Area Code 523 – Vilnius
The phone area code for Vilnius is 523 (international format +370523). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 523
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Vilnius
Geographic Overview
The +370 523 prefix is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Vilnius metropolitan area, the capital and largest city of Lithuania. This code is part of the country's closed numbering plan, where the full national significant number (NSN) consists of 8 digits, including the leading '5' that designates Vilnius. The '23' portion further refines the allocation to specific central office codes within the city's fixed-line PSTN network.
Coverage and Administration
Vilnius, the administrative center of Vilnius County, is the primary coverage area. The +370 523 prefix serves both residential and business subscribers within the city's geographical boundaries, including central districts and surrounding urban areas. As a geographic code, it is tied to physical locations, and calls are routed over the traditional circuit-switched PSTN or via VoIP services that emulate fixed-line numbering.
Dialing Formats
- National format (within Lithuania): Dial 8 523 XXXXX, where '8' is the trunk prefix for domestic calls, followed by the 3-digit area code and the 5-digit subscriber number.
- International format (from abroad): Dial +370 523 XXXXX, omitting the trunk prefix '8'. The plus sign represents the international access code, and the total number of digits after the country code is 8.
For example, a local Vilnius number might be formatted as +370 523 12345. When calling from a mobile phone within Lithuania, the same number can be dialed as +370 523 12345 or 852312345, depending on the operator's dialing rules.
Overlay and Numbering Considerations
Lithuania does not currently use overlay codes for Vilnius; the '5' area code is exclusive to the city. However, number portability allows subscribers to retain their +370 523 numbers when switching between fixed-line operators, which may result in the number being served by a different network than originally assigned. This does not affect the geographic association of the prefix.
Caller Instructions
- Local callers: Use the national format with the trunk prefix '8' when dialing from a fixed line. From mobile phones, you can typically dial the number in international format with +370 for simplicity.
- International callers: Replace the local trunk prefix with the +370 country code and drop any leading '8'. Ensure you have the correct international exit code for your country (e.g., 00 from most European countries, 011 from the US/Canada).
For example, a caller from the United Kingdom would dial 00 370 523 12345, while a caller from the United States would dial 011 370 523 12345.
Regulatory and Technical Notes
The Communications Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Lithuania (RRT) oversees the allocation and management of numbering resources. The +370 523 prefix is part of the national numbering plan compliant with ITU-T E.164 recommendations. Fixed-line numbers in Vilnius are primarily used for voice telephony, but they may also support fax and DSL services. As Lithuania continues to migrate to all-IP networks, some +370 523 numbers may be served via VoIP, but the geographic significance remains for emergency services and caller location identification.