North Macedonia ☎️ Landline / Geographic

Area Code 42 – Gostivar

The phone area code for Gostivar is 42 (international format +38942). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.

Current Local Time

03:36:53

UTC • UTC +00:00

Full Dialing Format

+38942

Population 83,725

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Admin Region Gostivar

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Elevation 878m

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GPS Coordinates 41.7931, 20.8322

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📍 Geographic Location of Gostivar

Geographic Overview

The area code 42 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) within the North Macedonian numbering plan, designated for the city of Gostivar and its surrounding municipalities in the Polog statistical region. Gostivar, situated in the western part of the country along the Vardar River, is an important economic and cultural hub. The code covers the urban area of Gostivar and nearby settlements, including Vrutok and Čegrane, serving both fixed-line PSTN and VoIP subscribers with a geographic presence.

Dialing Formats

When calling a Gostivar fixed-line number from within North Macedonia, subscribers must dial the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code 42 and the subscriber number. The complete national format is: 0 42 XXX XXX (where X represents the local subscriber digits). For example, a local number such as 123 456 would be dialed as 042 123 456 from anywhere in the country.

International callers must replace the leading zero with the country calling code for North Macedonia, +389, and drop the trunk prefix. Thus, the international dialing format becomes: +389 42 XXX XXX. For instance, the same number would be dialed as +389 42 123 456 from abroad.

Caller Instructions

Local callers (within Gostivar): In many cases, local calls may be placed using only the subscriber number (7-digit local format) if the network supports it, but for clarity and reliability, it is recommended to always use the full national format, especially when calling from mobile networks.
National callers (outside Gostivar): Dial 042 XXX XXX.
International callers: Dial your country's international access prefix (e.g., 00 from most European countries, or 011 from the US/Canada), followed by 389 42 XXX XXX.

Regulatory and Technical Notes

The North Macedonian numbering plan is administered by the Agency for Electronic Communications (AEC). Geographic area codes are allocated for fixed-line services, and numbers under the 42 NDC are typically 7 digits long after the area code, resulting in a total national significant number (NSN) length of 8 digits (excluding the trunk prefix). Since the liberalization of the telecom market, subscribers may have their fixed-line number ported to alternative operators, but the geographic significance of the code remains tied to the original location. VoIP services may also use geographic numbers, but the physical location of the caller may not correspond to the code's region. Always verify the current number range with your service provider for accurate billing and emergency services routing.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the area code for Gostivar, North Macedonia?

The area code for Gostivar is 42. When dialing from within North Macedonia, you use the trunk prefix 0, so the full national format is 042 XXX XXX. From abroad, you dial +389 42 XXX XXX.

How do I call a Gostivar number from another country?

To call a Gostivar number from abroad, dial your country's international access code (e.g., 00 or 011), then the North Macedonia country code 389, then the area code 42 without the leading zero, followed by the 7-digit subscriber number. For example: +389 42 123 456.

Is the 42 area code only for landlines?

Yes, the 42 area code is a geographic code primarily assigned to fixed-line services (PSTN and VoIP). Mobile numbers in North Macedonia use non-geographic prefixes starting with 7, such as 70, 71, 72, etc.

Can I keep my Gostivar number if I move to another city?

Number portability allows you to keep your number when changing operators, but geographic numbers are typically tied to the original location. If you move to a different area code region, you may be required to change your number, depending on the operator's policy and the availability of number portability across geographic areas.

What is the length of a Gostivar phone number?

A Gostivar fixed-line number consists of the area code 42 followed by a 7-digit subscriber number, resulting in a total of 9 digits when including the trunk prefix 0 (i.e., 042 XXX XXX). Internationally, it is +389 42 XXX XXX, which is 12 digits including the +389 country code.