: Under Italian law, telecommunications data can be retained for up to 6 years for legal obligations, but marketing data should be deleted when no longer necessary
• Active Consent Period: Phone numbers collected for marketing should be re-validated annually
• Deletion Requests: Honor GDPR Article 17 "right to erasure" requests within 30 days
• Automated Deletion: Implement automated deletion for inactive accounts (recommended: 2-3 years of inactivity)

Consent Requirements for SMS Marketing

Under GDPR Article 6 and Italy's e-Privacy Directive implementation:

• Explicit Opt-in Required: Pre-checked boxes are not valid. Users must actively consent to receive SMS marketing.
• Double Opt-in Recommended: While not mandatory, Italy's Garante has emphasized in July 2025 guidance that double opt-in demonstrates clear consent.
• Clear Purpose: At collection, clearly state: message types, frequency, and how to opt-out
• Separate Consent: Different purposes (e.g., transactional vs. promotional SMS) require separate consent checkboxes
• Easy Opt-out: Provide simple opt-out mechanisms (e.g., reply "STOP"). Process opt-outs immediately.
• Documented Consent: Maintain records of: timestamp, consent method, exact wording shown, IP address (if online), and user identifier

GDPR Compliance Checklist for Phone Number Handling:

• Encryption in place (AES-256 at rest, TLS 1.3 in transit)
• Access controls and audit logging implemented
• Data retention policy defined and automated
• Privacy policy clearly states phone number usage
• Explicit opt-in mechanism for SMS marketing
• Easy opt-out process available (e.g., "STOP" keyword)
• Consent records maintained with timestamps
• Data processing agreement with SMS provider
• Incident response plan documented and tested
• Regular security audits scheduled (quarterly minimum)
• Staff trained on data protection requirements
• Process for handling data subject access requests (DSAR)
• Process for handling deletion requests within 30 days

Performance

• Caching:
  • Cache compiled regular expressions (store as constants)
  • Cache area code lookups with TTL of 30 days
  • Cache HLR carrier lookups with TTL of 24-48 hours
  • Use Redis or Memcached for distributed caching
• Rate Limiting:
  • Implement rate limiting on validation APIs: 100 requests/minute per IP recommended
  • Use exponential backoff for HLR lookup failures
  • Consider batch validation for bulk operations (validate 100-1000 numbers per request)
• Database Indexing: Index phone number fields for quick lookups. Use partial indexes for frequently queried formats.
• Optimization Metrics:
  • Target validation response time: <50ms for regex, <2s for HLR lookup
  • Cache hit ratio target: >80% for production systems

Error Handling

Provide informative error messages and implement appropriate fallback mechanisms. Log validation failures for analysis and troubleshooting while respecting privacy.

Standard Error Codes:

Error Handling Implementation:

class PhoneValidationError extends Error {
  constructor(code, message, details = {}) {
    super(message);
    this.code = code;
    this.details = details;
    this.name = 'PhoneValidationError';
  }
}

async function validateWithHLR(phoneNumber) {
  try {
    // Step 1: Format validation
    const formatted = toE164(phoneNumber);

    // Step 2: HLR Lookup
    const hlrResult = await hlrLookup(formatted);

    if (!hlrResult.active) {
      throw new PhoneValidationError(
        'INACTIVE_NUMBER',
        'This phone number is not currently active',
        { number: formatted, hlrStatus: hlrResult.status }
      );
    }

    return {
      valid: true,
      formatted: formatted,
      carrier: hlrResult.carrier,
      ported: hlrResult.ported,
      type: hlrResult.lineType
    };

  } catch (error) {
    // Log error (without sensitive data)
    logger.error('Phone validation failed', {
      errorCode: error.code,
      // Don't log actual phone number in production
      timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
    });

    if (error instanceof PhoneValidationError) {
      throw error;
    }

    // Fallback for unexpected errors
    throw new PhoneValidationError(
      'VALIDATION_ERROR',
      'Unable to validate phone number',
      { originalError: error.message }
    );
  }
}

Logging Best Practices:

• Privacy-Safe Logging: Hash or mask phone numbers in logs (e.g., +39 3XX XXX X567)
• Structured Logging: Use JSON format with error codes, timestamps, and context
• Log Retention: Limit validation log retention to 90 days maximum per GDPR
• Monitoring: Set up alerts for validation error rate thresholds (>10% failure rate)

Frequently Asked Questions About Italian Phone Numbers

What is the country code for Italy?

