The +383 country code belongs to Kosovo, a partially recognized country in southeastern Europe with a population of about 1.8 million. Kosovo only got its own country code in 2016, eight years after declaring independence from Serbia in 2008. Before +383 was assigned, Kosovar phone numbers used a patchwork of codes: +381 (Serbia's code), +377 (Monaco's code, borrowed by some operators), and +386 (Slovenia's code for some mobile services). If you're calling a number that starts with +383, it connects to Kosovo.
Quick answer: +383 is Kosovo's country code (assigned in 2016). Mobile numbers have 8 digits after the country code and start with 4. Landline numbers are 8 digits with 2-digit area codes. Drop the leading 0 used in domestic dialing when calling from abroad. Example: +383 44 123 456.
How to call Kosovo: quick reference
When calling Kosovo from abroad, drop the leading 0 from the domestic number. The format depends on where you're calling from.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +383 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-383-[local number] |
| UK | 00-383-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-383-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-383-[local number] |
| France | 00-383-[local number] |
Understanding Kosovo phone numbers
Mobile numbers
Kosovar mobile numbers are 8 digits after the country code and start with 4. The prefix identifies the carrier:
- 43, 44 - Vala (state-owned operator)
- 45, 49 - IPKO (owned by Telekom Slovenije)
Format: +383 4X XXX XXX
Note: In Serb-majority areas (particularly North Kosovo around Mitrovica), some people use Serbian SIM cards with +381 numbers. These are separate from the +383 system.
Landline numbers
Landlines use 2-digit area codes. The total number after +383 is 8 digits. Domestically, you add a 0 before the area code.
| Area code | City/Region |
|---|---|
| 38 | Pristina (capital) |
| 39 | Prizren |
| 28 | Mitrovica |
| 29 | Peja (Peć) |
| 27 | Ferizaj (Uroševac) |
| 30 | Gjakova (Đakovica) |
| 31 | Gjilan (Gnjilane) |
Mobile carriers in Kosovo
Kosovo has two main mobile operators, both using the +383 country code.
Vala
The state-owned operator, managed by Kosovo's Post and Telecommunications (PTK). Has the widest coverage across Kosovo, including rural areas. Mobile numbers start with 43 or 44. Generally cheaper for domestic calls.
IPKO
Owned by Telekom Slovenije (Slovenia's telecom). The second-largest carrier with strong coverage in urban areas and along main highways. Mobile numbers start with 45 or 49. Popular with younger users for data plans.
In Serb-majority municipalities (North Mitrovica, Zubin Potok, Zvečan, Leposavić), Telekom Serbia also operates using +381 numbers. These numbers are outside the +383 system and require dialing +381 instead.
Don't confuse +383 with nearby codes
Kosovo's +383 is one of the newest country codes in the world, which creates confusion because older systems and contacts may still use the previous codes.
| Code | Country | Why it's confused |
|---|---|---|
| +381 | Serbia | Kosovo used +381 before 2016; some Serb-majority areas still use it |
| +377 | Monaco | Some Kosovar operators borrowed Monaco's code before +383 existed |
| +382 | Montenegro | Sequential code, neighboring country |
| +355 | Albania | Same language (Albanian); some Kosovars have Albanian SIM cards |
The +381 confusion is the most common. If you have an old contact from Kosovo stored as +381, try +383 instead. The reverse is also true: people in North Kosovo and some Serb enclaves may still be reachable only via +381.
Time zone considerations
Kosovo uses Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) from late March to late October.
| Your location | Winter offset | Summer offset |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST/EDT) | Kosovo is +6 hours | Kosovo is +6 hours |
| US West Coast (PST/PDT) | Kosovo is +9 hours | Kosovo is +9 hours |
| UK (GMT/BST) | Kosovo is +1 hour | Kosovo is +1 hour |
| Australia (AEDT/AEST) | Kosovo is -10 hours | Kosovo is -8 hours |
Business hours are typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM or 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Government offices close by 4:00 PM. Friday afternoons can be quieter in some workplaces.
Communication in Kosovo
Business culture
Kosovo has a young population (median age around 30), which makes it one of the most digitally connected countries in the Balkans. Phone calls are still the default for business communication, and personal relationships matter. Coffee meetings are common before formal business discussions. People are generally direct and responsive to phone calls.
