Area Code 20 – Dubrovnik-Neretva

Overview of +385 20

The country calling code +385 is assigned to Croatia under the ITU-T E.164 international numbering plan. Within Croatia, the National Destination Code (NDC) 20 is a geographic area code that serves the Dubrovnik-Neretva County, located in the southernmost part of the country along the Adriatic coast. This region is known for its historic cities, including Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the port city of Ploče. The area code covers the administrative districts of Dubrovnik, Metković, Korčula, Lastovo, and the Pelješac peninsula.

Geographic Coverage and Administration

The +385 20 numbering area is administered by the Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM). It is a geographic code, meaning that the tariff and routing are based on the physical location of the subscriber's line. The code is used for both fixed-line PSTN and VoIP services that are registered to an address within the Dubrovnik-Neretva County. The primary cities and towns served include Dubrovnik, Cavtat, Ston, Orebić, and the islands of Korčula and Mljet.

Dialing Formats and Instructions

For callers within Croatia, the local dialing format requires the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and the subscriber number. For example, to call a fixed line in Dubrovnik, you would dial: 0 20 XXX XXX. The subscriber number is typically 6 digits long, making the total national significant number (NSN) 8 digits (excluding the trunk prefix).

For international callers, the format is: +385 20 XXX XXX (or 00 385 20 XXX XXX from most countries). When dialing from abroad, the leading 0 of the trunk prefix is omitted. For example, a caller from the United States would dial 011 385 20 XXX XXX.

It is important to note that Croatia has implemented the EU's harmonized emergency number 112, which is accessible from any phone, including mobile devices, regardless of the area code.

Overlays and Numbering Changes

Currently, there is no overlay code for the Dubrovnik-Neretva area, meaning that the 20 code is the sole geographic code for this region. However, due to the increasing demand for numbers, HAKOM has implemented number portability, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when changing operators within the same geographic area. This does not affect the dialing format.

Practical Tips for Callers

When calling a Dubrovnik-Neretva number from a mobile phone within Croatia, it is essential to include the trunk prefix 0 even if you are in the same area code, as mobile networks require full national dialing. For international callers, always verify the correct exit code for your country. Additionally, be aware that calls to geographic numbers are typically charged at standard national rates, which may vary depending on your operator and tariff plan.