Area Code 226 – Noord Scharwoude

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The +31 226 area code is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the northern part of the province of North Holland in the Netherlands. It serves the municipality of Dijk en Waard, which was formed in 2022 by the merger of Heerhugowaard and Langedijk. The code covers the towns of Noord Scharwoude, Zuid Scharwoude, Broek op Langedijk, Sint Pancras, and the urban center of Heerhugowaard. This region is part of the West Frisian dialect area and lies approximately 40 kilometers north of Amsterdam.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

Within the Netherlands, calls to numbers in the +31 226 area code require dialing the trunk prefix 0 followed by the NDC and the subscriber number. The complete national format is 0 226 XXXX XX, where the subscriber number is seven digits long. For example, a local call to a business in Noord Scharwoude would be dialed as 0226 123 4567.

For international callers, the leading zero is omitted. The international format is +31 226 XXX XX XX. For instance, a caller from the United States would dial 011 31 226 123 4567, while a caller from the United Kingdom would dial 00 31 226 123 4567. It is essential to replace the initial 0 with the country code +31 when dialing from abroad.

Numbering Plan and Overlay Considerations

As of 2024, the +31 226 area code is not part of an overlay complex. Subscriber numbers within this NDC are seven digits long, and the area code is used exclusively for fixed-line services. The Netherlands' national numbering plan follows ITU-T E.164 recommendations, and the maximum total length for a Dutch phone number is 12 digits, including the country code.

Since the merger of Heerhugowaard and Langedijk, there have been no changes to the dialing procedures. However, users should be aware that the area code covers both the former municipalities, and local calls between them are charged at local rates.

Practical Guidance for Callers

When calling a number in the +31 226 area code from a mobile phone within the Netherlands, it is common to dial the full national number, including the 0 trunk prefix. For international callers, using the plus sign (+) followed by the country code is recommended for compatibility with mobile networks and VoIP services. For example, +31 226 123 4567 is the most reliable format.

Businesses in the region often list their numbers in international format on websites and marketing materials to facilitate contact from global clients. Always verify the complete number, as the seven-digit subscriber number is essential for successful routing.