The +389 country code belongs to North Macedonia, a landlocked country in the Balkans with a population of about 1.8 million. The country was known as the "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (FYROM) internationally until 2019, when the Prespa Agreement with Greece settled a decades-long naming dispute. The country code has stayed +389 through all of this. If you're calling a number that starts with +389, it connects to North Macedonia.
Quick answer: +389 is North Macedonia's country code. Mobile numbers have 8 digits after the country code and start with 7. Landline numbers are 7-8 digits with area codes starting with 2, 3, or 4. Drop the leading 0 used in domestic dialing when calling from abroad. Example: +389 7X XXX XXX.
How to call North Macedonia: quick reference
When calling North Macedonia from abroad, drop the leading 0 from the domestic number. The format varies depending on which country you're calling from.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +389 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-389-[local number] |
| UK | 00-389-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-389-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-389-[local number] |
| France | 00-389-[local number] |
Understanding North Macedonia phone numbers
Mobile numbers
Macedonian mobile numbers are 8 digits after the country code and start with 7. The prefix identifies the carrier:
- 70, 71, 72 - Makedonski Telekom (T-Mobile)
- 75, 76 - A1 Macedonia (formerly One/VIP)
- 77, 78 - A1 Macedonia (additional ranges)
Format: +389 7X XXX XXX
Landline numbers
Landlines use area codes starting with 2, 3, or 4. The total number after +389 is 7-8 digits. Domestically, you add a 0 before the area code.
| Area code | City/Region |
|---|---|
| 2 | Skopje (capital) |
| 31 | Kumanovo |
| 32 | Strumica |
| 33 | Štip |
| 34 | Gevgelija |
| 42 | Gostivar |
| 43 | Veles |
| 46 | Ohrid |
| 47 | Bitola |
| 48 | Prilep |
Mobile carriers in North Macedonia
North Macedonia has two main mobile operators and a couple of smaller players.
Makedonski Telekom (T-Mobile)
The largest operator, majority-owned by Deutsche Telekom. It is the former state telecom and has the widest coverage across the country, including rural and mountainous areas. Mobile numbers start with 70, 71, or 72.
A1 Macedonia
Previously known as VIP Operator and then One, rebranded to A1 after acquisition by A1 Telekom Austria Group. The second-largest carrier with good urban coverage. Mobile numbers start with 75, 76, 77, or 78.
Lycamobile
An MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) that runs on A1's network. Popular with immigrant communities and for international calling due to low rates on calls abroad.
Don't confuse +389 with nearby codes
North Macedonia's +389 sits at the end of the 38x Balkan block, which makes it easy to mix up with its neighbors.
| Code | Country | Why it's confused |
|---|---|---|
| +386 | Slovenia | Three digits off, both former Yugoslav countries |
| +387 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Sequential code, both in the Balkans |
| +381 | Serbia | Northern neighbor, shared Yugoslavia |
| +30 | Greece | Southern neighbor; the naming dispute adds confusion |
The +389/+30 confusion has an extra layer: the Greek region of Macedonia (capital: Thessaloniki) shares the name, so people sometimes search for "Macedonia country code" expecting Greece. If someone says they're in "Macedonia," check whether they mean the country (North Macedonia, +389) or the Greek region (+30).
Time zone considerations
North Macedonia uses Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) from late March to late October. Same clock as Germany, France, and most of Western/Central Europe.
| Your location | Winter offset | Summer offset |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST/EDT) | North Macedonia is +6 hours | North Macedonia is +6 hours |
| US West Coast (PST/PDT) | North Macedonia is +9 hours | North Macedonia is +9 hours |
| UK (GMT/BST) | North Macedonia is +1 hour | North Macedonia is +1 hour |
| Australia (AEDT/AEST) | North Macedonia is -10 hours | North Macedonia is -8 hours |
Business hours are typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. Government offices and banks usually close by 3:00 PM or 4:00 PM. Many shops close for a break around 1:00-3:00 PM in smaller towns.
Communication in North Macedonia
Business culture
Business in North Macedonia tends to be relationship-driven. Phone calls are common for both initial contact and follow-ups, and people generally prefer a phone conversation over email. Meetings can run late and agendas are flexible. Personal small talk before business is expected.
