Area Code 289 – Ulëz/Rukaj/Derjan/Macukull, Mat

Overview of Area Code 289 (Albania)

Area code 289 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Mat region in north-central Albania. Specifically, it covers the municipalities and administrative units of Ulëz, Rukaj, Derjan, and Macukull, which are part of the wider Mat administrative area. The code is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services within this territory. When dialing from abroad, the international format is +355 289 XXX XXX, where the leading zero of the domestic trunk prefix is omitted.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Context

The Mat region is situated in the northern part of Albania, bordered by the Dibër and Lezhë counties. The towns and villages under the 289 prefix are located along the Fan River valley and near the Ulëz Reservoir, an area known for its mountainous terrain and hydroelectric infrastructure. Administratively, these units belong to the Bashkia Mat (Mat Municipality), with its seat in the town of Burrel. However, Burrel itself uses a different area code (217), so 289 is specifically dedicated to the more rural and dispersed settlements of Ulëz, Rukaj, Derjan, and Macukull. This distinction is important for call routing and for businesses or residents who need to identify the correct dialing prefix.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

• Domestic calls (within Albania): Dial 0 289 XXX XXX. The leading 0 is the trunk prefix used for all national calls.
• International calls (from abroad): Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 from most European countries, 011 from the US/Canada), followed by 355 289 XXX XXX. Do not include the leading 0.
• Local calls (within the same exchange area): In many cases, local calls may be made using only the subscriber number (XXX XXX) without the area code, but this depends on the specific telecom operator's local dialing rules. For clarity, it is recommended to always use the full national format.

Subscriber numbers in this area consist of seven digits after the country code, making the total length of an international number 12 digits (including the +355). No overlay codes have been introduced for this region, so 289 remains the sole geographic code for these localities.

Practical Considerations for Callers

For foreign callers, it is essential to verify the correct number of digits. Albanian fixed-line numbers are generally 7 digits after the NDC, but some older lines may have fewer digits. If you encounter a number with fewer than 7 digits, it may be an older line that has not been migrated to the current numbering plan. In such cases, contact the Albanian operator or the called party to confirm the correct format. Additionally, be aware that while VoIP services are increasingly used in Albania, numbers assigned to geographic codes like 289 are still associated with physical locations, and emergency services (112) should be dialed without any area code.