Area Code 12 – Yerevan

Overview of Armenia's Area Code 12

Area code 12 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the capital city of Yerevan within the Armenian numbering plan, which is governed under the international country calling code +374 (ITU-T E.164). This code is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services, including traditional copper lines and, in many cases, fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) services that provide voice over IP (VoIP) connectivity. The geographic allocation means that the code identifies a physical location, and calls routed to numbers beginning with +374 12 terminate at a subscriber line within the Yerevan metropolitan area.

Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

Yerevan is not only the capital but also the largest city in Armenia, serving as the country's political, economic, and cultural hub. The area code 12 covers the entire city of Yerevan, including its twelve administrative districts: Ajapnyak, Arabkir, Avan, Davtashen, Erebuni, Kanaker-Zeytun, Kentron, Malatia-Sebastia, Nor Nork, Nork-Marash, Nubarashen, and Shengavit. Subscribers within this code are directly connected to the Yerevan telephone exchange network, which is operated primarily by the national incumbent telecom operator, but since the liberalization of the telecommunications market, alternative operators may also provide fixed-line services using this code.

Dialing Formats and Procedures

Understanding the correct dialing procedure is essential for both local and international callers.

• Local calls (within Armenia): When calling a fixed-line number in Yerevan from another fixed or mobile line within Armenia, you must dial the full national significant number (NSN), which includes the trunk prefix '0', the area code '12', and the subscriber number. For example, if the subscriber number is 345678, you would dial: 0 12 345678. The trunk prefix '0' is used to access the national network.
• International calls (from outside Armenia): To reach a Yerevan fixed-line number from abroad, you need to dial the international access prefix of the originating country (typically '00' or '+'), followed by Armenia's country code 374, then the area code 12 without the leading '0', and finally the subscriber number. For the same example, you would dial: +374 12 345678.

Number Length and Formatting

Armenian fixed-line numbers in Yerevan consist of a total of 8 digits, including the area code. The subscriber number is 6 digits long. Thus, the complete international format is +374 12 XXX XXX, where X represents a digit. When writing the number, it is common to separate the area code and subscriber number with a space or hyphen for readability, but the actual dialing sequence does not include any separators.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest numbering plan updates, there is no overlay code for Yerevan; the 12 code is the sole geographic code for the city. However, with the growth of VoIP and mobile services, some subscribers may have numbers that are not tied to a physical location, but those are allocated under different non-geographic codes. For fixed-line services, number portability is available in Armenia, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when changing operators, but the geographic significance of the code remains unchanged.

Caller Instructions

For local callers: Always include the trunk prefix '0' when dialing a Yerevan fixed-line number from any other part of Armenia, including mobile phones. Failure to do so may result in an invalid call. For international callers: Remember to drop the leading '0' when dialing from abroad. Also, be aware that international call charges apply, and the cost may vary depending on your service provider. It is advisable to check with your operator for specific rates to Armenia.