Area Code 243 – Santarém
The phone area code for Santarém is 243 (international format +351243). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 243
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Santarém
Geographic Overview
The +351 243 area code is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the district of Santarém, located in the central Ribatejo region of Portugal. This code covers the capital city of Santarém and its surrounding municipalities, including Almeirim, Alpiarça, Cartaxo, Chamusca, Coruche, Golegã, Rio Maior, Salvaterra de Magos, and Torres Novas. The region is known for its agricultural production, particularly wine and olives, and is served by a mix of urban and rural PSTN infrastructure.
Dialing Formats
When calling a fixed-line number in the Santarém area from within Portugal, subscribers must dial the full national number, which includes the area code followed by the seven-digit subscriber number. For example, a local call to a business in Santarém would be dialed as 243 XXX XXX. From abroad, callers must use the international format: +351 243 XXX XXX (or 00351 243 XXX XXX from most European countries). The leading '0' of the national code is omitted when dialing from outside Portugal.
Numbering Plan and Overlays
Portugal's national numbering plan, regulated by ANACOM (Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações), follows ITU-T E.164 recommendations. The 243 code is a geographic NDC, and subscriber numbers within this code are typically seven digits long, resulting in a total national significant number length of nine digits (including the NDC). Currently, there is no overlay code for the Santarém area; the 243 code serves the entire district. However, due to the increasing demand for fixed-line services, ANACOM has implemented number portability, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when switching operators, but the geographic significance of the code remains tied to the original location.
Caller Instructions
For local callers within the 243 area, it is essential to always include the area code, even for calls to nearby numbers, as per the Portuguese dialing rules. For international callers, ensure you have the correct country code (+351) and drop the leading '0' from the area code. When calling from a mobile phone, the same international format applies. It is also important to note that calls to this geographic code are typically charged at standard fixed-line rates, which may vary depending on the caller's operator and any applicable discounts.
For businesses and residents in the Santarém region, using the 243 code reinforces a local presence and can be a factor in customer trust. As Portugal continues to expand its fiber-optic network, many fixed-line services in this area now offer VoIP-based telephony, but the geographic numbering remains unchanged.