Area Code 18 – Nis
The phone area code for Nis is 18 (international format +38118). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 18
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Nis
Geographic Overview
The +381 18 area code is the geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the city of Niš and its surrounding administrative region in the Republic of Serbia. Niš, located in the southern part of the country, is the third-largest city in Serbia and serves as the administrative center of the Nišava District. The code covers the urban area of Niš, including municipalities such as Medijana, Palilula, Pantelej, and Crveni Krst, as well as nearby towns and villages within the Nišava District. As a geographic code, it is used exclusively for fixed-line (PSTN) services, including traditional analog lines, ISDN, and fixed VoIP services that are registered to a physical address within the covered area.
Dialing Formats
When calling a Niš landline from within Serbia, subscribers must dial the trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code 18 and the subscriber's 6- or 7-digit local number. For example, a local number such as 1234567 would be dialed as 018 1234567 from other parts of Serbia. From abroad, callers must use the international access prefix (typically + or 00), followed by the country code 381, the area code 18 (without the leading zero), and the local number: +381 18 1234567. Within the Niš area, local calls can be made using only the subscriber number, but due to the introduction of closed numbering plan in Serbia, it is recommended to always use the full national format for consistency.
Regulatory and Technical Considerations
The allocation and management of the +381 18 code fall under the jurisdiction of the Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (RATEL). As of recent years, there have been no overlay codes for Niš; the 18 code remains the sole geographic code for the region. However, number portability allows subscribers to retain their numbers when switching between fixed-line operators, which means that a number with the 18 prefix may be served by any licensed operator. For international callers, it is important to note that the leading zero is never dialed when using the international format. Additionally, while VoIP services are widely used, a number with the +381 18 code is considered geographic, and emergency services (112) are reached by dialing the national emergency numbers (192, 193, 194) regardless of the prefix.
Practical Guidance for Callers
For local callers within Niš: dial the subscriber number directly if using a fixed line within the same exchange, but for clarity and to avoid misdialing, it is advisable to dial the full national number (018 xxx xxxx). For callers from other Serbian cities: dial 018 followed by the local number. For international callers: dial +381 18 followed by the local number, omitting the initial zero. Always verify the number of digits, as local numbers in Niš may vary between 6 and 7 digits depending on the exchange and service type. When calling from a mobile phone in Serbia, the same national format applies: 018 + local number.