Area Code 252 – Drochia

Geographic Overview and Administrative Coverage

The area code 252 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Drochia District in the Republic of Moldova. Drochia is a northern administrative region, bordering the districts of Dondușeni, Soroca, Florești, and Sângerei. The principal city, Drochia, serves as the district capital and is the primary hub for fixed-line telecommunications within this code. The code covers the urban center of Drochia and the surrounding rural localities, including villages such as Chetrosu, Nicoreni, and Popeștii de Sus, among others.

Dialing Formats and Number Structure

When calling a fixed-line subscriber in the Drochia area, the national subscriber number is composed of the area code followed by a local number. The complete national (trunk) format is:

• 0 252 XX XX X (when dialed within Moldova)

From abroad, callers must omit the trunk prefix 0 and use the country code for Moldova (+373). The international format becomes:

• +373 252 XX XX X

For example, a local number such as 2 34 56 would be dialed as 0 252 2 34 56 from within Moldova, and as +373 252 2 34 56 from any other country.

Caller Instructions

For local callers within Moldova: When calling from any fixed or mobile phone inside the country, you must always include the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code 252 and the subscriber's number. For example, to call a Drochia landline from Chișinău, dial 0 252 XXX XXX.

For international callers: Replace the leading 0 with the Moldovan country code +373. Thus, from the United States, the United Kingdom, or any other country, dial +373 252 XXX XXX. Ensure you use the correct international exit prefix (e.g., 011 from North America, 00 from most European countries) before the country code when dialing from a landline.

Regulatory and Technical Considerations

Moldova's numbering plan is administered by the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (ANRCETI). The 252 code is classified as a geographic allocation, meaning the number is tied to a physical location. However, with the advent of number portability, subscribers may retain their 252 number even if they relocate within Moldova, though the geographic association remains for routing purposes. Fixed-line services in this region are primarily provided by the national operator Moldtelecom, but alternative operators may also offer services using this code.

When dialing from a mobile phone, the call is treated as a national call to a fixed line, and tariffs may vary depending on the caller's plan. For emergency services, always dial 112 (European standard) or 901 (local emergency number) regardless of the area code.