Area Code 278 – Bicaj/Topojan/Shishtavec, Kukës

Overview of Albania's +355 278 Geographic Prefix

The +355 278 prefix is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned within the Republic of Albania's national numbering plan, as administered by the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority (AKEP). It corresponds to a specific cluster of towns and administrative units in the northeastern part of the country, primarily serving the municipalities of Bicaj, Topojan, and Shishtavec, all located within the Kukës County (Qarku i Kukësit). This region is characterized by its mountainous terrain near the borders with Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The prefix 278 is allocated to the Kukës district's rural and semi-urban exchanges. Specifically, it covers the following administrative units:

• Bicaj – a municipality situated southeast of Kukës town, known for its agricultural communities and scenic valleys.
• Topojan – a small administrative unit located in the southern part of Kukës County, near the Black Drin river.
• Shishtavec – a highland municipality bordering Kosovo, part of the larger Tropojë region historically, but now under Kukës County.

These areas are served by traditional copper-line PSTN infrastructure, though many subscribers have migrated to VoIP-based fixed services. The geographic nature of the code means that calls to 278 numbers are tariffed as domestic fixed-line calls within Albania, regardless of the caller's location within the country.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

To call a fixed-line subscriber in the Bicaj/Topojan/Shishtavec area, the following formats apply:

• Domestic calls (within Albania): Dial the trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code 278, and then the subscriber's 6-digit local number. Example: 0 278 XXX XXX (where X represents the local digits).
• International calls (from abroad): Dial the international access prefix (e.g., 00 from most countries, or +), then Albania's country code 355, followed by the area code 278 (without the leading 0), and the 6-digit subscriber number. Example: +355 278 XXX XXX.

It is important to note that Albania uses an open dialing plan: the leading '0' is only used for domestic calls. When dialing from a mobile phone within Albania, you must still include the '0' before the area code, as the call is routed to the fixed network.

Overlays and Numbering Changes

As of the latest AKEP updates, there are no overlay codes for the 278 area. The numbering plan is stable, and no changes are anticipated in the near future. However, with the ongoing migration to IP-based telephony, some subscribers may have number portability, meaning a number with the 278 prefix could theoretically be assigned to a different geographic location, but in practice, it remains tied to the Kukës region.

Practical Advice for Callers

For local callers within the same area code, it is sometimes possible to dial only the 6-digit subscriber number, depending on the local exchange configuration. However, to ensure connectivity, it is recommended to always use the full domestic format. For international callers, verifying the correct local number length is crucial; Albanian fixed numbers typically have 6 digits after the area code. If you encounter difficulties, contact your service provider for assistance with international dialing.