Have you ever received a call from an unknown number and wondered where it came from? Nowadays, identifying the origin of a call is essential for security, to avoid unwanted calls, or simply to know if it's an important communication. Understanding the Telephone prefixes of Spain by province It has become a very useful tool for both individuals and companies.
In this comprehensive and updated guide, you'll find everything you need to know about the structure of telephone numbers in Spain, the list of prefixes by province, the main changes in numbering, how to distinguish between landlines, mobile phones, premium rate numbers, and much more. We'll also show you Helpful tips for identifying potential spam or scam calls and we'll help you learn how to avoid overcharges on your phone bill.
How is a telephone number formed in Spain?
Every phone number in Spain provides relevant information about its originThe usual structure of Spanish numbering is as follows:
- 9 digits for all lines, both fixed and mobile.
- For landlines, numbers begin with 9 o 8Traditionally, numbers began with 9, but due to the exhaustion of combinations, prefixes beginning with 8 have also been used for some time.
- The mobile They usually start with 6, although there are also mobiles that start with 7.
- The international prefixes They are indicated by the symbol “+” followed by the country code. In the case of Spain, the prefix is +34.
If you receive a call that doesn't include +34 as the prefix, it's an international call. Be careful with these numbers, as returning the call can incur a significant additional charge. Here you can learn how to identify the country of origin of a number.
Detailed structure of fixed numbering and its relationship with geography
In Spain, landline numbers are organized territorially. first three digits (the prefix) allows you to identify the province from which the call is made. Some provinces, due to line saturation, incorporate several prefixes that begin with either 9 or 8. Furthermore, in the most populated provinces or those with high demand, it is common to find more than one prefix assigned.
Beyond the provincial prefix, within each municipality, the next two digits (the fourth and fifth of the total number) are usually shared by the same locality. Finally, the last four digits identify the specific subscriber number, whether individual or business.
Complete list of fixed telephone prefixes in Spain by province
Below we offer you the most up-to-date and comprehensive list of provincial telephone prefixes, integrating both traditional numbers and new ones assigned due to overcrowding in certain regions. We include the matching of prefixes beginning with 9 or 8, and, when necessary, the specific characteristics of each province:
- alava: 945 and 845
- Albacete: 967 and 867
- Alicante : 965, 966 and 865
- Almería: 950 and 850
- Asturias: 984, 985 and 884
- Ávila: 920 and 820
- Badajoz: 924 and 824
- Balearic Islands: 971 and 871
- Barcelona: 93 and 83
- Burgos: 947 and 847
- Caceres: 927 and 827
- Cadiz: 956 and 856 (currently, 856 mostly attributed to nomadic services)
- Cantabria: 942 and 842
- Castellón: 964 and 864
- Ciudad Real : 926 and 826
- Córdoba: 957 and 857
- A Coruña: 981 and 881
- Cuenca: 969 and 869
- Gerona: 972 and 872
- Granada: 958 and 858
- Guadalajara: 949 and 849
- Guipúzcoa: 943 and 843
- Huelva: 959 and 859
- Huesca: 974 and 874
- Jaén: 953 and 853
- León: 987 and 887
- Lleida: 973 and 873
- Lugo: 982 and 882
- Madrid: 91 and 81
- Malaga: 951 and 952, in addition to 851 (this last prefix is shared with Melilla)
- Murcia: 968 and 868
- Navarra: 948 and 848
- Orense: 988 and 888
- Palencia: 979 and 879
- Las Palmas: 928 and 828
- Pontevedra: 986 and 886
- La Rioja: 941 and 841
- Salamanca: 923 and 823
- Segovia: 921 and 821
- Sevilla: 954, 955 and 854
- Soria: 975 and 875
- Tarragona: 977 and 877
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife: 922 and 822
- Teruel: 978 and 878
- Toledo: 925 and 825
- Valencia: 960, 961, 962, 963 and 860
- Valladolid: 983 and 883
- Vizcaya: 944, 946 and 846
- Zamora: 980 and 880
- Zaragoza: 976 and 876
This list is maintained thanks to periodic restructuring by national regulatory bodies, led by the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC), which seek to avoid overcrowding in certain regions. Here you can find out how to know who is calling you..
Mobile phones: how to identify them and how they differ from landlines
The Mobile phones in Spain mainly start with 6, although there are also some specific numbers that begin with 7. It is important to note that, unlike landline numbers, mobile numbers They are not geographically linked to a specific province, so you won't be able to deduce the place of origin from the prefix on mobile phones. Furthermore, with portability, analyzing the prefix no longer guarantees knowing the original operator. If you want to better understand how portability works, visit this article.
The international prefix +34 and differences with international calls
Any Spanish number, whether landline or mobile, is associated with the international prefix +34If you receive a call that begins with this prefix and is followed by the aforementioned 9-digit pattern, you know you're dealing with a legitimate Spanish number. If dialed from outside Spain, you'll need to prefix +34 to connect to your country. To learn more about identifying international calls, check out .
