Area Code 238 – Buzău
The phone area code for Buzău is 238 (international format +40238). 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 Buzău
Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction
The +40 238 country-code/area-code combination is the National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Buzău County in Romania. This geographic area code covers the entire county, including its capital city, Buzău, and all surrounding localities such as Râmnicu Sărat, Nehoiu, Pătârlagele, and Pogoanele. Administratively, the code falls under the jurisdiction of the Romanian National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM), which oversees the national numbering plan in accordance with ITU-T E.164 standards.
Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions
When calling a fixed-line number in Buzău from within Romania, subscribers must dial the national trunk prefix '0' followed by the area code '238' and the six-digit subscriber number. For example, a local call to a Buzău landline would be dialed as 0238 123 456. From abroad, callers must use the international access prefix (e.g., '00' in most European countries, or '+' from mobile devices), followed by Romania's country code '40', the area code without the leading '0' (i.e., '238'), and the six-digit subscriber number. Thus, the international format becomes +40 238 123 456.
Numbering Plan and Overlay Considerations
Romania's geographic numbering plan assigns each county a unique area code. The Buzău code '238' is not subject to any overlay or area code split; it remains the sole geographic code for the county. Subscriber numbers within this code are typically six digits long, resulting in a total national significant number (NSN) length of nine digits when including the area code (excluding the trunk prefix). This structure complies with the E.164 recommendation, which allows up to 15 digits.
Service and Usage Notes
Numbers under the 238 prefix are primarily used for fixed-line PSTN and VoIP services provided by various operators, including the incumbent Telekom Romania (formerly Romtelecom) and alternative carriers. Since the liberalization of the Romanian telecom market, subscribers can retain their geographic numbers when switching providers, thanks to number portability. However, the geographic nature of the code means that the number is tied to the Buzău region, and tariffs for calling these numbers are typically based on the caller's location and the type of service (fixed or mobile).
For businesses, having a 238 number establishes a local presence in Buzău, which can be beneficial for customer trust and regional marketing. It is also important to note that while VoIP services may use geographic numbers, the physical location of the subscriber may not necessarily be within the area code's coverage, but the number remains associated with Buzău for routing and billing purposes.