Area Code 595 – Qukës/Rajcë, Librazhd

Overview of Albania's +355 595 Geographic Prefix

The +355 595 prefix is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the region encompassing Qukës and Rajcë, within the administrative jurisdiction of the Librazhd District in eastern Albania. This area is part of the Elbasan County, situated along the valley of the Shkumbin River, and is known for its mountainous terrain and the historic Via Egnatia route. The prefix is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services, connecting subscribers to the public switched telephone network.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Context

The 595 code serves a primarily rural and semi-urban area, including the town of Qukës and the surrounding villages of Rajcë and nearby settlements. Librazhd, the district capital, is approximately 20 kilometers to the northeast. This code is distinct from the Tirana (4) and Durrës (11) metropolitan codes, reflecting its provincial designation. Local administrative and business lines in this area typically use the 595 prefix, followed by a subscriber number of variable length, resulting in a total national significant number (NSN) of 8 or 9 digits when including the prefix.

Dialing Formats and Instructions

To call a fixed-line subscriber in Qukës or Rajcë from within Albania, you must dial the trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code and the local subscriber number. For example, if the local number is 12345, you would dial 0 595 12345. From abroad, you need to dial the international access code (e.g., 00 from most countries), then Albania's country code 355, followed by the area code without the leading zero, and the subscriber number. Thus, the same number would be dialed as +355 595 12345. It is crucial to omit the initial '0' when calling from outside Albania.

Caller Instructions and Overlay Considerations

For local callers within the same area code, it is often possible to dial only the subscriber number, depending on the local exchange configuration. However, for clarity and to avoid misdialing, it is recommended to always use the full national format (0 595 XXXXX). As of the latest ITU-T E.164 guidelines, no overlay code has been introduced for this region, so the 595 prefix remains the sole geographic identifier for this area. Foreign callers should be aware that Albanian fixed-line numbers are not mobile numbers; thus, they cannot be reached via SMS. If you are calling from a mobile phone, you may incur international roaming charges, and the call will be routed as a standard international call.

For businesses or individuals in Qukës and Rajcë, having a local 595 number enhances local presence and can reduce costs for customers calling from within the region. When dialing from abroad, always verify the current dialing procedures with your telecom provider, as some countries require different exit codes.