Area Code 260 – Praia, Santiago
The phone area code for Praia, Santiago is 260 (international format +238260). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📍 Geographic Location of Praia, Santiago
Geographic Overview
The area code 260 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the capital city of Praia, located on the island of Santiago in Cape Verde. As part of the national numbering plan, this code routes calls to fixed-line subscribers within the Praia metropolitan area, which includes the administrative and economic heart of the country. Santiago is the largest island in the archipelago, and Praia serves as the seat of the national government, hosting key institutions, businesses, and international embassies.
Dialing Formats
When calling a fixed-line number in Praia from within Cape Verde, subscribers must dial the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and the subscriber's local number. The national format is:
- 0 260 XXX XXX (where X represents the local subscriber digits)
For international callers, the country calling code +238 replaces the trunk prefix. The international format becomes:
- +238 260 XXX XXX
For example, a typical fixed-line number in Praia might be dialed as +238 260 123 456 from abroad, or 0 260 123 456 from within Cape Verde.
Geographic Allocation and Numbering
Under the ITU-T E.164 recommendation, the NDC 260 is geographically allocated to the Praia region. This means that the code is tied to a physical location and is not portable outside the designated area. The number length for fixed-line services in Cape Verde is typically 7 digits after the country code, including the NDC. This structure ensures efficient routing and numbering resource management.
Caller Instructions
Local callers within Cape Verde must always include the trunk prefix 0 when dialing any fixed-line number, even if calling from within the same area code. This is a standard practice in many national numbering plans to avoid ambiguity and ensure proper call routing.
International callers should omit the leading 0 and use the full international dialing sequence: exit code (e.g., 00 from most countries), then 238, then 260, followed by the subscriber number. For example, a caller from the United Kingdom would dial 00 238 260 123 456.
Overlay and Future Considerations
Currently, there are no overlay codes in the Praia area; the 260 code is exclusively used for the capital region. However, as demand for telecommunication services grows, the regulatory authority may introduce additional numbering resources. Subscribers and businesses should stay informed about any potential changes to dialing procedures.