The +213 country code is for Algeria. The largest country in Africa by area (since South Sudan split from Sudan in 2011), Algeria occupies a massive swathe of northwest Africa from the Mediterranean coast south into the Sahara. Most of the country's 45 million people live in the northern coastal strip. Algiers, the capital, is a Mediterranean port city built on steep hills overlooking the sea. Oran is the second city, culturally distinct and more relaxed. Algeria was a French colony for 132 years and won independence in 1962 after a brutal eight-year war that left deep marks on both countries. Arabic and Tamazight (Berber) are the official languages, but French is used across business, education, and daily life.
Quick answer: The country code +213 is for Algeria. Mobile numbers are 9 digits after +213 and start with 5, 6, or 7:
+213 5XX XX XX XX. Landlines are 8 digits and start with the area code (Algiers = 21). Algeria uses trunk prefix 0 for domestic calls -- drop it when dialing from abroad.
How to call Algeria: quick reference
Algeria uses trunk prefix 0 for domestic calls. When calling from abroad, you must drop the leading 0. If an Algerian gives you their number as 0551 23 45 67, you dial +213 551 23 45 67. France is listed first because roughly one in ten people in France has Algerian roots.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| France | 00-213-[number without leading 0] |
| US/Canada mobile | +213 [number without leading 0] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-213-[number without leading 0] |
| UK | 00-213-[number without leading 0] |
| Spain | 00-213-[number without leading 0] |
| Germany | 00-213-[number without leading 0] |
Understanding Algeria phone numbers
Algeria's numbering plan distinguishes mobile and landline numbers by their first digit after the country code. Mobile numbers are 9 digits; landlines are 8 digits. Both use trunk prefix 0 domestically, which you drop for international calls.
Mobile numbers (9 digits)
After +213, Algerian mobile numbers are 9 digits and start with 5, 6, or 7. The first two digits identify the carrier:
- 5XX XX XX XX: Ooredoo Algeria (formerly Nedjma/Wataniya). Prefixes 55X, 54X, 56X.
- 6XX XX XX XX: Mobilis (state-owned). Prefixes 66X, 67X, 69X, 60X.
- 7XX XX XX XX: Djezzy (formerly Orascom). Prefixes 77X, 78X, 79X, 70X.
Domestically, Algerians dial these with a leading 0: 0551 23 45 67. When you call from abroad, drop the 0: +213 551 23 45 67.
Landline numbers (8 digits)
Landline numbers are 8 digits after +213. The first two digits are the area code (wilaya code):
| Area code | City/Region |
|---|---|
| 21 | Algiers (Alger) |
| 23 | Algiers suburbs (Blida, Boumerdes) |
| 25 | Constantine |
| 41 | Oran |
| 38 | Annaba |
| 36 | Sétif |
| 33 | Batna |
| 26 | Tizi Ouzou (Kabylie) |
| 34 | Béjaïa (Kabylie) |
| 49 | Ghardaia (Mzab Valley) |
Domestically: 021 XX XX XX (Algiers). From abroad: +213 21 XX XX XX. Landlines are uncommon in daily life -- mobile penetration is over 100% (many people carry two SIMs), while landline penetration is under 10%.
Mobile carriers in Algeria
Algeria has three mobile operators, all with nationwide coverage in populated areas. Competition is intense and prices are low by regional standards.
Mobilis (~40-45% market share)
The state-owned carrier, a subsidiary of Algerie Telecom. Mobilis was the first operator in Algeria and still has the largest subscriber base. It benefits from government support and has the widest rural coverage. Mobilis launched 4G in 2016 and has been expanding it across the country. Numbers start with 06X domestically (6XX after +213).
Djezzy (~30-35% market share)
Originally launched by Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris's Orascom Telecom in 2001, Djezzy quickly became Algeria's most popular operator. The Algerian government forced a controversial ownership change in 2014, acquiring 51% of the company from VEON (formerly VimpelCom). Djezzy was the first operator to make mobile phones affordable for ordinary Algerians -- its pay-as-you-go plans in the early 2000s triggered a mobile revolution. Numbers start with 07X domestically (7XX after +213).
Ooredoo Algeria (~20-25% market share)
Owned by Qatar's Ooredoo Group. Launched in 2004 as Nedjma, then rebranded to Wataniya, then to Ooredoo in 2013. The smallest of the three but competitive on data plans. Ooredoo was the first to launch 3G in Algeria in 2013, which was a big deal -- Algeria was one of the last countries in North Africa to get 3G. Numbers start with 05X domestically (5XX after +213).
Most Algerians carry a single SIM, though dual-SIM phones are common among younger users who want one line for calls and another for data. Mobile money adoption is low compared to sub-Saharan Africa -- Algeria's economy still runs on cash, with the informal sector estimated at 30-50% of GDP.
