Area Code 245 – Portalegre

Overview of Area Code 245 (Portalegre, Portugal)

Area code 245 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) within the Portuguese public switched telephone network (PSTN), allocated under the country's calling code +351. It serves the district of Portalegre, located in the Alto Alentejo subregion of mainland Portugal. The code covers the city of Portalegre and its surrounding municipalities, including but not limited to Alter do Chão, Arronches, Avis, Campo Maior, Castelo de Vide, Crato, Elvas, Fronteira, Gavião, Marvão, Monforte, Nisa, Ponte de Sor, and Sousel. These areas are served by fixed-line operators, with incumbent provider MEO (Altice Portugal) historically holding the majority of local loops, though alternative carriers (e.g., Vodafone, Nos) also operate via unbundled local loops and wholesale access.

Dialing Formats and Call Routing

Within Portugal, calls to Portalegre numbers require dialing the national significant number (NSN) which comprises the area code 245 followed by a 7-digit subscriber number, resulting in a total of 9 digits after the trunk prefix. The international format for calling from abroad is +351 245 XXX XXXX (or +351245XXXXXXX when dialed as a continuous string). For example, a local number in Portalegre might be 245 300 100; from a foreign country, you would dial +351 245 300 100. When calling from a Portuguese mobile or fixed line outside the 245 area, you must include the area code, even for local calls within Portugal. There are no overlay codes in this region; the 245 code is exclusive to the Portalegre district.

Regulatory and Numbering Plan Context

Portugal's numbering plan is regulated by ANACOM (Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações). Geographic codes are assigned based on district boundaries, and number portability allows subscribers to retain their numbers when changing providers within the same geographic area. However, geographic numbers are generally tied to a physical address; if a subscriber moves outside the 245 area, they typically must obtain a new number with the appropriate local code. For callers, it is important to note that calls to 245 numbers from within Portugal are typically charged at standard fixed-line rates, while international callers will incur international tariffs as determined by their home operator. Emergency services (112) are always free and accessible regardless of location.

Practical Guidance for Callers

For local callers within Portalegre, dialing the full 9-digit number (including the 245 prefix) is mandatory, as short-code dialing is not used in Portugal. For international callers, always replace the leading zero of the area code with the country code +351. For example, if you are calling from the United States, you would dial 011 351 245 XXX XXXX. Ensure you have the correct subscriber number, as the 7-digit portion is essential for routing. Businesses in Portalegre often list their numbers in international format on websites and directories to facilitate global communication.