The +218 country code is for Libya. If you see an incoming call starting with +218, it's coming from somewhere along the North African coast between Tunisia and Egypt, or from deep in the Sahara. Most likely Tripoli or Benghazi, which together account for the majority of the country's phone lines.
Libya's phone system uses a trunk prefix (0) that you must drop when dialing internationally. Both mobile and landline numbers are 9 digits after +218. The telecom sector has been complicated by the country's political situation since 2011, with infrastructure damage and periods where connectivity between the east and west of the country was unreliable. Two main mobile operators, Libyana and Al Madar, cover most of the population, though coverage outside cities can be patchy.
Quick answer: Dial +218 followed by the local number without the leading 0. All numbers (mobile and landline) are 9 digits after +218. Mobile numbers start with 91 (Libyana), 92 (Al Madar), or 94 (Libya Phone). Landline area codes: Tripoli is 21, Benghazi is 61. Libya uses Eastern European Time (UTC+2) year-round.
How to call Libya: quick reference
Drop the trunk prefix 0 from the local number and dial +218 followed by the remaining 9 digits. This applies to both mobile and landline numbers. "Local number" in the table below means the Libyan number without the leading 0.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +218 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-218-[local number] |
| UK | 00-218-[local number] |
| Tunisia | 00-218-[local number] |
| Italy | 00-218-[local number] |
| Egypt | 00-218-[local number] |
Understanding Libya phone numbers
Libya uses a trunk prefix (0) for domestic calls. For international calls, drop the 0 and dial +218 plus 9 digits. Both mobile and landline numbers are the same length after the country code.
Mobile numbers (9 digits after +218)
Mobile numbers follow the pattern +218 9X XXXXXXX, where the two-digit prefix identifies the carrier. Domestically they're dialed as 09X XXXXXXX.
| Prefix | Carrier | Domestic format | International format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 091 | Libyana | 091 XXX XXXX | +218 91 XXX XXXX |
| 092 | Al Madar | 092 XXX XXXX | +218 92 XXX XXXX |
| 094 | Libya Phone | 094 XXX XXXX | +218 94 XXX XXXX |
Landline numbers (9 digits after +218)
Landline numbers use 2-digit area codes followed by 7 subscriber digits, totaling 9 digits after +218.
| City | Area code | Domestic format | International format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tripoli | 21 | (021) XXX XXXX | +218 21 XXX XXXX |
| Benghazi | 61 | (061) XXX XXXX | +218 61 XXX XXXX |
| Misrata | 51 | (051) XXX XXXX | +218 51 XXX XXXX |
| Sabha | 71 | (071) XXX XXXX | +218 71 XXX XXXX |
| Zawiya | 23 | (023) XXX XXXX | +218 23 XXX XXXX |
| Derna | 84 | (084) XXX XXXX | +218 84 XXX XXXX |
Landline infrastructure has suffered damage since 2011. In Tripoli and Benghazi, many lines still work, but outside the two main cities, landlines are increasingly unreliable. Most Libyans have switched to mobile as their primary contact number.
Mobile carriers in Libya
Libya's mobile market is split between two main operators, both ultimately controlled by the state-owned Libya Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology Company (LPTIC). There is no real private competition.
Libyana (~55-60% market share)
Libyana launched in 2004 and uses prefix 091. It grew quickly and became the larger of the two networks. During the 2011 civil war, the rebel-held east set up a separate network using captured Libyana infrastructure, briefly calling it "Free Libyana." The network has since been reunified, though service quality varies by region. Libyana generally has better coverage in western Libya and Tripoli.
Al Madar (Almadar Aljadid) (~35-40% market share)
Al Madar is the older operator, using prefix 092. It's directly owned by LPTIC and was the original GSM provider in Libya. Coverage is comparable to Libyana in major cities but sometimes weaker in rural areas. Al Madar tends to have stronger infrastructure in eastern Libya and Benghazi, partly due to legacy network investments there.
