Area Code 31 – Berne
The phone area code for Berne is 31 (international format +4131). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 31
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Berne
Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction
The Swiss area code +41 31 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the canton of Berne (Bern) and its surrounding agglomeration. This includes the federal city of Berne, which serves as the political seat of Switzerland, alongside neighboring municipalities such as Köniz, Muri bei Bern, Ostermundigen, and Ittigen. The code covers both the urban core and the suburban districts within the canton's central region, extending to areas like Belp, Münsingen, and Worb. As a geographic code, it is tied to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) infrastructure of the Swisscom and alternative local carriers, and it is used for fixed-line services, including ISDN and VoIP-based fixed connections that register a physical address in the area.
Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions
For local callers within Switzerland, the number is dialed in the national format: 031 XXX XX XX (the leading '0' is the trunk prefix). For international callers, the format is +41 31 XXX XX XX or 0041 31 XXX XX XX from most countries. Subscriber numbers in the Berne area consist of seven digits after the area code, making the total national significant number (NSN) length nine digits (including the leading '0'). When calling from a foreign country, you must omit the trunk prefix '0' and use the country code +41. For example, a Berne landline number might be dialed as +41 31 123 45 67 from abroad, whereas a local caller would dial 031 123 45 67.
Overlay and Numbering Plan Considerations
Switzerland has not implemented overlay codes for geographic areas; each region retains its unique area code. The +41 31 code is exclusively used for the Berne region, and there are no plans for an overlay. However, number portability allows subscribers to retain their 031 numbers when switching to a different fixed-line operator, including cable or VoIP providers, as long as the service address remains within the geographic area. This means that a number with the 031 prefix may not necessarily be routed over the traditional PSTN but could be served by alternative infrastructure, yet it remains geographically associated with Berne.
Practical Usage and Examples
For businesses, having a 031 number reinforces a local presence in the Swiss capital, which is advantageous for government-related and administrative services. For tourists or expatriates, dialing a Berne number from abroad requires the international prefix of the originating country (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries) followed by 41 and then 31. For instance, from the UK, you would dial 00 41 31 123 45 67. It is important to note that calls to Swiss geographic numbers are typically charged at standard international rates, which vary by provider. Always verify the number length and format with your contact, as some organizations may list numbers without the area code for local dialing.