Area Code 231 – Thessaloniki
The phone area code for Thessaloniki is 231 (international format +30231). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 231
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Thessaloniki
Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction
The area code 231 is the National Destination Code (NDC) for the Thessaloniki metropolitan area, the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia. This geographic code serves the urban core of Thessaloniki, including the municipal units of Thessaloniki, Kalamaria, Neapoli-Sykies, Pavlos Melas, Kordelio-Evosmos, and Ampelokipi-Menemeni. The code also covers the immediate suburban and peri-urban areas that form the continuous urban sprawl of the Thessaloniki metropolitan complex. As a geographic allocation under the Greek national numbering plan, the 231 code is tied to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and is used for fixed-line services, including traditional copper lines, fiber-optic connections, and fixed wireless access. The administrative jurisdiction falls under the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT), which oversees the allocation and management of numbering resources in Greece.
Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions
For callers within Greece, 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 Thessaloniki from Athens, you would dial: 0 231 2345678. The subscriber number in the 231 area code consists of seven digits, making the total national significant number (NSN) length ten digits (including the leading 0). For international callers, the country code for Greece is +30, and the leading trunk prefix 0 is omitted. Thus, a caller from the United States, the United Kingdom, or any other country would dial: +30 231 2345678. It is important to note that the plus sign (+) represents the international access prefix, which varies by country (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries).
Overlay Considerations and Numbering Plan
Currently, the 231 area code does not have an overlay code; it is the sole geographic code for Thessaloniki. However, due to the increasing demand for fixed-line services, EETT has implemented number conservation measures, but as of the latest updates, no overlay has been introduced. Subscriber numbers within the 231 code are allocated to multiple service providers, allowing customers to choose their fixed-line operator while retaining the same geographic number. This is facilitated by local loop unbundling and wholesale line rental agreements. For callers, this means that dialing a 231 number is always a local call when made from within the same area code, regardless of the service provider. Calls from mobile networks to 231 numbers are charged at national fixed-line rates, which are typically lower than mobile-to-mobile rates.
Practical Examples and Usage
To illustrate, consider a business in Thessaloniki with the number 231 5550123. A local caller in Thessaloniki would dial 231 5550123 (without the trunk prefix 0, as it is a local call). A caller from another Greek city, such as Patras, would dial 0231 5550123. An international caller from Germany would dial 0030 231 5550123 or +30 231 5550123. This code is essential for businesses, government offices, and residents in Thessaloniki, and it is widely recognized across Greece. For any inquiries regarding number portability or service availability, users should contact their respective service providers.