Area Code 238 – Seia
The phone area code for Seia is 238 (international format +351238). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 238
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Seia
Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction
The area code 238 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the municipality of Seia, located in the Guarda District of the Centro region of Portugal. This code covers the city of Seia and its surrounding civil parishes, including the Serra da Estrela sub-region, which is part of the larger Serra da Estrela Natural Park. The administrative jurisdiction falls under the Intermunicipal Community of Beiras and Serra da Estrela. The code serves both residential and business fixed-line subscribers within this defined geographic area.
Dialing Formats and Number Structure
In the international format, numbers are dialed as +351 238 XXX XXX, where +351 is the country calling code for Portugal, 238 is the NDC, and the subscriber number consists of six digits. When calling domestically from within Portugal, callers must dial 238 XXX XXX (without the leading zero, as Portugal uses a closed dialing plan). The total length of a national significant number (NSN) is nine digits, including the NDC but excluding the country code.
Calling Instructions
- From a foreign country: Dial the international access prefix (e.g., 00 or +), then 351, then 238, followed by the six-digit subscriber number. Example: +351 238 123 456.
- From a Portuguese fixed or mobile line: Dial 238 followed by the six-digit subscriber number. Example: 238 123 456.
Overlay and Numbering Plan Considerations
As of the latest ITU-T E.164 national numbering plan, there is no overlay code for the 238 area. The code is exclusively assigned to the Seia geographic region, and no other NDC shares the same geographic coverage. However, number portability allows subscribers to retain their 238 numbers when switching to a different fixed-line operator, provided they remain within the same geographic area. This means that a number starting with 238 does not necessarily indicate the current operator, but it does indicate the original geographic allocation.
Regulatory and Technical Notes
The allocation of the 238 code is managed by ANACOM, the Portuguese national regulatory authority. Fixed-line numbers in this code are primarily used for PSTN and VoIP services. VoIP providers may offer numbers with the 238 prefix to customers who have a physical presence in the Seia area, but the service is location-independent in terms of routing. Callers should be aware that calls to 238 numbers are charged according to the caller's tariff plan, and international callers will incur international rates as determined by their service provider.