Area Code 262 – Caldas da Rainha

Geographic Overview

The +351 262 area code is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the western region of Portugal, primarily serving the city of Caldas da Rainha and its surrounding municipalities. This area, located in the Oeste subregion of the Centro region, includes localities such as Óbidos, Peniche, Bombarral, and Nazaré. The code covers a mix of urban centers and coastal towns, with Caldas da Rainha being the administrative and commercial hub.

Dialing Formats

When dialing a number within Portugal, the national format requires the trunk prefix '0' followed by the area code and the subscriber number. For example, a local call to a landline in Caldas da Rainha would be dialed as 262 XXX XXX (where X represents the 7-digit subscriber number). Internationally, callers must use the country code +351 and omit the leading '0', resulting in +351 262 XXX XXX. This format applies to both fixed and mobile calls originating from abroad.

Numbering Structure

Portuguese geographic numbers are 9 digits long, including the leading '0' of the area code. The structure is: 0[NDC] [Subscriber Number], where the NDC for Caldas da Rainha is '262' and the subscriber number consists of 7 digits. This numbering plan adheres to ITU-T E.164 recommendations, ensuring global interoperability.

Regulatory and Overlay Considerations

The 262 area code is administered by ANACOM, Portugal's national regulatory authority. Currently, there is no overlay code in this region, meaning that the 262 code is the sole geographic code for the area. However, number portability allows subscribers to retain their numbers when switching between fixed-line operators, which may result in numbers being served by different providers than originally assigned.

Caller Instructions

For local callers within the 262 area, dialing the 9-digit national number (including the '0') is sufficient. For callers from other regions in Portugal, the same national format applies. International callers should replace the leading '0' with the +351 country code. It is important to note that calls to geographic numbers are typically charged at standard landline rates, which may vary depending on the caller's operator and tariff plan.

Businesses and residents in the Caldas da Rainha area often use these numbers for customer service and administrative lines. When contacting Portuguese entities from abroad, always verify the correct international prefix for your country (e.g., 00 from most European countries) before dialing +351 262.