The country code for Italy is +39. When calling Italy from abroad, dial +39 followed by the full Italian phone number, including the leading zero for landlines. For example, to call a Rome landline, dial +39 06 12345678. For mobile numbers, dial +39 followed by the mobile number starting with 3 (e.g., +39 339 1234567).

What are the area codes for Rome and Milan?

Rome uses area code 06, and Milan uses area code 02. Italian area codes range from 2 to 4 digits and always start with 0. You must dial the full area code even for local calls within the same city.

How do I format Italian phone numbers in E.164 international format?

For E.164 formatting, use +39 followed by the complete number. Important: Unlike most countries, Italy requires you to keep the leading zero for landlines. Example: The Rome number 06 12345678 becomes +390612345678 in E.164 format.

Do Italian mobile numbers start with a specific prefix?

Yes, Italian mobile numbers always start with 3, followed by a carrier identifier (0-9). For example, TIM uses prefixes like 330, 333, 339, while Vodafone uses 340, 342, 347. Iliad uses 350, 351. Mobile numbers are 9-10 digits long in total.

Can phone numbers be ported between carriers in Italy?

Yes, Italy supports full number portability regulated by AGCOM Resolution 86/21/CIR (effective November 7, 2022). Mobile numbers can move between any carriers, and landlines can port within the same area code. The porting process takes 7-21 business days.

What is Italy's emergency number?

Italy uses 112 as the primary EU standard emergency number. It's free to call from any phone, including those without SIM cards or credit. In some regions, legacy numbers (113 for police, 118 for ambulance) still operate alongside 112.

How do I handle common validation errors?

Common validation errors include:

• Wrong format: Use regex patterns to validate structure before processing
• Missing country code: Normalize input by adding +39 if missing
• Leading zero confusion: Remember landlines keep the 0, mobiles don't have one
• Ported numbers: Use HLR lookup to verify current carrier, not just prefix

How can I test phone number validation in development?

For testing Italian phone validation:

• Test numbers: Use AGCOM's reserved test ranges (contact AGCOM for details)
• Mock HLR responses: Create mock carrier lookup responses for unit tests
• Sample numbers: Use format-valid but unassigned numbers like +39 338 0000000
• Validation libraries: Test with libraries like libphonenumber for format validation
• Never use real customer phone numbers in test environments

How do I dial internationally from Italy?

To call internationally from Italy:

1. Dial 00 (international access prefix)
2. Dial the country code (e.g., 1 for USA, 44 for UK)
3. Dial the phone number (without the leading 0 if present)

Example: To call +1 202 555 0123 (USA) from Italy, dial 00 1 202 555 0123

Best Practices

• Normalize Input: Remove spaces, hyphens, parentheses, and non-numeric characters before validation. Handle both +39 and 0039 country code formats.
• Store in E.164: Always store phone numbers in E.164 format (+39XXXXXXXXX) for consistency and international compatibility
• Validate Against Official Data: Use HLR lookup services for accurate carrier validation and to detect inactive numbers
• Security First: Implement AES-256 encryption at rest, TLS 1.3 in transit, and strict access controls
• Monitor Performance: Track validation success rates, API response times, and error patterns. Set up alerts for anomalies.
• User Experience:
  • Accept multiple input formats (with/without spaces, country code)
  • Show clear formatting examples in input placeholders
  • Provide real-time validation feedback without being intrusive
  • Display user-friendly error messages, not technical codes
• Testing Strategy:
  • Unit test all number format variations (landline, mobile, VoIP, special)
  • Integration test HLR lookup with proper mocking
  • Load test validation endpoints (target: 1000 requests/second)
  • Test error handling and fallback mechanisms
• Compliance:
  • Audit GDPR compliance quarterly
  • Document all consent mechanisms
  • Train staff on data protection requirements annually
  • Maintain incident response procedures

Follow these guidelines to ensure your applications handle Italian phone numbers correctly, improving reliability, security, and user experience while maintaining full GDPR compliance.

Related Resources

For additional information on international phone number formats and validation:

• E.164 Phone Number Format Guide - Understanding the international phone number standard
• Phone Number Lookup Tools - Verify and validate phone numbers globally
• GDPR Compliance for SMS Marketing - Italian data protection authority guidance

Learn more about phone number validation for other European countries and explore comprehensive guides for implementing telecommunication compliance across different regions.