The +994 country code is for Azerbaijan, a country of 10 million people on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. Positioned at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Azerbaijan shares borders with Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, and Turkey (via the Nakhchivan exclave).
Calling Azerbaijan is straightforward once you understand the number format, but there's one critical limitation: direct calls between Azerbaijan (+994) and Armenia (+374) don't connect. The two countries have no diplomatic relations, and telecommunications are blocked. If you need to reach both countries, you'll need to route through a third country or use internet-based alternatives.
Quick answer: Dial +994 followed by the 9-digit local number. Mobile numbers start with 50, 51, 55, 70, 77, or 99. Baku landlines start with 12. Drop the leading 0 from local numbers when dialing internationally.
How to call Azerbaijan: quick reference
The Azerbaijani diaspora is concentrated in Russia, Turkey, and Germany, with smaller communities in the US and UK. Many Azerbaijanis work abroad in construction, services, and the oil industry, sending remittances home regularly.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| Russia | 8~10-994-[local number] |
| Turkey | 00-994-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-994-[local number] |
| US/Canada mobile | +994 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-994-[local number] |
| UK | 00-994-[local number] |
| Georgia | 00-994-[local number] |
Understanding Azerbaijan phone numbers
Azerbaijan phone numbers are 9 digits after the +994 country code. The format differs between mobile and landline numbers.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers are 9 digits starting with two-digit carrier prefixes:
- 50, 51 - Azercell
- 55 - Bakcell
- 70, 77 - Nar Mobile (Azerfon)
- 99 - Various carriers
Example: +994 50 123 45 67
Landline numbers
Landlines use area codes followed by a 7-digit number. Baku numbers start with 12:
| City/Region | Area Code | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Baku | 12 | +994 12 XXX XX XX |
| Sumgait | 18 | +994 18 XXX XX XX |
| Ganja | 22 | +994 22 XXX XX XX |
| Nakhchivan | 36 | +994 36 XXX XX XX |
| Lankaran | 25 | +994 25 XXX XX XX |
Trunk prefix
The domestic trunk prefix is 0. When someone in Azerbaijan gives you a number like "050 123 45 67" or "012 345 67 89," drop the leading 0. Dial +994 50 123 45 67 or +994 12 345 67 89.
Mobile carriers in Azerbaijan
Three mobile operators serve Azerbaijan, with good coverage in urban areas and along major routes.
Azercell
Azercell is the oldest and largest carrier, launched in 1996 as a joint venture with Turkcell. Numbers start with 50 or 51. The network covers rural areas and the Nakhchivan exclave better than competitors. 4G LTE is available in Baku and other cities.
Bakcell
Bakcell is the second-largest operator, owned by NEQSOL Holding. Numbers start with 55. The company has invested in network modernization and offers competitive data packages. Coverage is strong in urban areas.
Nar Mobile (Azerfon)
Nar Mobile launched in 2007 and targets the youth market with aggressive pricing. Numbers start with 70 or 77. Coverage is concentrated in cities but has expanded in recent years.
Coverage notes
All three carriers have good coverage in Baku and along the main highways. Mountain regions and areas near the Armenian border may have weaker signal. The Nakhchivan exclave, separated from mainland Azerbaijan by Armenia, is served primarily by Azercell.
Don't confuse +994 with nearby codes
Azerbaijan's +994 code sits in the Caucasus region with several neighboring country codes:
| Code | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| +994 | Azerbaijan | Caspian Sea coast |
| +374 | Armenia | No direct calls possible |
| +995 | Georgia | Northern neighbor |
| +7 | Russia | Northern neighbor |
| +90 | Turkey | Cultural ties, Nakhchivan border |
| +98 | Iran | Southern neighbor |
The Armenia block
Direct phone calls between Azerbaijan (+994) and Armenia (+374) do not connect. The two countries have no diplomatic relations following the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. If you need to contact someone in Armenia from Azerbaijan (or vice versa), you'll need to use internet-based services like WhatsApp or route through a third country. This affects both landlines and mobile calls.
Time zone considerations
Azerbaijan uses Azerbaijan Time (AZT), which is UTC+4 year-round. The country does not observe daylight saving time, so the offset stays constant.
| Your location | Azerbaijan time difference | Best calling window (UTC) |
|---|---|---|
| Russia (Moscow) | +1 hour | 05:00-17:00 UTC |
| Turkey | +1 hour | 05:00-17:00 UTC |
| Germany (CET/CEST) | +3 hours | 05:00-17:00 UTC |
| UK (GMT/BST) | +4 hours | 06:00-18:00 UTC |
| US East Coast (EST/EDT) | +9 hours | 13:00-01:00 UTC |
| US West Coast (PST/PDT) | +12 hours | 16:00-04:00 UTC |
Business hours in Azerbaijan are typically Sunday through Friday in some sectors (following regional norms) or Monday through Friday in others. Standard hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Government offices may close earlier, especially on Fridays.
Communication in Azerbaijan
Network quality
Baku has reliable 4G coverage from all carriers. Connection quality is good along the main highways connecting Baku to Ganja and other cities. Rural mountain areas and villages may have weaker signal or only 2G/3G coverage.
