Area Code 39 – Northern Cyprus

Overview of +90 39

The +90 39 prefix is a geographic area code within the Turkish national numbering plan, allocated to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Although the TRNC is a separate political entity, it is integrated into Türkiye's telecommunication network under the ITU-T E.164 country code +90. This means that calls to Northern Cyprus are treated as domestic calls from Türkiye, but as international calls from all other countries. The prefix +90 39 is used for fixed-line services in the region, serving both residential and business customers.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The +90 39 code covers the entire island of Cyprus north of the United Nations buffer zone. Major cities and districts served include Nicosia (Lefkoşa), Famagusta (Gazimağusa), Kyrenia (Girne), Morphou (Güzelyurt), and Trikomo (İskele). These areas are administered by the TRNC, which operates its own telecommunications authority, the Northern Cyprus Telecommunication Company (Kıbrıs Telekom). Despite this, numbering and routing are coordinated with Turkish authorities, and the +90 39 prefix is recognized internationally as part of Türkiye's numbering plan.

Dialing Formats and Instructions

For callers within Türkiye, dialing a Northern Cyprus fixed line requires only the national trunk prefix and the area code: 0 39 XXX XX XX. For example, to reach a number in Nicosia, you would dial 0 392 123 45 67 (where 392 is the actual subscriber prefix within the 39 code). For international callers, the format is +90 392 XXX XX XX or +90 39 XXX XX XX depending on the exact number structure. It is important to note that the leading '0' is dropped when dialing from abroad. Local callers within Northern Cyprus may also use the 8-digit local number directly, but this is less common due to the integration with the Turkish network.

Number Structure and Overlay Considerations

Numbers under the +90 39 prefix are typically 12 digits long when dialed internationally (including the +90 country code). The prefix itself is a geographic code, and within it, there are further subdivisions. For instance, the Nicosia area uses 392 as a central office code, while other districts may use 394 or 396. There are no overlay codes in Northern Cyprus; the 39 prefix is the sole geographic code for the region. However, as the demand for fixed lines grows, new central office codes are being introduced within the 39 range to accommodate new subscribers.

Caller Instructions and Practical Tips

When calling from a foreign country, always use the international access code of your country (e.g., 00 from most European countries, 011 from the US) followed by 90 and then the 39 prefix and the local number. For example, from the UK, you would dial 00 90 392 123 45 67. From the US, it would be 011 90 392 123 45 67. Be aware that calls to Northern Cyprus from outside Türkiye are typically billed at international rates, which may be higher than domestic Turkish rates. If you are traveling in Northern Cyprus, you can use local SIM cards or VoIP services to reduce costs. Always verify the exact number with your contact, as the transition from older 7-digit numbers to newer 8-digit formats has occurred in some areas.