Area Code 966 – Alicante
The phone area code for Alicante is 966 (international format +34966). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 966
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Alicante
Geographic Scope and Administrative Jurisdiction
The +34 966 numbering block is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the province of Alicante, within the Valencian Community, Spain. It covers the southern and central parts of the province, including the city of Alicante and its metropolitan area, as well as municipalities such as Elche, Torrevieja, Benidorm, and Alcoy. The prefix is administered under the national numbering plan by the Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) and is allocated to fixed-line PSTN and VoIP services. Unlike mobile prefixes, 966 is tied to a specific geographic region, meaning that the physical location of the line is generally within the coverage area, although VoIP services may allow remote registration.
Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions
For local callers within Spain, the full nine-digit number (including the 966 prefix) must be dialed, as Spanish numbering does not use trunk prefixes. For example, to call a fixed line in Alicante, you would dial 966 123 456. International callers must use the country code and drop the leading zero (if any), resulting in +34 966 123 456. When dialing from a mobile phone in Spain, the same format applies, and there is no need to add an area code separately; the 966 prefix is an integral part of the subscriber number.
Overlay and Numbering Evolution
The 966 prefix is part of a series of area codes assigned to Alicante, including 965 and 966. These codes are not overlays in the traditional sense; rather, they are distinct NDCs that have been introduced to accommodate growth. The 966 code was introduced to provide additional numbering capacity, and both codes coexist within the same geographic region. Callers do not need to dial a different prefix based on the specific city; instead, the prefix is assigned to the subscriber's line. As of recent years, number portability allows fixed-line subscribers to retain their 966 number when switching providers, even if the new provider uses VoIP, but the number remains geographically associated with Alicante for routing purposes.
Regulatory and Technical Notes
Under the ITU-T E.164 recommendation, the Spanish country code is +34, and the national significant number (NSN) consists of nine digits. The 966 prefix is a geographic NDC, and its use is regulated to ensure that numbering resources are efficiently allocated. Calls to 966 numbers are typically charged as local or national fixed-line rates, depending on the caller's own tariff. For businesses, having a 966 number can enhance local presence and trust among customers in the Alicante region. It is important to note that while 966 is primarily for fixed lines, some VoIP providers may offer numbers with this prefix, but they must comply with the geographic routing rules.