Language
Albanian is the dominant language, spoken by about 90% of the population. Serbian is spoken by the Serb minority (about 5%) and is co-official. English is widely spoken among younger Kosovars, especially in Pristina. German is also understood by many due to the large diaspora in German-speaking countries.
Network quality
4G coverage is good in Pristina, Prizren, Peja, and other larger towns. Coverage gets thinner in rural and mountainous areas, particularly in the western highlands near the Albanian border and in remote villages. Both Vala and IPKO have been investing in network expansion, but gaps remain outside urban centers.
The Kosovo diaspora
Where they went
Kosovo has one of the largest diasporas relative to its population in Europe. Germany has the biggest community (estimated 400,000+), with concentrations in Stuttgart, Munich, and the Ruhr area. Switzerland has around 200,000 Kosovar Albanians, making them one of the largest immigrant groups in the country. Sweden, Austria, and the UK have smaller but established communities. The US has communities in New York, Detroit, and Texas. Much of this emigration happened during the 1990s conflict and continued afterward for economic reasons.
Why they call home
Diaspora connections to Kosovo are strong. Remittances from abroad make up a significant share of Kosovo's GDP, so financial coordination drives many calls. Family calls peak during Bajram (Eid), New Year, and the summer months when diaspora members return for visits and weddings. February 17 (Independence Day) is also a high-calling period. Many diaspora members are building or renovating houses in Kosovo, which generates regular calls to contractors and family overseeing the work.
Dialing examples
Calling a mobile in Pristina
Your friend's domestic number is 044 123 456. Drop the leading 0 and dial: +383 44 123 456. From a US landline: 011-383-44-123-456.
Calling a landline in Prizren
The office number is 029 223 456. Drop the 0 and dial: +383 29 223 456. From a UK phone: 00-383-29-223-456.
Calling a mobile from Germany
The number is 045 876 543. Drop the 0 and dial: +383 45 876 543. From a German landline: 00-383-45-876-543.
Calling within Kosovo
For domestic calls, keep the leading 0. To call a Pristina landline from Prizren, dial 038 followed by the subscriber number. Mobile-to-mobile calls within Kosovo also use the 0 prefix (e.g., 044 123 456).
Common mistakes to avoid
Using +381 instead of +383
Kosovo used Serbia's +381 code before 2016, and many older contacts and databases still list Kosovar numbers under +381. Most +383 numbers won't work if you dial +381. If you have an old Kosovo contact stored as +381 38 (Pristina), try +383 38 instead.
Keeping the trunk prefix 0
Domestically, Kosovars dial 044, 038, 029, etc. When calling from abroad, drop that leading 0. Dial +383 44, not +383 044.
Not knowing about the dual-network situation
Serb-majority areas of Kosovo (North Mitrovica and nearby municipalities) often use +381 (Serbian) numbers rather than +383. If you're trying to reach someone in these areas and +383 doesn't work, they may be on a Serbian network and reachable via +381.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +383 code?
Kosovo. The code was assigned by the ITU in 2016. Before that, Kosovo used a mix of +381 (Serbia), +377 (Monaco), and +386 (Slovenia) codes depending on the operator.
How many digits are in a Kosovar phone number?
Both mobile and landline numbers are 8 digits after +383. Mobile numbers start with 4 (e.g., +383 44 123 456). Landline numbers start with a 2-digit area code (e.g., +383 38 for Pristina).
Do I need to dial 0 before the number when calling from abroad?
No. The 0 is a domestic trunk prefix. Drop it when dialing from outside Kosovo. A domestic number 044 123 456 becomes +383 44 123 456 internationally.
Why do some Kosovo numbers use +381 instead of +383?
Serb-majority areas of Kosovo (particularly North Mitrovica) still use Serbia's +381 code through Telekom Serbia's network. These are separate from the +383 system. If you're trying to reach someone in these areas, you may need to use +381.
What's the area code for Pristina?
Pristina's area code is 38 (domestically dialed as 038). From abroad: +383 38 followed by the subscriber number.
Looking for more Balkan dialing guides? Check our guides for Serbia (+381), Montenegro (+382), and Albania (+355), or browse the full country codes directory.