Area Code 251 – Beverwijk

Overview of Area Code 251 (Beverwijk)

Area code 251 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) within the Netherlands' national numbering plan, conforming to ITU-T E.164 standards. It serves the municipality of Beverwijk and its surrounding communities in the province of North Holland. The code covers Beverwijk proper, as well as the towns of Wijk aan Zee, Heemskerk, and parts of the Uitgeest area. These localities are situated along the North Sea coast, just north of the North Sea Canal, and form part of the IJmond region.

Geographically, this area is distinct from the nearby Amsterdam metropolitan region, which uses area codes 20 and 6 (mobile). The 251 code is allocated for fixed-line PSTN and VoIP services, and it is not used for mobile networks. Mobile numbers in the Netherlands always begin with 6, followed by eight digits, and are non-geographic.

Dialing Formats

When dialing a number within the Netherlands, the national trunk prefix '0' is used before the area code. Thus, a local call from another Dutch region to Beverwijk would be dialed as 0251-XXX XXX, where 'X' represents the subscriber number. The subscriber number length within the 251 area is typically seven digits, but it may vary depending on the specific line configuration. For international callers, the country code +31 is used, and the leading '0' is dropped. The international format becomes +31 251 XXX XXX. For example, a local number might be 0251 123 4567, which would be dialed as +31 251 123 4567 from abroad.

Caller Instructions

For local callers within the 251 area, it is possible to dial the subscriber number without the area code if the call is within the same local calling area. However, it is always safe to include the area code to avoid confusion, especially with the increasing use of VoIP and number portability. For callers from other parts of the Netherlands, always use the full national format with the trunk prefix. For international callers, use the international format with the plus sign and country code.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest ITU-T and OPTA (now ACM) updates, there is no overlay code for the 251 area. The numbering plan is closed, meaning that the total number of digits for a national significant number (NSN) is fixed at nine digits (including the leading '0' for national dialing). Number portability is available, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when switching providers, but the geographic significance of the code remains tied to the original location.

For businesses, having a 251 number signals a local presence in the Beverwijk area, which can be beneficial for local customer trust. VoIP services can also provide virtual numbers with the 251 area code, enabling businesses outside the region to establish a local presence.