Area Code 98 – Maranhão
The phone area code for Maranhão is 98 (international format +5598). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 98
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Maranhão
Geographic Coverage and Administration
The country code +55, followed by area code 98, routes calls to the Brazilian state of Maranhão (UF: MA). Specifically, prefix 98 is the National Destination Code (NDC) for the north-central and eastern portions of Maranhão, including the state capital, São Luís, and the surrounding metropolitan region. The area served encompasses the island of Upaon-Açu (where São Luís is located) and extends to mainland municipalities such as São José de Ribamar, Paço do Lumiar, and Raposa. This NDC also covers cities like Caxias, Timon, and Codó, which are situated along the Parnaíba River border with Piauí. The administrative jurisdiction falls under the Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL), which has designated this code for fixed-line (PSTN) services, though some VoIP and mobile numbers may also use it due to number portability.
Dialing Formats and Usage
For local calls within the 98 area, callers must dial the 8-digit subscriber number preceded by the area code? No, local calls within the same NDC require only the 8-digit number. However, for calls from other Brazilian area codes, the format is: 0 + operator code (e.g., 15 for Vivo, 21 for Embratel) + 98 + 8-digit number. International callers from outside Brazil should dial +55 98 followed by the 8-digit subscriber number. For example, to call a landline in São Luís from the United States, you would dial 011 55 98 3221-0000 (using a hypothetical number). It is important to note that since 2012, ANATEL has mandated the use of the digit '9' for mobile numbers, so a mobile number in São Luís would appear as +55 98 9XXXX-XXXX.
Overlays and Number Portability
Currently, there is no overlay code for the 98 region; the code serves exclusively the Maranhão area. However, number portability allows users to retain their numbers when switching operators, including moving from fixed to mobile services. This means that a number with the 98 prefix could be assigned to a mobile operator, even though 98 is traditionally a geographic code. Callers should be aware that the cost of a call to a 98 number depends on the destination type (fixed or mobile) and the carrier, not solely on the area code.
Instructions for Callers
For local callers within the 98 region, simply dial the 8-digit number. For long-distance calls from other Brazilian states, dial 0 + operator code + 98 + number. For international callers, dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 from many countries, 011 from the US/Canada), then 55, then 98, and the 8-digit number. Avoid omitting the area code when calling from a mobile phone, as some carriers may require the full national number. Always confirm the number length: fixed lines have 8 digits, while mobile numbers have 9 digits starting with 9.