The +993 country code is for Turkmenistan, one of the most isolated countries in Central Asia. Calling Turkmenistan is harder than calling most countries. The government controls all telecommunications through the state monopoly Turkmentelecom, internet access is heavily restricted, and international calls don't always connect reliably.
If you need to reach someone in Ashgabat, Turkmenabat, or elsewhere in Turkmenistan, this guide explains the number format and what to expect. Be prepared for dropped calls and connection issues that have nothing to do with your dialing.
Quick answer: The +993 country code is for Turkmenistan. Phone numbers have 8 digits after the country code. Mobile numbers start with 6 (format: +993 6X XXX XXX). Landlines use city codes like 12 for Ashgabat. Drop the trunk prefix 8 when dialing internationally. All telecom is state-controlled, and calls may not always connect.
How to call Turkmenistan: quick reference
Most calls to Turkmenistan come from Turkey and Russia, where the largest Turkmen diaspora communities live. Even with the correct format, calls may fail due to Turkmenistan's state-controlled network.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| Turkey | 00-993-[8-digit number] |
| Russia | 810-993-[8-digit number] |
| US / Canada | 011-993-[8-digit number] |
| Germany | 00-993-[8-digit number] |
| UK | 00-993-[8-digit number] |
Understanding Turkmenistan phone numbers
Turkmen phone numbers are 8 digits after the +993 country code. Domestically, the trunk prefix 8 is used before long-distance calls but must be dropped for international dialing.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers start with 6:
- Domestic: 8-6X-XXX-XXX (9 digits with trunk prefix)
- International: +993 6X XXX XXX (8 digits after +993)
Landline numbers
Landlines use geographic area codes:
- Ashgabat: +993 12 XX XXXX
- Other cities: +993 [area code] XX XXXX
Area codes
| City / Region | Area code |
|---|---|
| Ashgabat | 12 |
| Turkmenabat (Lebap) | 42 |
| Mary | 52 |
| Dashoguz | 32 |
| Balkanabat (Balkan) | 22 |
| Turkmenbashi | 24 |
Landlines in Turkmenistan are more common than in neighboring countries because mobile service was slower to expand under state control.
Mobile carriers in Turkmenistan
Unlike most countries, Turkmenistan has no private mobile carriers. The government controls all telecommunications.
TMCELL (Altyn Asyr)
The sole mobile operator, run by state-owned Turkmentelecom. TMCELL uses the prefix 6X for all mobile numbers. SIM cards require registration with a passport, and foreign visitors may have difficulty obtaining one. Coverage exists in cities and along major roads, but rural areas and the Karakum Desert have little to no service.
Turkmentelecom (landlines)
The state monopoly also operates all landline service. International calls through the landline network can be unreliable, with long connection times and occasional failures that are unrelated to your dialing format.
There are no alternative carriers. If TMCELL service is down in an area, there is no fallback option.
Don't confuse +993 with nearby codes
Turkmenistan's code sits in the middle of the Central Asian 99X block.
| Code | Country | Easy distinction |
|---|---|---|
| +993 | Turkmenistan | Ends in 3 |
| +992 | Tajikistan | Ends in 2 (one digit off) |
| +994 | Azerbaijan | Ends in 4 |
| +998 | Uzbekistan | Ends in 8, neighboring country |
| +90 | Turkey | Two digits only, but "Turk-" prefix causes confusion |
The most common mix-up is +993 vs +992 (Turkmenistan vs Tajikistan). Another source of confusion: people sometimes dial +90 (Turkey) when they mean +993 (Turkmenistan) because both country names start with "Turk."
Time zone considerations
Turkmenistan uses Turkmenistan Time (TMT), which is UTC+5 year-round. No daylight saving time. This is the same time zone as neighboring Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
| Your location | Time difference |
|---|---|
| Turkey (UTC+3) | Turkmenistan is +2 hours |
| Russia (Moscow, UTC+3) | Turkmenistan is +2 hours |
| Germany (CET/CEST) | Turkmenistan is +4 hours (winter) / +3 hours (summer) |
| UK (GMT/BST) | Turkmenistan is +5 hours (winter) / +4 hours (summer) |
| US East Coast (EST/EDT) | Turkmenistan is +10 hours (winter) / +9 hours (summer) |
For callers in Turkey, Turkmenistan is 2 hours ahead. A 6 PM call from Istanbul reaches Ashgabat at 8 PM.
Communication in Turkmenistan
Business hours
Government and business hours are typically 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Bazaars operate longer hours and on weekends. During the hot summer months (June-August), some offices close earlier in the afternoon.
