Area Code 22 – Rio de Janeiro

Overview of Area Code 22 (Brazil)

Area code 22 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) within the Brazilian telephone numbering plan, assigned under the country code +55. It serves the northern and northeastern regions of the state of Rio de Janeiro, covering a diverse area that includes both coastal cities and inland municipalities. The code is administered by ANATEL, Brazil's telecommunications regulatory authority, and is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services, as well as for mobile numbers that are allocated to this geographic region.

Geographic Coverage and Jurisdiction

The area code 22 encompasses a significant portion of the state, including the following key cities and regions:

• Campos dos Goytacazes – a major economic hub in the north, known for its petroleum industry.
• Macaé – the heart of Brazil's offshore oil exploration, often called the "national oil capital."
• Cabo Frio – a popular tourist destination on the coast.
• Araruama, Rio das Ostras, São Pedro da Aldeia, and Itaperuna – important municipalities within the region.

Administratively, the area is part of the state of Rio de Janeiro, but it is distinct from the capital city's metropolitan region, which uses area code 21. The region is characterized by a mix of urban centers, rural areas, and coastal tourism zones.

Dialing Formats and Procedures

For callers within Brazil, dialing a number in area code 22 requires the use of the national trunk prefix 0 followed by the carrier selection code (usually 15, 21, 23, 31, etc.), then the area code and the subscriber number. For example, to call a fixed line in Campos dos Goytacazes (number 2722-1234) from another Brazilian city, you would dial: 0 + carrier code + 22 + 2722-1234. For mobile numbers, the format is similar, but the subscriber number is 9 digits long, starting with 9 (e.g., 22 9 8123-4567).

For international callers, the dialing format is: +55 22 [subscriber number]. For instance, calling a fixed line in Macaé (number 2765-4321) from abroad would be +55 22 2765-4321. For a mobile phone, it would be +55 22 9 8123-4567. Note that the leading zero of the national trunk prefix is not used in international dialing.

Overlays and Numbering Considerations

Currently, area code 22 does not have an overlay code; it is the sole geographic code for this region. However, due to the growing demand for telecommunication services, ANATEL has implemented number pooling and conservation measures. All numbers within this area code are 8 digits for fixed lines and 9 digits for mobile lines, with mobile numbers always beginning with the digit '9'. When dialing locally within the same area code, it is still necessary to include the area code for all calls, as per Brazilian regulations, even for local calls. This ensures uniformity and facilitates number portability.

For callers, it is essential to verify the correct area code when placing calls to this region, as misdialing may result in connection to a different part of Brazil. Always use the full international format when calling from abroad to avoid errors.