Area Code 251 – Älvdalen

Overview of Area Code 251 (Älvdalen, Sweden)

Area code 251 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) within the Swedish national numbering plan, governed by the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) in accordance with ITU-T E.164 recommendations. This code serves the Älvdalen region, located in the western part of Dalarna County (Dalarnas län) in central Sweden. The area is known for its vast forests, lakes, and the scenic Österdalälven river, encompassing the central town of Älvdalen and surrounding localities such as Rot, Evertsberg, and Idre.

Geographically, the 251 area code covers a sparsely populated but expansive territory, including parts of the Scandinavian Mountains near the Norwegian border. The region is a popular destination for winter sports and outdoor tourism, which influences the demand for reliable telecommunications services.

Dialing Formats

When calling a landline in Älvdalen from within Sweden, the national trunk prefix 0 is used, followed by the area code and the subscriber number. The complete national format is:

• 0 251 XX XX XX (where XX XX XX represents the 6-digit local subscriber number).

For international callers, the Swedish country code +46 is used, and the leading trunk prefix '0' is omitted. The international format is:

• +46 251 XX XX XX

For example, a local number in Älvdalen might be dialed as 0251-123 45 nationally (using a shorter local format) or +46 251 123 45 from abroad. It is important to note that Swedish geographic numbers typically have 7 to 8 digits in total (including the area code), but the subscriber number length may vary.

Geographic Significance and Numbering

Area code 251 is a geographic code, meaning that the number is tied to a physical location and is primarily used for fixed-line PSTN and VoIP services. The code is assigned to the Älvdalen exchange area, and numbers are allocated to local telecommunications operators. As with all geographic codes in Sweden, number portability allows subscribers to retain their numbers when switching providers, but the geographic association remains for routing purposes.

There are no known overlay codes or recent changes to the 251 area code; it remains a distinct NDC for the region. Callers from outside Sweden should always use the international prefix (e.g., 00 from most European countries) followed by 46 and the area code without the leading zero.

Practical Guidance for Callers

For local callers within Älvdalen, it is common to dial only the subscriber number for local calls, but using the full national format is always safe. For international callers, ensure you have the correct country code and omit the trunk prefix. Mobile phone users in Sweden can dial the full national number, and the call will be routed to the fixed network.

Understanding the correct dialing format is essential for businesses and individuals who frequently contact the region, especially for tourism-related services, local government offices, and commercial enterprises.