Language
The official language is Macedonian (a South Slavic language using Cyrillic script). Albanian is the second-largest language, spoken by about 25% of the population, mainly in the western part of the country. Younger people in Skopje and Ohrid often speak English. Serbian, Bulgarian, and Turkish are also understood by various communities.
Network quality
4G coverage is good in Skopje, Bitola, Ohrid, and other larger cities. Rural and mountainous areas can have patchy coverage, particularly in the western highlands near the Albanian border. Both Makedonski Telekom and A1 have been expanding 4G coverage along the main highways. 5G is not yet widely available.
The North Macedonia diaspora
Where they went
North Macedonia has a large diaspora relative to its population. Australia has one of the biggest Macedonian communities outside the Balkans, concentrated in Melbourne (over 80,000 people of Macedonian descent) and Sydney. Germany, Switzerland, and Italy have large communities of guest workers who arrived from the 1960s onward. The US has communities in the Midwest (particularly Detroit, Chicago, and Columbus, Ohio) and the Northeast. Canada has a community centered around Toronto. Turkey also has a Macedonian community, both ethnic Macedonians and ethnic Turks who moved back.
Why they call home
Family connections are strong, and many diaspora members still own property in North Macedonia. The summer months see a spike in calls as people coordinate trips home, especially to Lake Ohrid and smaller villages. Orthodox holidays (Christmas on January 7, Easter) and the country's independence day (September 8) are peak calling times. Calls to arrange property maintenance, check on aging parents, and handle bureaucratic paperwork with Macedonian government offices are common year-round.
Dialing examples
Calling a mobile in Skopje
Your friend's domestic number is 070 234 567. Drop the leading 0 and dial: +389 70 234 567. From a US landline: 011-389-70-234-567.
Calling a landline in Ohrid
The hotel number is 046 262 345. Drop the 0 and dial: +389 46 262 345. From a UK phone: 00-389-46-262-345.
Calling a mobile from Australia
The number is 075 432 109. Drop the 0 and dial: +389 75 432 109. From an Australian landline: 0011-389-75-432-109.
Calling within North Macedonia
For domestic calls, keep the leading 0. To call a Skopje landline from Bitola, dial 02 followed by the subscriber number. Mobile-to-mobile calls within the country also use the 0 prefix (e.g., 070 234 567).
Common mistakes to avoid
Keeping the trunk prefix 0
Domestically, Macedonians dial 070, 02, 046, etc. When calling from abroad, drop that leading 0. Dial +389 70, not +389 070. The extra digit will cause the call to fail.
Searching for "Macedonia" instead of "North Macedonia"
Since the 2019 name change, some phone apps and rate tables have updated to "North Macedonia" while others still show "Macedonia" or even "FYROM." If you can't find +389 under one name, try the other. The country code itself hasn't changed.
Confusing with Greek Macedonia (+30)
The Greek region of Macedonia uses +30 (Greece's country code). If someone says they're in "Macedonia" without specifying, ask whether they mean the country (North Macedonia, +389) or the Greek region (Thessaloniki, +30). Getting this wrong connects you to the wrong country entirely.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +389 code?
North Macedonia (formerly known as FYROM or the Republic of Macedonia). The country code has been +389 since independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.
How many digits are in a North Macedonian phone number?
Mobile numbers have 8 digits after +389 (e.g., +389 70 234 567). Landline numbers are 7-8 digits after +389, depending on the area code.
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 North Macedonia. A domestic number 070 234 567 becomes +389 70 234 567 internationally.
Is "Macedonia" the same as "North Macedonia"?
Yes, the country officially renamed to "North Macedonia" in 2019 under the Prespa Agreement with Greece. The country code +389 stayed the same. Some phone apps and databases may still show the old name.
What's the area code for Skopje?
Skopje's area code is 2 (domestically dialed as 02). From abroad: +389 2 followed by the subscriber number.
Looking for more Balkan dialing guides? Check our guides for Serbia (+381), Montenegro (+382), and Croatia (+385), or browse the full country codes directory.