Area Code 73 – Chebba/Hamman-Sousse/Khenis/Mahdia/Monastir/Sousse

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The Tunisian national destination code (NDC) 73 is a geographic area code assigned under the country calling code +216, as defined by the ITU-T E.164 recommendation. This prefix serves the central-eastern coastal region of Tunisia, encompassing the governorates of Sousse, Monastir, and Mahdia. Major cities and towns within this numbering area include Sousse (the regional capital), Monastir, Mahdia, Hammam-Sousse, Khenis, and Chebba. The area is a significant economic and tourist hub, featuring ports, historic medinas, and resort complexes.

Dialing Formats and Number Structure

In the Tunisian national numbering plan, geographic numbers are eight digits long, including the leading '7' of the area code. The format is 73 XX XX XX when dialed domestically. For international callers, the full number must be dialed as +216 73 XX XX XX (or 00216 73 XX XX XX from countries using the international prefix 00). The '73' is an integral part of the subscriber number; it cannot be omitted when dialing from abroad. Within Tunisia, callers must always dial the full eight-digit number, even for local calls, as there are no local dialing shortcuts or trunk prefixes (such as '0') in use.

Overlay and Numbering Plan Considerations

Currently, there is no overlay code for the 73 area. The Tunisian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (INTT) has not introduced an additional NDC for this region, meaning that all fixed-line subscribers in the Sousse-Monastir-Mahdia area share the 73 prefix. The numbering plan is closed, and all geographic numbers are eight digits. It is important to note that mobile numbers in Tunisia also begin with '2', '4', '5', or '9' and are not tied to geographic regions; therefore, a number starting with 73 is always a fixed-line service.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within Tunisia): Dial the eight-digit number directly, e.g., 73 456 789.
• International callers: Dial your country's international access code (e.g., 00, 011), followed by Tunisia's country code 216, then the eight-digit number: +216 73 456 789.
• Callers from mobile phones: The same dialing rules apply; no additional prefix is required.

When providing a Tunisian number to international contacts, always include the +216 country code and drop any leading '0' (though Tunisian numbers do not use a trunk prefix). For example, a number in Sousse might be written as +216 73 123 456.