Don't confuse +213 with nearby codes
The most common mix-up is between Algeria (+213) and Morocco (+212). They share a border, a complicated history, and the codes differ by one digit.
| Code | Country | Region |
|---|---|---|
| +213 | Algeria | North Africa |
| +212 | Morocco | North Africa |
| +216 | Tunisia | North Africa |
| +218 | Libya | North Africa |
The Algeria-Morocco border has been closed since 1994. Relations between the two countries are tense, primarily over the Western Sahara dispute -- Algeria backs the Polisario Front's claim to independence, while Morocco considers it part of its territory. Diplomatic relations were severed in 2021. If you dial +212 by mistake, you're calling Morocco, which is a different country with a different phone system and different carriers.
Tunisia (+216) is Algeria's eastern neighbour and relations are friendlier. Libya (+218) borders Algeria to the southeast. All four Maghreb countries have codes in the 21X range, which makes them easy to confuse if you're not paying attention.
Time zone considerations
Algeria is on Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) year-round. Algeria does not observe daylight saving time -- it dropped DST in 1981 and hasn't used it since. This means in summer, Algeria is one hour behind France and Spain (which shift to CEST, UTC+2), and in winter they're on the same time.
| Your location | Time difference | Call Algeria 9 AM - 6 PM |
|---|---|---|
| France (CET, winter) | Same time | 9 AM - 6 PM CET |
| France (CEST, summer) | Algeria is 1 hour behind | 10 AM - 7 PM CEST |
| US East Coast (EST) | Algeria is 6 hours ahead | 3 AM - 12 PM EST |
| US East Coast (EDT) | Algeria is 5 hours ahead | 4 AM - 1 PM EDT |
| UK (GMT, winter) | Algeria is 1 hour ahead | 8 AM - 5 PM GMT |
| UK (BST, summer) | Same time | 9 AM - 6 PM BST |
| Canada/Montreal (EST) | Algeria is 6 hours ahead | 3 AM - 12 PM EST |
The France-Algeria time gap is the easiest diaspora connection to manage. In winter, there's zero difference. In summer, just one hour. Evening calls from France to Algeria land during normal waking hours without any planning.
Communication in Algeria
Business hours and calling etiquette
Standard business hours in Algeria are Sunday to Thursday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Friday and Saturday are the weekend (Friday is the Islamic day of prayer). Government offices and banks follow this schedule strictly. Private businesses are more flexible -- some work Saturday mornings, and shops in commercial areas stay open late.
During Ramadan, working hours shift. Government offices typically close at 3 PM, and the entire rhythm of daily life changes. Evenings after iftar (the meal breaking the fast) become the most active social time, so if you're calling family during Ramadan, late evening (9-11 PM Algiers time) is when people are most available and sociable.
Language on the phone
Algerians typically speak Darja (Algerian Arabic) at home and on the phone. Darja borrows heavily from French -- a single sentence might switch between Arabic and French multiple times. In Kabylie (Tizi Ouzou, Bejaia), Kabyle Berber is the first language. Business calls, especially with companies and government offices, may be conducted in French or formal Arabic.
Network quality
4G coverage is available across all major cities and towns. In the Saharan south -- which covers 80% of Algeria's land area but holds only about 10% of the population -- coverage thins out. The main Saharan cities (Ghardaia, Bechar, Tamanrasset, Ouargla) have decent coverage, but between them it's patchy. Voice call quality is generally reliable in the north.
Algeria was late to 3G (2013) and 4G (2016) compared to Morocco and Tunisia, partly due to state bureaucracy around spectrum allocation. Internet speeds have improved but remain slower than in neighbouring Morocco, which invested heavily in fiber optic infrastructure.
The Algeria diaspora
Algeria has one of the largest diasporas of any African country, overwhelmingly concentrated in France.
France (1.5-2 million Algerian nationals, 3-5 million of Algerian descent)
The Algeria-France migration link is one of the densest in the world. It started with labor migration during the colonial period, accelerated after independence in 1962 (both pieds-noirs and harki communities relocated to France), and continued with economic migration through the 1970s-90s. The "Black Decade" civil war (1991-2002) drove another wave. Today, somewhere between 3 and 5 million people in France have at least one Algerian-born parent or grandparent. Concentrated in the Paris region (Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne, Hauts-de-Seine), Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, and the industrial cities of northern France. Phone calls between France and Algeria are among the highest-volume international routes in the world.
Canada (~100,000, mostly Quebec)
Montreal is the primary destination. The French language connection makes Quebec a natural fit. Immigration picked up during the civil war in the 1990s and has stayed steady since. Algerians in Montreal tend to be well-educated professionals -- doctors, engineers, IT workers. There's also a community in Ottawa and smaller numbers in Toronto.
