Area Code 244 – Leiria
The phone area code for Leiria is 244 (international format +351244). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 244
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Leiria
Geographic Scope and Administrative Jurisdiction
The +351 244 area code is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the central-western region of Portugal, specifically the district of Leiria. This area encompasses the city of Leiria and its surrounding municipalities, including Marinha Grande, Batalha, Porto de Mós, and Ourém. Administratively, the code falls under the jurisdiction of ANACOM, Portugal's national regulatory authority for communications, which oversees the allocation and management of the national numbering plan in accordance with ITU-T E.164 standards.
Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions
For local callers within Portugal, the number is dialed as 244 XXX XXX, omitting the country code and the leading trunk prefix '0'. When calling from abroad, the international format is +351 244 XXX XXX, where the '+' represents the international access prefix (00 in most countries) followed by Portugal's country code 351 and the area code without the leading zero. For example, a landline in Leiria might be +351 244 123 456.
Callers within the same NDC can often dial the subscriber number directly without the area code, depending on the local dialing plan. However, for clarity and to avoid misdialing, it is recommended to always include the area code when dialing from a mobile phone or from outside the region.
Overlay and Numbering Considerations
As of the latest ANACOM updates, there is no overlay code for the 244 area; the code remains exclusive to the Leiria district. Subscriber numbers under this NDC are typically 6 digits long, resulting in a total national significant number length of 9 digits (including the leading '2' of the area code). This structure aligns with the Portuguese numbering plan, which mandates a fixed length for geographic numbers to ensure efficient routing and interoperability.
Services and Usage
The 244 code is used for fixed-line PSTN and VoIP services, with numbers allocated to residential, commercial, and government subscribers. It is also used for fax and dial-up internet services, though these are declining. Businesses in the region often use these numbers to establish a local presence, which can be beneficial for customer trust and local SEO. For callers, charges to 244 numbers are typically at standard national rates, depending on the caller's own service provider.
Practical Tips for Callers
When calling a Leiria number from a foreign country, always replace the leading '0' of the area code with the country code and international access prefix. For instance, from the UK, you would dial 00 351 244 XXX XXX. From the US, it would be 011 351 244 XXX XXX. Ensure you have the correct number of digits; missing a digit may route your call to a different region or result in an invalid number.