Area Code 525 – Southern Morocco

Geographic Overview and Coverage

The +212 525 prefix is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the southern region of the Kingdom of Morocco. This area encompasses major urban centers such as Agadir, Inezgane, Taroudant, Tiznit, and Ouarzazate, as well as the surrounding provinces within the Souss-Massa and Drâa-Tafilalet administrative regions. The code serves both fixed-line PSTN subscribers and, in some cases, fixed-wireless or VoIP services that are geographically tied to this zone. As with all Moroccan geographic codes, the prefix is regulated by the Agence Nationale de Réglementation des Télécommunications (ANRT).

Dialing Formats and Procedures

For international callers, the complete E.164 format is: +212 525 XX XX XX (or +212525XXXXXX when dialed without spaces). The national significant number is nine digits long, comprising the NDC (525) followed by a six-digit subscriber number. When dialing from within Morocco, callers must include the leading trunk prefix '0' before the NDC, resulting in the format: 0 525 XX XX XX. This applies to both local and long-distance calls within the country; omitting the '0' will result in a failed call.

For example, a subscriber in Agadir with the number 82 34 56 would be dialed as:

• International: +212 525 82 34 56
• Domestic (within Morocco): 0525 82 34 56

Overlay and Numbering Evolution

Morocco has implemented an overlay strategy for geographic codes to accommodate growing demand. The southern region is also served by the +212 528 prefix, which covers similar areas. This means that new subscribers in the same geographic area may be assigned numbers under either 525 or 528. Consequently, local calls between these codes are considered local calls and do not incur long-distance charges, but callers must still dial the full 10-digit number (including the '0') even for calls within the same city. This is a crucial detail for both residents and businesses to avoid dialing errors.

Practical Guidance for Callers

For international callers: Replace the '+' with your country's international exit code (e.g., '00' from most of Europe, '011' from the US/Canada). Then dial 212 (Morocco's country code), followed by 525 and the six-digit subscriber number. Do not dial the Moroccan trunk prefix '0'.

For callers within Morocco: Always dial '0' before the NDC, even if you are calling from a mobile phone. The full domestic format is 0525 XX XX XX. If you are unsure whether a number is geographic or mobile, note that mobile numbers in Morocco begin with 06 or 07 (e.g., +212 6XX XXX XXX), while geographic numbers begin with 05.

For businesses: When listing a southern Morocco contact on your website or marketing materials, always use the international format (+212 525...) to ensure accessibility for global customers. Also, be aware that number portability allows subscribers to retain their geographic number even if they move to a different operator, but the number's geographic association remains tied to the original location.