Spain (~60,000-80,000)
Geographic proximity -- Algiers is closer to the Spanish coast than to most of southern Algeria. Community concentrated in Barcelona, Alicante, and Valencia. Many work in agriculture and construction.
UK (~20,000-30,000)
Smaller community, mostly in London. Many arrived during the 1990s civil war as asylum seekers. The Finsbury Park area in north London had a notable Algerian community.
Germany, Belgium, and elsewhere
Germany has about 20,000 Algerians, Belgium about 15,000 (Brussels). Smaller communities exist in the US (concentrated in the New York/New Jersey area), Turkey, the Gulf states (especially UAE), and Tunisia.
Dialing examples
The key thing to remember with Algeria: drop the leading 0 that Algerians use domestically.
Example 1: Calling an Algiers mobile (Mobilis) from France
- Algerian domestic number: 0661 23 45 67
- Drop the 0: 661 23 45 67
- From France:
00 213 661 23 45 67
Example 2: Calling an Oran landline from the US
- Algerian domestic number: 041 23 45 67
- Drop the 0: 41 23 45 67
- From a US mobile:
+213 41 23 45 67 - From a US landline:
011 213 41 23 45 67
Example 3: Calling a Djezzy mobile from the UK
- Algerian domestic number: 0770 12 34 56
- Drop the 0: 770 12 34 56
- From UK:
00 213 770 12 34 56
Example 4: Calling an Algiers landline from Canada
- Algerian domestic number: 021 34 56 78
- Drop the 0: 21 34 56 78
- From Canada mobile:
+213 21 34 56 78 - From Canada landline:
011 213 21 34 56 78
Common mistakes to avoid
The most frequent errors when dialing the +213 country code:
Forgetting to drop the leading 0
This is the number-one mistake. If someone gives you 0551 23 45 67, you need to dial +213 551 23 45 67, not +213 0551 23 45 67. The leading 0 is Algeria's trunk prefix for domestic calls only.
Dialing +212 (Morocco) instead of +213
One digit apart. If your call connects to someone speaking Arabic but it's clearly the wrong person, check whether you dialed 212 or 213. Morocco and Algeria are different countries with no functioning border crossing.
Mixing up mobile and landline digit counts
After +213, mobile numbers are 9 digits (starting with 5, 6, or 7). Landlines are 8 digits (starting with the area code, like 21 for Algiers). If your call fails, count the digits -- you might be one short or one too many.
Calling during French business hours in summer
In summer, France is one hour ahead of Algeria (CEST vs. CET). A call at 5 PM Paris time is 4 PM Algiers time -- fine for business. But if you're used to winter when the clocks match, the shift can catch you off guard.
Expecting English-language service
English proficiency in Algeria is low outside of hotels and some tech companies. If you're calling a business, French is far more useful. Arabic (Darja or formal) is the default for personal calls.
Call Algeria from $0.16/min
CallSky offers affordable international calling to Algeria. With rates starting from just $0.16/min, you can stay connected with friends, family, and business contacts in Algeria.
- No subscription required - Pay only for the calls you make
- Crystal-clear quality - HD voice over WiFi or mobile data
- Works anywhere - Call from the web app or iOS app
View detailed calling rates to Algeria →
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country has the +213 country code?
The +213 country code is for Algeria, the largest country in Africa by area.
How many digits is an Algerian phone number?
Mobile numbers are 9 digits after +213 (starting with 5, 6, or 7). Landline numbers are 8 digits after +213 (starting with the area code, e.g. 21 for Algiers, 41 for Oran). Drop the leading 0 used in domestic dialing.
How do I call Algeria from France?
Dial 00 (France's exit code), then 213, then the number without the leading 0. For a mobile number 0661 23 45 67, dial 00 213 661 23 45 67. From a mobile, you can use +213 directly.
What is the difference between +213 and +212?
+213 is Algeria (capital: Algiers). +212 is Morocco (capital: Rabat). They are neighbouring countries with a closed border and strained diplomatic relations.
Does Algeria use a trunk prefix?
Yes. Algeria uses 0 as a trunk prefix for domestic calls. When calling from abroad, drop the 0. Dial +213 followed by the number without the leading 0.
What time zone is Algeria in?
Algeria is on CET (UTC+1) year-round with no daylight saving time. Same as France in winter, one hour behind France in summer.
Ready to make clear, affordable international calls without the hassle? With CallSky.io, you can connect to over 180 countries, including Algeria, with crystal-clear quality and transparent per-minute rates. Start calling with CallSky.io today.