Best times to call
Evenings (7:00-9:00 PM Turkmenistan time) are the safest window for personal calls. Try multiple times if the call doesn't connect on the first attempt. Connection issues are common and don't necessarily mean the number is wrong.
Internet restrictions
This is the biggest challenge when trying to communicate with someone in Turkmenistan. The government blocks most social media platforms, VPNs are illegal, and internet speeds are slow. WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and similar apps are either blocked or unreliable. A direct phone call to a +993 number is often the only way to reach someone.
Call quality
International call quality to Turkmenistan is inconsistent. Calls may take several seconds to connect, audio quality can be poor, and calls sometimes drop without warning. This is a network-side issue, not something you can fix by dialing differently. Patience and multiple attempts are normal.
The Turkmenistan diaspora
Turkmenistan's diaspora is smaller than its Central Asian neighbors because emigration is restricted by the government. Exit visas were required until recently, and many citizens still face barriers to leaving.
Where Turkmens live abroad
- Turkey: The largest Turkmen community abroad, estimated at 100,000-200,000. Istanbul and Ankara have significant populations. Cultural and linguistic ties (both are Turkic languages) make Turkey the most accessible destination.
- Russia: Several tens of thousands, mainly in Moscow and other major cities. Some are students, others are workers.
- United States: A small but growing community, many of whom arrived as refugees or through educational exchanges.
- Germany: Small community, often connected to university programs.
- Uzbekistan and Iran: Cross-border ethnic Turkmen populations exist in both neighboring countries.
Why they call home
With internet communication largely blocked inside Turkmenistan, phone calls are the primary lifeline for families separated by migration. Calls increase around Nowruz (March 20-21), Eid holidays, and the September independence anniversary. Many diaspora Turkmens call weekly since it may be the only way to hear from family.
Dialing examples
Calling a mobile in Ashgabat
Your contact gives you: 8-65-123-456
- From Turkey: 00 993 65 123 456
- From US: 011 993 65 123 456
- Using CallSky: +993 65 123 456
Drop the trunk prefix 8 and dial the 8-digit number after +993.
Calling a landline in Ashgabat
Your contact gives you: 8-12-34-5678
- From Russia: 810 993 12 34 5678
- From Germany: 00 993 12 34 5678
- Using CallSky: +993 12 34 5678
Drop the 8, keep the area code 12 (Ashgabat).
Calling a mobile in Mary
Your contact gives you: 8-63-987-654
- From Turkey: 00 993 63 987 654
- From UK: 00 993 63 987 654
- Using CallSky: +993 63 987 654
Mobile numbers work the same regardless of the person's city.
Common mistakes to avoid
Keeping the trunk prefix 8
Inside Turkmenistan, local numbers start with 8 for long-distance. From abroad, drop it. Dialing +993 8 65 123 456 won't connect. The correct format is +993 65 123 456.
Confusing +993 with +992 or +90
+993 is Turkmenistan, +992 is Tajikistan, +90 is Turkey. The "Turk-" in both Turkey and Turkmenistan causes confusion. Double-check: Turkey is two digits (+90), Turkmenistan is three digits (+993).
Assuming the call failed because of wrong dialing
If your call to Turkmenistan doesn't connect, it may not be a dialing error. The state-controlled network has capacity limitations and international calls sometimes fail for no apparent reason. Try again after a few minutes. If it still doesn't work, try at a different time of day.
Trying to use messaging apps instead
WhatsApp, Telegram, and most messaging platforms are blocked or restricted in Turkmenistan. Your contact may not receive messages or voice calls through these apps even if they show as delivered. A traditional phone call is more reliable.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +993 code?
+993 is the country code for Turkmenistan in Central Asia.
How many digits are in a Turkmen phone number?
Turkmen numbers have 8 digits after the +993 country code. Domestically, a trunk prefix 8 is added, making it 9 digits.
Why won't my call to Turkmenistan connect?
Turkmenistan's state-controlled network has limited international capacity. Calls sometimes fail even with the correct number. Try again later or at a different time of day.
Can I use WhatsApp to call Turkmenistan?
Usually not. Turkmenistan blocks most messaging platforms and VPNs. A direct phone call to a +993 number is the most reliable way to reach someone.
What's the difference between +993 and +992?
+993 is Turkmenistan, +992 is Tajikistan. They're neighboring countries with codes that differ by one digit.
What time zone is Turkmenistan in?
Turkmenistan uses UTC+5 year-round with no daylight saving time. It's 2 hours ahead of Turkey and Moscow.
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