Area Code 22 – Chisinau
The phone area code for Chisinau is 22 (international format +37322). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 22
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Chisinau
Geographic Overview
The area code 22 is the National Destination Code (NDC) for the capital city of the Republic of Moldova, Chișinău. This geographic code is assigned to the municipality of Chișinău and its surrounding suburban areas, which together form the largest urban agglomeration in the country. As the political, economic, and cultural hub, Chișinău hosts the headquarters of major national institutions, international organizations, and a dense concentration of businesses. The code is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services, including traditional analog lines, ISDN, and VoIP-based fixed telephony that is registered to a physical address within the covered area.
Dialing Formats
When calling a fixed-line number in Chișinău, the standard national format is 0 22 XXX XXX (where X represents a digit). The leading 0 is the trunk prefix used for domestic calls within Moldova. For international callers, the format is +373 22 XXX XXX, where +373 is the country calling code for Moldova. It is important to note that the trunk prefix 0 must be omitted when dialing from abroad.
Local vs. International Calls
- Local callers within Moldova (outside the 22 area) must dial 0 22 XXX XXX to reach a Chișinău number. If calling from a mobile phone, the same format applies, but the call may be charged at a national rate depending on the operator's plan.
- International callers should dial their international access code (e.g., 00 from most European countries, 011 from the US/Canada), followed by 373, then 22, and the six-digit subscriber number. For example, to call a number in Chișinău, you would dial +373 22 123 456.
Numbering and Overlay
Fixed-line numbers in Chișinău are seven digits long when including the area code (i.e., 22 + six digits). The subscriber number is six digits, giving a capacity of up to 1,000,000 numbers. Currently, there is no overlay code in Chișinău; the 22 code serves the entire metropolitan area. However, due to the growth of VoIP and mobile substitution, the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) has implemented number portability, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when changing operators, including moving from fixed to VoIP services, as long as the service remains within the same geographic area.
Practical Guidance
For businesses and individuals establishing a presence in Chișinău, obtaining a local 22 number is essential for building trust with local clients. Many companies also use these numbers for fax and alarm systems. When dialing from abroad, always verify the local time (EET/EEST) to avoid disturbing recipients. Additionally, be aware that some VoIP providers may offer non-geographic numbers, but these are not tied to the 22 code and may be subject to different dialing rules.