Area Code 517 – Rio Grande do Sul
The phone area code for Rio Grande do Sul is 517 (international format +55517). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 517
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Rio Grande do Sul
Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction
The +55 517 area code is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Specifically, it serves the central and eastern mesoregions of the state, including the municipalities of Santa Cruz do Sul, Venâncio Aires, Lajeado, and Encantado, among others. These cities are part of the Vale do Rio Pardo and Vale do Taquari regions, which are known for their strong tobacco, footwear, and food processing industries. The code is administered by the National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) and is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services, including traditional copper lines, cable telephony, and VoIP-based fixed services that are registered to a physical address within the covered area.
Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions
For local callers within the 517 area code, the standard dialing format is the eight-digit subscriber number, which typically begins with a central office code (e.g., 3711-XXXX for Santa Cruz do Sul). When calling from another area code in Brazil, the format is: 0 + operator code + 51 + 7-digit number (note that the area code is 51, not 517; the '7' is the first digit of the subscriber number). For example, to call a number in Santa Cruz do Sul from São Paulo, you would dial: 0 15 51 3711-XXXX. For international callers, the format is: +55 51 3711-XXXX. It is crucial to note that the area code is 51, not 517; the '7' is part of the subscriber number. This common misconception arises because the full national significant number (NSN) is 11 digits, starting with '51', and the first digit of the local number is often '7' in this region. Always verify the complete number with the recipient.
Overlay and Numbering Plan Considerations
As of 2025, the 51 area code does not have an overlay; it serves a defined geographic area. However, due to the growth of fixed and mobile services, ANATEL has implemented number portability, allowing users to retain their numbers when changing operators or moving within the same area code. For VoIP services, the geographic location of the IP connection may not match the area code, but for emergency services and regulatory compliance, the registered address must be within the 51 region. When dialing from mobile phones, it is common to include the area code even for local calls, as per Brazilian dialing guidelines. Always use the full 11-digit format for calls from mobile networks to ensure proper routing.