Area Code 13 – Linköping

Geographic Overview

The Swedish area code +46 13 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the city of Linköping and its surrounding municipalities in Östergötland County. Linköping serves as the administrative seat of Östergötland and is one of Sweden's major technological and educational hubs, home to Linköping University and a thriving aerospace, defense, and IT industry. The code covers a contiguous region that includes localities such as Mjölby, Boxholm, and parts of the surrounding countryside, though not the entire county—neighboring cities like Norrköping use the separate code +46 11.

Dialing Formats

Within Sweden, calls to numbers in the Linköping area are placed using the national trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code and the subscriber number: 013-XXX XXX. The subscriber number length varies between 6 and 7 digits, depending on the specific exchange and service. For example, a local number might appear as 013-12 34 56 or 013-123 456 7.

From outside Sweden, callers must use the international access prefix (typically 00 or +), followed by Sweden's country code 46, then the area code without the leading zero, and the subscriber number: +46 13 XXX XXX. For instance, a call from the United States to Linköping would be dialed as 011 46 13 123 456.

Caller Instructions

Local callers within the Linköping area can often dial just the subscriber number for local calls, but for clarity and to avoid misdials, it is recommended to use the full national format. When calling from a mobile phone in Sweden, the national format 013-XXX XXX is always required, as mobile networks do not interpret local numbers without the area code.

For international callers, it is crucial to omit the leading zero of the area code when dialing after the country code. Thus, +46 13 is correct, while +46 013 is invalid.

Numbering Plan Considerations

Sweden's numbering plan is regulated by the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS). The +46 13 code is a geographic code, meaning that numbers are tied to a physical location. However, due to number portability, a subscriber may have moved to another region while retaining their +46 13 number. Conversely, a business located in Linköping might use a non-geographic number. Callers should be aware that the area code does not guarantee the caller's actual location, but it does indicate the original geographic assignment.

There are no overlay codes in this region; the 013 code is the sole geographic code for Linköping. All new landline numbers in the area are assigned under this code, and there are no plans for an overlay as of the latest PTS updates.