Area Code 21 – Lisbon
The phone area code for Lisbon is 21 (international format +35121). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 21
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Lisbon
Geographic Context and Coverage
The +351 21 country-code/area-code combination is the primary geographic National Destination Code (NDC) for the Lisbon District and the surrounding Greater Lisbon region in Portugal. This includes the capital city of Lisbon and its metropolitan area, encompassing municipalities such as Amadora, Cascais, Loures, Oeiras, Sintra, and Vila Franca de Xira. The code serves both fixed-line PSTN and VoIP subscribers with numbers that are geographically tied to the Lisbon exchange areas. As a geographic code, it is regulated by ANACOM, Portugal's national communications authority, and is used exclusively for fixed-line services, not for mobile networks.
Dialing Formats and Procedures
For international callers, the full E.164 format is required: +351 21 XXX XXXX (or +35121XXXXXXX when dialed without spaces). For callers within Portugal, the national significant number (NSN) is 9 digits, and the trunk prefix '0' is used before the NDC: 0 21 XXX XXXX. However, within the Lisbon area itself, local calls can often be made using only the 7-digit subscriber number (XXX XXXX), though this practice is becoming less common with the prevalence of mobile and VoIP services. It is always safe to dial the full 9-digit number with the '0' prefix for national calls.
Numbering and Overlay Considerations
Portugal's fixed-line numbering plan does not currently use area code overlays; each geographic region retains a distinct NDC. The 21 code is one of several geographic codes assigned to Portugal, with 22 for Porto, 23 for other mainland regions, and 291 for Madeira. The subscriber number length within the 21 code is 7 digits, giving a maximum capacity of 10 million numbers, though not all are in service. Since 2002, number portability has been mandatory in Portugal, allowing fixed-line subscribers to retain their 21 numbers when switching between operators, even if they move outside the geographic area, which can lead to some numbers not being physically located in Lisbon.
Caller Instructions and Cost Implications
For local callers within Portugal, dialing a Lisbon number from another region requires the national prefix '0' followed by '21' and the 7-digit number. For example, to call Lisbon from Porto, dial 021 XXX XXXX. For international callers, dial the international access code (e.g., 00 from most countries, or '+' from mobile), then 351, then 21, and the 7-digit number. For instance, from the United States, dial 011 351 21 XXX XXXX. Charges for calls to 21 numbers are typically standard fixed-line rates, which may vary depending on the caller's operator and subscription plan. VoIP users may have different rates, but the number remains geographic.