Area Code 844 – Bizkaia
The phone area code for Bizkaia is 844 (international format +34844). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 844
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Bizkaia
Geographic Scope and Administrative Jurisdiction
The +34 844 numbering block is a geographic area code assigned to the province of Bizkaia (Vizcaya in Spanish), within the Basque Country (País Vasco) in northern Spain. This code serves the same territory as the more established 94 prefix, covering the provincial capital Bilbao (Bilbo in Basque) and its metropolitan area, as well as other key municipalities such as Barakaldo, Getxo, Portugalete, Santurtzi, and Basauri. The 844 designation was introduced as an overlay to provide additional numbering capacity for fixed-line services in this densely populated region, without requiring existing subscribers to change their numbers.
Dialing Formats and Usage
For callers within Spain, dialing a Bizkaia fixed-line number requires the national trunk prefix 0 followed by the full nine-digit number, which includes the area code. For example, a local call to a number in Bilbao would be dialed as 0 844 XXX XXX. However, when calling from abroad, the international format is used: +34 844 XXX XXX. The 844 code is exclusively used for fixed-line (PSTN) services, and it is not assigned to mobile networks. Mobile numbers in Spain always begin with 6 or 7 and are not geographic.
Overlay and Numbering Plan Considerations
The 844 prefix is an overlay on the traditional 94 area code. This means that both codes coexist within the same geographic area, and ten-digit dialing (including the area code) is mandatory for all calls, even local ones, to ensure correct routing. This overlay approach was implemented to meet the growing demand for fixed-line numbers without disrupting existing services. For businesses, having a number with the 844 prefix can be advantageous as it is recognized as a local number, fostering trust among regional customers. It also allows for the possibility of number portability, enabling subscribers to retain their 844 number when changing fixed-line operators.
Practical Guidance for Callers
If you are calling a Bizkaia fixed-line number from outside Spain, you must replace the international access code (00 or +) with the Spanish country code +34, followed by the nine-digit number. For instance, a call from the United States to a number in Bilbao would be dialed as 011 34 844 XXX XXX. When calling from a mobile phone, simply use the +34 prefix. It is important to note that while the 844 code is geographic, it is not associated with any specific mobile operator; therefore, it is not subject to mobile-specific tariffs. Calls to 844 numbers are typically charged as standard fixed-line rates, depending on your telecom provider and calling plan.