Germany’s phone system can be bewildering. You’ve got geographic area codes that seem random until you memorize them. And now, on top of all that complexity, you’re dealing with scammers who’ve learned to game the entire system.
So when an unknown number from Munich calls repeatedly, or a mobile with 0162 won’t stop messaging, what do you actually do? You could answer the phone, but you might get stuck in a twenty-minute sales pitch. You could ignore it and potentially miss something important. Or you could check this phone number and actually know what you’re dealing with.
When you’re asking who is calling me from an unfamiliar number, you need more than guesswork. Our reverse phone lookup platform makes Germany’s phone system easy to understand. We connect you with all the important stuff: BNetzA databases, geographic details for all 5,200+ area codes across 16 states, mobile network info, and actual warnings from the German-speaking community about suspicious callers.
Our phone number reverse search tools connect official telecom databases with grassroots scam reporting, giving you the complete picture before you decide how to respond. Look up that mysterious number, read what others discovered, then answer or block with complete confidence!
| Category | Details |
| Country | 🇩🇪Germany |
| Country Calling Code | +49 |
| National Trunk Prefix | 0 (used before the area or mobile code domestically) |
| International Direct Dial (IDD) | 00 (used to make calls abroad) |
| Standard Number Format | +49 XXX XXXXXX (international) / 0XXX XXXXXX (domestic) |
| Example Mobile Number | +49 171 1234567 (domestic: 0171 1234567) |
| Example Landline Number | +49 30 12345678 (domestic: 030 12345678) |
| Area Codes (Geographic) | 2–9-digit codes (e.g., 030 Berlin, 089 Munich, 040 Hamburg) |
| Regulator | Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railway) |
| Notable Features | Open numbering plan (variable lengths), full number portability, 0800 freephone, 0900 premium-rate, strict data protection (DSGVO / GDPR). |
A Quick Guide to German Mobile and Landline Formats
Identify call types to decide whether to answer, ignore, or block. In Germany, initial digits show the service: 01/015/016/017 are mobile; 02–09, regional landlines; 0800, toll-free; 0180, shared-cost; 0900, premium-rate. VoIP and non-geographic numbers (e.g., 032) are common for digital business.
Spotting these patterns helps you dodge sneaky charges and scams. For instance, watch out for premium-rate (0900) and international callback fraud numbers – they’re often used in scams. But don’t worry, toll-free (0800) numbers are usually safe for customer service. If a number feels fishy, just check the table below before you do anything else.
How to identify the unknown number:
- Look for the first few digits after the zero (0) at the start.
- Match those digits to a range in the table.
- Read the description to see the cost, what it’s for, and how it’s used.
| Number Type | Prefix / Range | Description |
| Mobile | 015, 016, 017 | Used by major mobile carriers (Vodafone, Telekom, O2). |
| Landline (Geographic) | 02–09 | Fixed-line numbers tied to cities and regions (see next table). |
| VoIP / Non-Geographic | 032 | Used for internet-based and business telephony. |
| Toll-Free | 0800 | Free to call from anywhere in Germany. |
| Shared-Cost / Service | 0180 | Split-cost or customer service lines. |
| Premium-Rate | 0900 | Paid content or subscription lines; can be expensive. |
| Short Codes / Emergency | 110, 112, 115, 116XXX | National emergency, information, and assistance numbers. |
How to Identify a German Carrier by Phone Prefix
German mobile prefixes used to tell you which operator someone was with. Not anymore, thanks to number portability! But don’t toss them out entirely. These prefixes are still super useful for making sure a mobile number looks legit and is in the right range.
Our table will help you quickly see if a mobile number matches an official allocation. This is a lifesaver when you’re trying to figure out if that SMS link, delivery update, or customer support text is real. Fraudsters love to fake mobile prefixes to make their messages seem local, so a quick check can save you a lot of trouble!
How to use this table:
- Look at the first four digits (after 0).
- Find them in the list below.
- Treat these as original assignments; the current provider may differ.
| Prefix (0XXX) | Original Operator | Notes |
| 0151 | Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile) | One of the oldest and most trusted mobile ranges. |
| 0152 | Vodafone Germany | Common for both personal and corporate use. |
| 0157 | Telefónica (O2 / E-Plus) | Shared across multiple MVNOs. |
| 0160 | Deutsche Telekom | Still widely used; often older, long-term numbers. |
| 0162 | Vodafone | Often seen in nationwide mobile contracts. |
| 0170 / 0171 | Deutsche Telekom | Popular mobile ranges for Telekom postpaid customers. |
| 0172 / 0173 / 0174 | Vodafone | Assigned to Vodafone before full portability. |
| 0175 / 0176 | Telefónica (O2 / E-Plus) | Common for prepaid and data SIMs. |
German Area Codes and the Regions They Cover
Landline prefixes are tied to specific regions, making it easier to figure out where a call is coming from. Even though VoIP has made regional boundaries less clear, these codes are still a handy way to tell if a number is local or not.
What to do:
- Just look for the first 3-5 digits after the zero (like 030 or 089).
- Then, match those digits with the area codes listed below.