Cost of calling landlines and mobile phones in Spain
In the past, it was essential to know the cost of making a call to each province, town, or even from a landline to a mobile phone. Today, rates have evolved: Most landline and mobile phone plans include unlimited national calls to landlines and mobile numbers., regardless of province, time zone, or operator. To avoid confusion, you can also consult how to block spam calls.
Special rate prefixes: know the cost before you call
In Spain there are special numbering Although they share the same length and some of the same structure as geographic numbers, they have specific conditions and prices. It's essential to differentiate these prefixes to avoid surprises on your bill:
- 800 and 900: Calls are free for the calling user. They are typically used for information and customer service. They are automatically reverse-charge (the company pays the cost).
- 901: Shared-pay calls. The user pays part of the cost and the organization pays the other part.
- 902: Calls charged by the caller. The user assumes the full cost, which is usually higher than that of a regular call and is not included in any operator's flat rate plans.
- 905: Mass calls, used in television voting, contests, raffles, etc. They tend to be the most expensive of the special numbers.
- 803: Adult services (very high additional charge).
- 806: Leisure and entertainment services.
- 807: Professional services.
- 908 and 909: Internet access numbers, where 909 is free for the user and 908 has a cost.
- 118xx telephone information numbers: Calls with especially high prices.
Special and emergency numbers in Spain
Apart from geographic telephones and special rate telephones, there are short and memorable numbers These are very useful tips you should know, as they can help you in emergency situations or for essential public services. Here are some of the most important ones:
- 112: Emergencies. Toll-free number that centralizes all services: ambulances, police, fire department, civil protection, etc.
- 091: National Police (fixed cost, usually low).
- 092: Local Police (fixed cost).
- 061: Health emergencies (fixed cost).
- 080: Local fire service (fixed cost).
- 085: Provincial fire service (free in most cases).
- 016: Information and care for victims of gender violence (free and confidential).
- 062: Civil Guard (fixed cost).
- 010: Municipal information and citizen services in main town halls.
None of these numbers require a country code and will put you in direct contact with the appropriate service.
Prefixes called "nomads" and other peculiarities
Some numbers, such as certain prefixes in the 51 or 56 series, may be reserved for nomadic telephone services, typically related to Internet telephony (VoIP). These numbers are not always tied to a specific geographic location and can be used anywhere in the country under certain conditions. To learn how to identify them, check out What are nomadic numbers?.
It is also common for companies or institutions, especially large companies, to use digital switchboards which generate long numbers (14 or 15 digits, generally starting with 630), although it is not always possible to return the call and, generally, there is no cost for the person receiving the call.
Tips to identify unknown calls and protect yourself from fraud
The proliferation of commercial calls, spam, and scam attempts makes it advisable to be extremely cautious when dealing with unknown numbers, especially those with special or international prefixes. To protect yourself:
- Check the prefix in reliable guides like this one, or use search engines to check which province a landline number belongs to.
- If you receive repeated calls from certain toll-free or bulk prefixes, contact your operator to request blocking.
- Install caller ID apps and anti-spam filters on your smartphone.
- For suspicious mobile or international numbers, search the number on Google, social media, or text messages to see if it's been reported as spam.
- You can try to identify the person or company through their WhatsApp profile, as long as they have privacy enabled.
Frequently asked questions about telephone prefixes in Spain
- Are there provinces where several prefixes are used? Yes. In addition to the traditional ones, provinces with high demand have opened ranges starting with 8, such as Madrid, Seville, Alicante, Valencia, Lugo, and Salamanca.
- Does the mobile prefix indicate the operator or the area? It can only indicate the original carrier, but due to portability and the variety of ranges, it currently doesn't allow you to determine the geographic area. To identify the carrier, see .
- Can I tell if a number is premium rate just by its area code? Yes, if the number begins with 800, 900, 901, 902, 905, 803, 806, 807, 908, 909, or 118, pay attention to the type of service associated with it and its cost.
- Should corporate customer service numbers always be toll-free? For basic services such as claims, cancellations, or commercial information, they must offer a toll-free number (800 or 900), although some companies still use 902 for additional services.
- What happens if I call Spain from abroad? You must dial +34 followed by the full Spanish number (without the initial 0, as it doesn't exist in Spain). For more details, visit .
Understanding the structure of telephone prefixes and knowing the relationship of numbers by province in Spain will not only help you identify the origin of calls, but also can save you from unexpected costs and improve your security against phone fraud. This article provides you with all the up-to-date information you need to decipher any call you receive, whether it's a landline, mobile, international, or premium-rate number. Now that you know the essential information about area codes, your decision-making when faced with unknown calls will be faster, safer, and more efficient.