Area Code 255 – Caraș-Severin

Geographic Overview

The +40 255 country and area code combination is assigned to the Caraș-Severin County in southwestern Romania. This geographic numbering area covers the administrative seat Reșița, along with major towns such as Caransebeș, Oravița, Moldova Nouă, and Anina. The region is part of the historical Banat area and borders Serbia to the south and west. The code is used for fixed-line telephone services (PSTN) within the county, and it is allocated by the National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications of Romania (ANCOM).

Dialing Formats

When calling a fixed-line number in Caraș-Severin from within Romania, subscribers must dial the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code 255 and the subscriber number. For example, a local number in Reșița might be dialed as 0255 123 456. From abroad, callers must use the international access prefix (typically 00 or +), followed by the country code 40, the area code without the leading 0, and the subscriber number: +40 255 123 456. It is important to note that the Romanian numbering plan uses variable-length subscriber numbers, so the total length after the area code can vary between 5 and 7 digits, depending on the exchange.

Geographic Significance

The 255 area code is strictly geographic, meaning that the tariff for calls to these numbers is based on the caller's location and the distance to the called party. Calls from mobile networks to 0255 numbers are typically charged at higher rates than on-net mobile calls, and they are subject to the mobile operator's national call rates. The code is not portable to other geographic regions; if a subscriber moves to a different county, they must obtain a new number with the appropriate area code. However, number portability within the same geographic area is possible, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when switching fixed-line operators.

Usage and Availability

This area code is used by residential and business customers, including public administration offices, schools, and local enterprises. As with many fixed-line services in Romania, the number of traditional PSTN lines has been declining due to the migration to VoIP and mobile-only households. Nevertheless, the 0255 code remains essential for local businesses that want to maintain a regional presence and for callers who prefer to reach local services at geographic rates. When dialing from a mobile phone, callers can use either the full national format (0255...) or the international format (+40 255...), depending on their operator's settings.