Libya Phone (small market share)
Libya Phone uses prefix 094 and is also an LPTIC subsidiary. It operates a smaller network and has limited coverage compared to the two main operators. Most people carry either a Libyana or Al Madar SIM, and many carry both.
Don't confuse +218 with nearby codes
Libya shares the +21X block with its North African neighbors. All of them start with +21, so a wrong digit sends your call to a different country.
| Code | Country | How to tell apart |
|---|---|---|
| +216 | Tunisia | Western neighbor. Mobile numbers start with 2/5/9 after +216, no trunk prefix |
| +213 | Algeria | Western neighbor. Mobile numbers start with 5/6/7 after +213 |
| +212 | Morocco | Further west. Mobile starts with 6/7 after +212 |
| +20 | Egypt | Eastern neighbor. Only 2 digits, mobile starts with 10/11/12/15 after +20 |
The most common confusion is between +218 (Libya) and +216 (Tunisia). The two countries share a border, many Libyans have fled to Tunisia since 2011, and Tunisian SIM cards are widely used by Libyans abroad. If you're trying to reach someone who recently left Libya, confirm whether they're still on a +218 number or have switched to +216. The +213 Algeria mix-up also happens, since all three Maghreb codes start with +21.
Time zone considerations
Libya uses Eastern European Time (EET) at UTC+2 year-round. The country abolished daylight saving time, so the offset stays constant.
| Your time zone | When it's 9 AM in Tripoli | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East (EST/EDT) | 2:00 AM / 3:00 AM | 6 AM-10 AM ET (1 PM-5 PM EET) |
| US West (PST/PDT) | 11:00 PM / 12:00 AM | 6 AM-9 AM PT (4 PM-7 PM EET) |
| UK (GMT/BST) | 7:00 AM / 8:00 AM | 8 AM-6 PM GMT (10 AM-8 PM EET) |
| Tunisia (CET/CEST) | 8:00 AM / 9:00 AM | Nearly same time zone. Call anytime during business hours |
| Egypt (EET) | 9:00 AM | Same time zone. Call anytime during business hours |
Libya, Egypt, and South Africa all sit at UTC+2, which makes calls between them easy to time. For the UK, the 2-hour gap (1 hour during BST) is very manageable. For the US East Coast, you're looking at a 7-hour difference, so morning calls from the US land in the Libyan afternoon.
Communication in Libya
Business hours and customs
Business hours in Libya are typically 8 AM to 2 PM, Sunday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday are the weekend. During Ramadan, working hours are shortened, and it's best to call in the morning. Libyans are generally warm and conversational on the phone, and a brief exchange of greetings before getting to business is expected. Cold-calling without a personal introduction may not get far.
Messaging apps
WhatsApp and Viber are both widely used for personal and business communication. Many Libyans prefer voice messages over text, and WhatsApp voice/video calls are common for international communication to avoid per-minute charges. Facebook Messenger is also popular, since Libya has one of the highest Facebook usage rates in Africa relative to its population. If a voice call doesn't connect, try reaching the person on WhatsApp first.
Network and connectivity issues
Telecom infrastructure has been damaged in fighting since 2011 and repairs are ongoing. Power outages are common, and when the grid goes down, cell towers run on backup generators that eventually run out of fuel. Internet speeds are among the slowest in the region, which affects VoIP call quality. Calls to mobile numbers are more reliable than landlines. If you can't get through, it may be a temporary outage rather than a wrong number. Try again in a few hours.
The Libya diaspora
Libya's diaspora grew rapidly after the 2011 revolution and the instability that followed. Before 2011, relatively few Libyans lived abroad. The population shift since then has been dramatic.
Tunisia (500,000-1.5 million at peak)
The closest and most accessible destination. Many Libyans crossed the western border during the 2011 conflict and again during the 2014 fighting. Some have returned, but large numbers remain in Tunis, Sfax, Djerba, and along the border region. Many maintain Libyan +218 SIM cards alongside Tunisian +216 ones. The Ras Ajdir border crossing between the two countries sees constant traffic. Calls between Libya and Tunisia are among the busiest international routes for +218.
