Area Code 295 – Sllovë/Zall-Dardhë/Zall-Reç/Kala e Dodes, Dibër

Overview of Albania's +355 295 Geographic Prefix

The international dialing prefix +355 295 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to a specific cluster of administrative units within the Dibër County of northeastern Albania. This numbering area encompasses the localities of Sllovë, Zall-Dardhë, Zall-Reç, and Kala e Dodës. These are rural, mountainous regions near the border with North Macedonia, characterized by dispersed settlements and a low population density. The prefix is used for fixed-line PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) services, and it is not associated with mobile or nomadic VoIP services.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Context

The 295 area code serves the administrative units that were formerly separate municipalities, now part of the larger Dibër Municipality following the 2015 territorial reform. Specifically, it covers the former communes of Sllovë, Zall-Dardhë, Zall-Reç, and Kala e Dodës. These areas are located in the Drin River valley and its tributaries, with the town of Peshkopi serving as the main urban center for the region. However, Peshkopi itself uses a different area code (218), so callers must dial 295 only for the designated rural exchanges.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

To call a fixed-line subscriber in the Sllovë/Zall-Dardhë/Zall-Reç/Kala e Dodës area, the following formats apply:

• Domestic calls (within Albania): Dial 0 295 XXX XXX. The leading '0' is the trunk prefix used to access the national network. The subscriber number is typically 7 digits long, but the total number of digits after the trunk prefix is 9 (including the area code). For example, a local number might be formatted as 0 295 123 456.
• International calls (from outside Albania): Dial your country's exit code, then 355 295 XXX XXX. Drop the leading '0' of the domestic format. For instance, from the US/Canada, you would dial 011 355 295 123 456; from most European countries, 00 355 295 123 456.
• Local calls (within the same area code): In many rural exchanges, local calls may still require dialing the full number including the area code, but this depends on the specific exchange. For clarity, always use the full domestic format.

Overlay and Numbering Plan Considerations

Albania's numbering plan is regulated by the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority (AKEP). As of the latest updates, there are no overlay codes for the 295 area, meaning that the geographic area is served exclusively by this code. The country's numbering plan is closed, and all fixed-line numbers have a uniform length of 9 digits (including the leading '0') for domestic dialing. When calling from abroad, the total number of digits after the country code is 9 (295 + 7-digit subscriber number).

Practical Information for Callers

For international callers, it is essential to verify the correct subscriber number, as rural areas may have limited directory listings. If you are trying to reach a business or residence in these localities, ensure that the number indeed starts with 295. Calls to this prefix are billed as standard international rates to Albania, which may vary by provider. For domestic callers, calls from mobile phones to this fixed-line prefix are typically charged at a higher rate than on-net mobile calls, so it is advisable to check with your operator for applicable tariffs.