- This will help you figure out if a caller’s claimed location is actually legit!
| Area Code | Region / Federal State | Common Sub-Prefixes | Example Number | Major Cities / Regions |
| 030 | Berlin | 2–9XX | (030) 12345678 | Berlin |
| 040 | Hamburg | 3–9XX | (040) 87654321 | Hamburg |
| 069 | Hesse | 2–9XX | (069) 1234567 | Frankfurt am Main |
| 089 | Bavaria | 1–9XX | (089) 6543210 | Munich |
| 0211 | North Rhine-Westphalia | 3–8XX | (0211) 2345678 | Düsseldorf |
| 0221 | North Rhine-Westphalia | 3–8XX | (0221) 3456789 | Cologne |
| 0231 | North Rhine-Westphalia | 5–8XX | (0231) 9876543 | Dortmund |
| 0341 | Saxony | 2–8XX | (0341) 7654321 | Leipzig |
| 0351 | Saxony | 3–7XX | (0351) 5554321 | Dresden |
| 040 / 041 | Hamburg & Lower Saxony | 1–9XX | (040) 4567890 | Hamburg, Lüneburg |
| 0511 | Lower Saxony | 3–8XX | (0511) 1234567 | Hanover |
| 0611 | Hesse | 3–9XX | (0611) 8765432 | Wiesbaden |
| 0711 | Baden-Württemberg | 2–8XX | (0711) 6543210 | Stuttgart |
| 0721 | Baden-Württemberg | 3–9XX | (0721) 2345678 | Karlsruhe |
| 0821 | Bavaria | 3–7XX | (0821) 3456789 | Augsburg |
Reliable Reverse Number Lookup Tools for Germany
To identify an unknown caller, simply integrate information from official databases, carrier records, and community spam reports. This combination of sources will enable you to ascertain the caller’s identity, detect potential scam activity, and verify the legitimacy of businesses.
| Tool / Website | Type | Description |
| Scannero.io | Reverse lookup tool | Global lookup for Germany, offering identity hints, spam flags, and carrier data. |
| Bundesnetzagentur Numbering Database | Official registry | Maintains the official German numbering plan and assigned ranges. |
| Das Örtliche / Das Telefonbuch | Public directory | Trusted listings for businesses and individuals (opt-in). |
| WhoCallsMe.de | Community forum | Crowd-sourced reports on unknown or scam numbers. |
| CleverDialer | Mobile app | Detects and blocks spam calls in real time. |
| Tellows.de | Community database | Large German user base reporting telemarketing and fraud attempts. |
How Reverse Phone Lookups Really Work
Behind every reverse phone lookup is a web of databases that connect public records, carrier data, and user submissions. When you run a search, the system doesn’t “trace” a number in real time — it matches it against millions of stored entries from telecom sources, directories, and sometimes social media.
- Data is aggregated. Databases store billions of numbers from directories, websites, and even crowd-sourced info.
- Queries are matched. When you enter a number, the system scans for similar entries and verifies patterns.
- Results are refined. You might get a name, location, or company — and with paid lookups, sometimes a fuller digital footprint.
Why You Might Get Mixed Results
Not all numbers leave the same digital trail. Mobile lines and private users, for instance, might not show up in public databases, and scammers can “spoof” real numbers. Plus, some directories update their info faster than others. So, if one search doesn’t give you the answers you need, no worries – just try another reliable source!
Free services usually offer pretty limited information. That’s why we suggest checking out proven tools, like Scannero, which can help you find out the caller’s name, location, and even court records with really impressive accuracy.
Scam and Spam Call Trends German Users Report
Phone scams in Germany often rely on caller ID spoofing, pressure tactics, or fake government claims. Recognizing patterns helps you avoid financial loss or data theft.
How to protect yourself:
- Review the prefix and type of message or call.
- Identify the pattern below.
- Follow the recommended safety step.
| Indicator | Type of Scam/Spam | Example Format | Comment / Recommendation |
| +49 30 / 069 spoofed landlines | Bank or tax office impersonation | +49 30 1234567 | Authorities never demand money or codes via phone — hang up immediately. |
| +49 015 / 017 numbers with prize offers | Lottery or refund scam | +49 171 2345678 | Never share personal or banking details over the phone. |
| +49 0900 numbers | Premium-rate fraud | +49 900 123456 | Avoid calling back unknown premium-rate lines. |
| International missed calls (+225, +234, +44) | Wangiri callback scam | +225 88 123456 | Don’t call back unfamiliar international numbers. |
| Fake parcel notifications (SMS with links) | Phishing / malware attempt | +49 176 7890123 | Delete messages with suspicious links immediately. |
| “Police / Gericht” (court) robocalls | Impersonation scam | +49 89 7654321 | German police never use automated calls — report to Bundesnetzagentur. |
| Repeated short calls | Robocall verification or list-building | +49 152 000000 | Ignore or block; used to confirm active numbers. |
Essential safety tips:
- Never share TANs, PINs, or banking details on the phone — legitimate German banks (e.g., Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank) will never request these over a call.
- Hang up immediately if someone claims to be from the Polizei, Finanzamt, or Bundesagentur für Arbeit demanding money or personal data. These authorities never contact citizens by phone for payments.
- Ignore “Gewinnspiel” (lottery) or “Rückzahlung” (refund) calls promising prizes or cash. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
- Don’t call back unfamiliar foreign numbers (especially starting with +225, +234, +44, or +90). These are often “Ping-Anrufe” — short missed calls meant to trick you into costly callbacks.
- Be cautious with 0900 or 0137 numbers. These are premium-rate lines that can charge several euros per minute.
Free German Phone Directory Resources
Use these non-commercial directories to verify legitimate numbers or find contact details of registered businesses.
| Directory | Type | Purpose |
| Bundesnetzagentur | Regulator | Official numbering allocations, consumer protection, and complaint submission. |
| Das Telefonbuch | Public Directory | Traditional national directory for residential and business numbers. |
| Das Örtliche | Regional Directory | Local contact listings searchable by region or area code. |
| Tellows.de | Community Platform | User-generated ratings of spam and scam calls in Germany. |
| WhoCallsMe.de | Community Lookup | Reports on suspicious numbers and telemarketing activity. |