Egypt (200,000-400,000)
The eastern neighbor absorbed a large wave of Libyans, particularly from Benghazi and eastern cities. Cairo and Alexandria have sizable communities. Some Libyans with eastern tribal ties have deep family connections across the border. Students and medical patients also travel to Egypt regularly.
Italy (20,000-40,000)
Italy colonized Libya from 1911 to 1943, and the historical connection persists. A Libyan community existed in Rome and Milan before 2011, and it has grown since. Italy is also the primary European destination for Libyans seeking asylum. Some older Libyans still speak Italian. Calls between Italy and Libya follow the colonial-era connection.
Turkey and Jordan (50,000-100,000 combined)
Turkey became a major destination for Libyans after 2011, particularly for those with political affiliations to certain factions. Istanbul has a visible Libyan community. Jordan hosts a smaller but established group, many of whom are students or families seeking stability.
UK and other countries
Smaller Libyan communities exist in Manchester, London, and Sheffield in the UK, many dating to government scholarship students from the Gaddafi era who stayed. Malaysia also has a community of Libyan students who went on government-funded university programs.
Dialing examples
Calling a Libyana mobile in Tripoli
Your contact's local number is 091 234 5678. Drop the leading 0 and dial +218 91 234 5678. From a US landline: 011-218-91-234-5678.
Calling a landline in Tripoli
The local number is (021) 345 6789. Drop the 0, keep area code 21: +218 21 345 6789. From the UK: 00-218-21-345-6789.
Calling an Al Madar mobile in Benghazi
Your contact's number is 092 876 5432. Drop the 0: +218 92 876 5432. From Tunisia: 00-218-92-876-5432.
Calling a landline in Misrata
The local number is (051) 123 4567. Drop the 0, keep area code 51: +218 51 123 4567. From Egypt: 00-218-51-123-4567.
Common mistakes to avoid
Leaving the trunk prefix 0 in
The most common error. If the local number is 091 234 5678, you dial +218 91 234 5678, not +218 091 234 5678. That extra 0 adds a 10th digit and the call will fail.
Confusing +218 with +216 (Tunisia)
Two digits apart, neighboring countries, and hundreds of thousands of Libyans living in Tunisia. If you're dialing and hear a Tunisian greeting or operator message, check whether you typed 218 or 216. Tunisian mobile numbers don't start with 9X the way Libyan ones do.
Assuming the number is disconnected when it doesn't connect
Power outages and network disruptions are normal in Libya. A call that doesn't go through may just mean the cell tower is down or the person's phone battery died during load shedding. Try again in a few hours, or send a WhatsApp message that will deliver when they come back online.
Not confirming which SIM card someone is using
Many Libyans abroad carry both a Libyan +218 SIM and a local SIM from their host country (often +216 Tunisia or +20 Egypt). Ask which number they're currently reachable on before dialing. The +218 SIM may be turned off if they haven't been in Libya recently.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +218 code?
Libya. Any call from a number starting with +218 originates from Libya.
How many digits are in a Libyan phone number?
After +218, all numbers are 9 digits, whether mobile or landline. Domestically, add the trunk prefix 0 for a total of 10 digits.
Do I need to drop the 0 when calling Libya?
Yes. Libya uses 0 as a trunk prefix for domestic calls. When dialing internationally with +218, remove the leading 0. For example, 091 234 5678 becomes +218 91 234 5678.
What's the difference between +218 and +216?
+218 is Libya, +216 is Tunisia. They're neighboring countries with codes two digits apart, so double-check before dialing. Many Libyans live in Tunisia and may carry both codes.
What time zone is Libya in?
Eastern European Time (EET), UTC+2, year-round. No daylight saving. This is the same as Egypt and 1 hour ahead of Tunisia.
Why can't I get through to a Libyan number?
Power outages and infrastructure damage are common in Libya. If a call doesn't connect, it's often a temporary network issue rather than a wrong number. Try again later or reach out via WhatsApp.
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