St. Barthélemy +590

St. Barthélemy, commonly known as St. Barths, is a French overseas collectivity nestled in the Caribbean’s Leeward Islands. Despite its small size—roughly 21 square kilometers—the island boasts a highly developed telecommunications infrastructure that aligns with French and European standards. The country code +590 is shared with the French territories of Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy, but each has distinct numbering ranges and dialing protocols. For international callers, understanding the nuances of St. Barthélemy’s telephony is essential for seamless connectivity, whether you are placing a business call to a luxury resort, contacting a private villa, or reaching a local artisan.

The island uses the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) format, despite being a French territory. This means that local numbers are typically seven digits, and the full international dialing sequence involves the country code +590 followed by the seven-digit subscriber number. However, because St. Barths is part of the French postal and telecom system, calls from France and other French departments may be treated as domestic calls, depending on the carrier. This dual identity—French administrative oversight and Caribbean geographic proximity—creates a unique dialing environment that requires careful attention.

Dialing Instructions for St. Barthélemy

To call a St. Barthélemy number from abroad, you must follow a specific sequence that depends on your origin country. The general format is: International Access Prefix + 590 + Local Number. For example, from the United States, you would dial 011 590 590 123 456 (if the local number is 590 1234, but note that the local number itself may begin with 590 due to the NANP overlay). Actually, the correct dialing is: 011 590 590 1234? Let’s clarify: The country code is 590, and local numbers are seven digits. In St. Barths, local numbers often start with '590' as part of the subscriber number, leading to a double '590' when dialing from abroad. For instance, a number might be written as +590 590 12 34 56. This is not a mistake—the first 590 is the country code, and the second 590 is the beginning of the local number. Always include all digits after the country code.

For callers from within the Caribbean or countries using the NANP (like the US, Canada, and many Caribbean islands), the dialing pattern is simplified. You would dial 1 590 590 1234, treating it as a North American long-distance call. However, this is only applicable if your carrier supports NANP routing to French territories. In practice, many international callers use the standard international format with the +590 prefix. For calls from France, you can often dial the number directly without the international access code, using the same +590 format or even a domestic French routing, depending on your operator. Always check with your service provider for the most cost-effective method.

Area Codes and Numbering Plan

St. Barthélemy does not have traditional area codes like those found in larger countries. Instead, the entire territory uses a single numbering plan area under the +590 country code. However, due to the NANP integration, the island’s numbers are part of a broader Caribbean numbering plan that also includes Saint Martin and Guadeloupe (though Guadeloupe has its own country code +590 as well, but with different numbering). To distinguish between St. Barths and Saint Martin, the leading digits of the seven-digit subscriber number play a role. Typically, St. Barthélemy numbers begin with 590 (as in +590 590 xxxxxx), while Saint Martin numbers often begin with 590 as well, but the inter-island dialing may require special codes. In practice, when dialing from one island to the other, you must use the full +590 and the number, but be aware that some numbers may be migrated to a new system. As of 2023, the French regulatory authority (ARCEP) has implemented a unified numbering plan for Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy, all under country code +590, but with distinct number ranges assigned to each territory. For St. Barths, the range typically falls within +590 590 00 00 to +590 590 99 99, but this is not absolute.

For international callers, the key is to obtain the complete number from the recipient, including the local prefix. Many businesses and residents list their numbers as +590 590 xxxxxx, which includes the country code and the local number’s leading digits. For example, the tourism office might be listed as +590 590 27 00 00. When dialing, you simply replace the '+' with your international access code (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from Europe). There is no need to drop any leading zero because the local number does not include a trunk prefix like '0'—it is already in NANP format. This is a common point of confusion for callers from countries with different numbering plans.

Special Dialing Rules and Considerations

One of the most important special rules for St. Barthélemy is the seamless integration with the French fixed and mobile networks. If you are calling from mainland France, you might be able to dial St. Barths numbers as if they were domestic, using the format 0590 590 xxxx? Actually, this is incorrect because French domestic numbers use a leading 0. For overseas departments and collectivities, the French dialing plan uses the same country code +590, but from mainland France, you must dial the full international format: 00 590 590 xxxxxx (or +590). Some operators allow you to dial simply 590 590 xxxxxx without the 00, but this is not standard. Always use the +590 format for reliability.

Another consideration is mobile phones. St. Barthélemy uses GSM/UMTS/LTE networks, and mobile numbers are also seven digits, often starting with 690 or 690 (depending on the carrier). When dialing a mobile number from abroad, you use the same country code +590, followed by the seven-digit number. For example, +590 690 12 34 56. There are no separate area codes for mobile vs. fixed lines, but the leading digits help identify the type. Toll-free and premium numbers are not commonly used, but if you encounter them, they follow the same international format.

For travelers and businesses, it is crucial to note that St. Barthélemy has a limited number of landlines, and most communications are via mobile. The island is served by a single telecom operator, Orange Caraïbe (formerly France Telecom), which provides both fixed and mobile services. There are no competing local carriers, so roaming agreements are essential for visitors. When making international calls from St. Barths to other countries, you use the standard international prefix (00) followed by the destination country code. For example, to call the US from St. Barths, you dial 00 1 [area code] [number].

Traveler and Business Tips for St. Barthélemy

For travelers, staying connected in St. Barthélemy is relatively straightforward, but expect premium costs due to its remote island status. Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, villas, restaurants, and even some public areas, but coverage can be spotty in more secluded parts. If you plan to use your mobile phone, check with your home provider for international roaming rates, which can be high. Alternatively, consider purchasing a local prepaid SIM card from Orange Caraïbe, which offers data and voice packages tailored to visitors. You will need an unlocked phone and a valid ID to purchase a SIM. The local numbers for prepaid SIMs are in the +590 range, and you can top up at various kiosks.

For business communications, it is advisable to use VoIP services (e.g., Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom) for international calls to minimize costs, as these rely on data. However, be aware that some VoIP services may be blocked or degraded due to network restrictions, but in practice, they generally work well. When scheduling calls, remember that St. Barthélemy is on Atlantic Standard Time (AST, UTC-4) year-round, with no daylight saving time. This is the same as Eastern Daylight Time in the US during summer, but one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time in winter. Plan your calls accordingly to avoid disturbing clients or partners.

Businesses operating on the island should ensure that their contact numbers are displayed correctly on websites and marketing materials. Use the international format +590 590 xxxxxx (for fixed) or +590 690 xxxxxx (for mobile) to avoid confusion. Also, verify that your telecommunications provider supports clear routing for calls from both France and the Americas, as this dual market can lead to misrouting. Finally, for emergency services, dial 112 (European standard) or 15 for medical emergencies (SAMU), 17 for police, and 18 for fire, but these numbers are not for international callers—they are for use within the territory.