Area Code 22 – Shkodër

Overview of Albania's +355 22 Geographic Code

The country calling code +355 is assigned to the Republic of Albania by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) under the E.164 standard. Within the Albanian national numbering plan, the geographic area code 22 is designated as a National Destination Code (NDC) for the northern region of Shkodër. This code is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services and is geographically tied to the administrative jurisdiction of Shkodër County, which encompasses the city of Shkodër and its surrounding municipalities, including but not limited to Vau i Dejës, Pukë, and Fushë-Arrëz. The area is known for its historical significance and proximity to Lake Shkodër, the largest lake in Southern Europe.

Dialing Formats and Procedures

For callers within Albania, the national dialing format requires the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and the subscriber number. For example, to call a fixed line in Shkodër, one would dial:

• 0 22 XXX XXX (national format)

For international callers, the country code +355 is used, and the leading zero of the area code is omitted. The international format is:

• +355 22 XXX XXX

Thus, a complete international number would appear as +355 22 123 456 (where 123 456 is a placeholder for the actual subscriber number). It is important to note that Albanian fixed-line numbers typically have a total length of 8 digits after the country code, including the area code.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The Shkodër area code 22 serves the northern part of Albania, bordering Montenegro to the north and the Adriatic Sea to the west. The primary city, Shkodër, is one of Albania's oldest and most culturally significant cities. The code covers both urban and rural subscribers within the county, and it is administered by the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority (AKEP), the national regulatory body. As with most geographic codes, the prefix is used exclusively for fixed-line services; mobile numbers in Albania use separate non-geographic prefixes (e.g., 66, 67, 68, 69) and are not affected by this code.

Overlay Considerations and Number Portability

Currently, there is no overlay plan for the Shkodër area code; the 22 code is the sole geographic code for the region. However, Albania implemented fixed-line number portability, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when changing service providers within the same geographic area. This means that a number starting with 22 may not always indicate the physical location of the line, but it remains associated with the Shkodër exchange area for routing purposes.

Caller Instructions

For local callers within Shkodër: If you are calling another fixed line in the same area code, you may still need to dial the full national number (0 22 XXX XXX) depending on your operator's requirements. It is recommended to always use the full national format to avoid confusion.

For international callers: Replace the leading zero with the country code +355. Ensure you have the correct international exit code for your country (e.g., 00 from most European countries, 011 from the United States).

Always verify the subscriber number length, as Albanian fixed-line numbers are typically 7 digits after the area code, but some older lines may have fewer digits. When in doubt, consult the official AKEP numbering plan or your service provider.