How To Call Brazil From Singapore

Quick Reference Summary

To call Brazil from Singapore:

• Landline: 001 + 55 + Area Code (2 digits) + Local Number (8 digits)
• Mobile: 001 + 55 + Area Code (2 digits) + 9 + Mobile Number (8 digits)

Examples:

• For São Paulo landline (Area Code 11): 001 + 55 + 11 + XXXX XXXX
• For Rio de Janeiro mobile (Area Code 21): 001 + 55 + 21 + 9 XXXX XXXX

When it’s 7 PM in Singapore, it’s 8 AM in Brasília (Brazil’s main time zone, 11 hours behind). (Brazil spans multiple time zones, ranging from 10 to 13 hours behind Singapore. Brasília Time, UTC-3, covers major cities like Rio and São Paulo).

How to Call a Landline in Brazil

Calling a Brazilian landline from Singapore requires the correct sequence:

1. Dial Singapore’s international access code: 001 (or 002, 008 depending on your phone company)
2. Dial Brazil’s country code: 55
3. Dial the 2-digit Brazilian area code (e.g., 11 for São Paulo, 21 for Rio de Janeiro).
4. Dial the 8-digit local phone number.

For example, if you’re calling a São Paulo number written as (11) 1234-5678, you would dial 001 55 11 1234 5678 from Singapore.

Important Note: Unlike some countries, Brazil typically does not use a leading ‘0’ for domestic long-distance calls that needs to be dropped for international calls. You dial the area code directly after the country code 55.

How to Call a Mobile Phone in Brazil

Calling a Brazilian mobile phone has a specific format due to the addition of an extra digit (‘9’) nationwide:

1. Dial Singapore’s international access code: 001 (or 002, 008)
2. Dial Brazil’s country code: 55
3. Dial the 2-digit Brazilian area code.
4. Dial the digit 9. This digit is mandatory for all mobile calls in Brazil.
5. Dial the remaining 8 digits of the mobile number.

For example, if the Brazilian mobile number is (21) 91234-5678 (often written with the ‘9’ already included), you would dial 001 55 21 9 1234 5678 from Singapore.

Key Point: Always include the digit ‘9’ after the area code when calling a Brazilian mobile number from abroad.

Different Ways to Dial Internationally from Singapore

Singapore offers several international access codes depending on your provider:

• 001: SingTel
• 002: M1
• 008: StarHub

Using different codes might result in different charges from your standard phone provider. When using a phone card, such as those from Singapore Phone Cards, always use the local access number provided with the card for the best rates.

Understanding Brazilian Phone Numbers

Landline Numbers

• Brazilian landline numbers consist of a 2-digit area code followed by an 8-digit local number.
• Format: (XX) XXXX-XXXX

Mobile Numbers

• Brazilian mobile numbers consist of a 2-digit area code, followed by the digit ‘9’, and then an 8-digit mobile number.
• Format: (XX) 9XXXX-XXXX
• The addition of the ‘9’ as the first digit of the local number distinguishes mobile from landline numbers and is required for all mobile calls.

Major Brazilian Area Codes

Brazil is a large country with many area codes. Here are some for major cities:

Time Difference

Brazil has four main time zones, and the difference with Singapore (UTC+8) is significant:

1. Fernando de Noronha Time (FNT): UTC-2 (Islands) – 10 hours behind Singapore.
2. Brasília Time (BRT): UTC-3 (Most populated areas including Rio, São Paulo, Brasília, South, Northeast) – 11 hours behind Singapore.
3. Amazon Time (AMT): UTC-4 (Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Rondônia, Roraima, most of Amazonas) – 12 hours behind Singapore.
4. Acre Time (ACT): UTC-5 (State of Acre, southwest Amazonas) – 13 hours behind Singapore.

Important Note: Brazil officially stopped observing Daylight Saving Time in 2019. Therefore, these time differences generally remain constant throughout the year. Always double-check the specific region’s time zone in Brazil before calling.

Special Numbers to Know

• Emergency Numbers:
  • 190: Military Police
  • 192: Ambulance (SAMU)
  • 193: Fire Department
  • These numbers cannot be dialed from outside Brazil.
• Toll-Free: Numbers often start with 0800. These are typically free within Brazil but may not be reachable from Singapore, or could incur international charges.

Calling Business Extensions

When calling a Brazilian business with an extension:

1. Dial the full international number (including area code and local number).
2. Wait for the automated attendant (likely in Portuguese) or receptionist to answer.
3. Enter the extension (Ramal in Portuguese) when prompted.

Be prepared for automated systems primarily in Portuguese, although some international businesses may offer an English option.

Best Time to Call

Due to the large time difference (11 hours for major cities), communication requires planning:

• The best overlap for standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM – 6 PM Brazil Time / BRT) is during Singapore’s late evening and night (roughly 8 PM SGT to 5 AM SGT).
• Singapore 8 PM = 9 AM in Brasília/Rio/São Paulo.
• Singapore 12 AM (Midnight) = 1 PM in Brasília/Rio/São Paulo.
• Calling from Singapore during your morning or afternoon will likely reach Brazil in the middle of the night.

Always confirm the local time in the specific Brazilian city before placing your call.

Call Brazil For Less With Singapore Phone Cards

Standard international call rates to Brazil from Singapore can be very high. Singapore Phone Cards offers a cost-effective alternative with the Cheap Cheap Phone Card, providing excellent rates for both landlines and mobiles.

Cheap Cheap Phone Card – Brazil Landline Rate:

• Rate: 6.5 ¢/min (SG$)
• Connection Fee: Nil
• Billing Increment: 3 min

Price	Talk Time (to Brazil Landlines)
SG$ 5.00	1h 16min
SG$ 10.00	2h 31min
SG$ 20.00	5h 7min
SG$ 50.00 + SG$5.00 bonus	14h 4min

Cheap Cheap Phone Card – Brazil Mobile Rate:

• Rate: 16.9 ¢/min (SG$)
• Connection Fee: Nil
• Billing Increment: 3 min

Price	Talk Time (to Brazil Mobiles)
SG$ 5.00	28min
SG$ 10.00	58min
SG$ 20.00	1h 58min
SG$ 50.00 + SG$5.00 bonus	5h 25min

Buy the Cheap Cheap Phone Card here

See all our best phone cards for calling Brazil here

Using our service is refreshingly simple:

1. Dial the local Singapore access number provided with your card.
2. Enter your 10-digit PIN number when prompted.
3. Dial the Brazilian number:
   • For Landline: 55 + Area Code + Local Number
   • For Mobile: 55 + Area Code + 9 + Mobile Number

Why choose Singapore Phone Cards for your calls to Brazil?

• Call over 200+ countries, connecting you to anywhere in Brazil.
• Use from any landline or mobile phone in Singapore at the same low rates.
• Transparency guaranteed: No hidden fees or unexpected connection charges.
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