Internet calling
WhatsApp is the dominant messaging and calling app in Azerbaijan. Many people prefer WhatsApp calls for international communication because of lower costs. Video calls work well in Baku and other cities with good internet. In rural areas, voice calls (traditional or internet-based) are more reliable than video.
Communication style
Azerbaijanis are generally warm and hospitable on the phone, especially with family. Business calls tend to include some personal conversation before getting to the point. It's common to ask about family and health before discussing business matters. Older generations may prefer traditional phone calls to messaging apps.
The Azerbaijan diaspora
Azerbaijani emigration increased after the Soviet collapse in 1991, with many seeking economic opportunities abroad. The oil boom of the 2000s brought some back, but large communities remain overseas.
Where Azerbaijanis settled
Russia hosts the largest Azerbaijani diaspora, with an estimated 1-2 million people. Moscow and other major Russian cities have established Azerbaijani communities. Many work in trade, construction, and services. The shared Soviet history and Russian language skills make integration easier.
Turkey has strong cultural and linguistic ties with Azerbaijan (both speak Turkic languages). An estimated 500,000+ Azerbaijanis live in Turkey, many in Istanbul. Business connections between the two countries are strong.
Germany has a smaller but established community, estimated at 50,000-100,000. Many came as students or skilled workers, with concentrations in Berlin and Frankfurt.
United States has Azerbaijani communities in New York, Los Angeles, and Houston (drawn by the oil industry connection). Numbers are smaller than in Russia or Turkey but growing.
Why they call home
Family connections drive most calls, particularly during holidays like Novruz (Persian New Year in March), which is the biggest celebration in Azerbaijan. Calls also spike during Ramadan and Eid for the Muslim majority. Many Azerbaijanis abroad maintain property in the country and call to coordinate with family or caretakers.
Dialing examples
Here's how to dial Azerbaijan phone numbers from abroad:
Calling an Azercell mobile
To call an Azercell mobile number 050 123 45 67 from Russia:
- Dial: 8~10-994-50-123-45-67
- Note: Wait for the second dial tone after 8 before dialing 10
Calling a Bakcell mobile
To call a Bakcell number 055 987 65 43 from Turkey:
- Dial: 00-994-55-987-65-43 or +994 55 987 65 43
Calling a Baku landline
To call a Baku office at 012 345 67 89 from Germany:
- Dial: 00-994-12-345-67-89 or +994 12 345 67 89
- Note: Drop the 0 from the area code
Calling a Ganja landline
To call a Ganja number 022 123 45 67 from the US:
- From a mobile: +994 22 123 45 67
- From a landline: 011-994-22-123-45-67
Common mistakes to avoid
Trying to call Armenia
Direct calls between Azerbaijan (+994) and Armenia (+374) don't work. There's no technical fix for this. Use WhatsApp, Viber, or other internet-based services instead, or route through a third country.
Keeping the trunk prefix
When someone gives you "050 123 45 67," the 0 is the domestic trunk prefix. Drop it when dialing internationally: +994 50 123 45 67, not +994 050 123 45 67.
Confusing +994 with +995
Azerbaijan is +994, Georgia is +995. The codes are one digit apart and both are in the Caucasus. Baku is +994, Tbilisi is +995. If your call connects to Georgian instead of Azerbaijani, check the country code.
Forgetting the time difference
Azerbaijan is UTC+4 with no daylight saving time. This means the gap with Western Europe and North America changes throughout the year. In summer, Azerbaijan is only 3 hours ahead of Germany; in winter, it's 4 hours ahead.
Calling during Ramadan fasting hours
Azerbaijan has a Muslim majority. During Ramadan, calling during daytime fasting hours may reach people who are tired or unable to talk at length. Evening calls after iftar (sunset meal) work better for longer conversations.
Call Azerbaijan from $0.48/min
CallSky offers affordable international calling to Azerbaijan. With rates starting from just $0.48/min, you can stay connected with friends, family, and business contacts in Azerbaijan.
- 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 Azerbaijan →
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country code is 994?
+994 is the country code for Azerbaijan, a country on the Caspian Sea in the South Caucasus region.
How many digits are Azerbaijan phone numbers?
Azerbaijan phone numbers are 9 digits after the +994 country code. Mobile numbers have a 2-digit carrier prefix plus 7 digits. Landlines have a 2-digit area code plus 7 digits.
Can I call Armenia from Azerbaijan?
No. Direct phone calls between Azerbaijan (+994) and Armenia (+374) are blocked due to the ongoing conflict between the two countries. Use internet-based services like WhatsApp or Viber instead.
What's the difference between mobile prefixes 50, 55, and 70?
These indicate different carriers: 50/51 is Azercell, 55 is Bakcell, and 70/77 is Nar Mobile. All work the same way for international callers.
What time zone is Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan uses UTC+4 (AZT) year-round with no daylight saving time. It's 4 hours ahead of London, 9 hours ahead of New York, and 1 hour ahead of Moscow.
How do I call Baku from abroad?
Dial +994 12 followed by the 7-digit number. Baku landlines start with 12. Drop any leading 0 from the local number.
Ready to make clear, affordable international calls without the hassle? With CallSky.io, you can connect to over 180 countries, including Azerbaijan, with crystal-clear quality and transparent per-minute rates. Start calling with CallSky.io today.