Republic of North Macedonia Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

Introduction

This guide shows you how to validate, format, and process North Macedonia phone numbers (+389) correctly. You'll learn E.164 formatting standards, regulatory compliance with the Agency for Electronic Communications (AEK), and how to integrate with mobile and landline networks.

What you'll learn:

• North Macedonia phone number formats for geographic, mobile, and special service numbers
• Phone number validation techniques and regex patterns
• Number portability requirements and carrier routing
• Regulatory compliance with the Agency for Electronic Communications (AEK)
• 5G network implementation status and capabilities
• Best practices for storing and processing phone numbers in E.164 format

Quick Reference

North Macedonia Phone Number Formats

North Macedonia follows the ITU-T E.164 international public telecommunication numbering plan. Use this standardized format for clear communication between networks worldwide.

General Structure

North Macedonia uses this hierarchical phone number structure:

• Country Code: +389 (identifies North Macedonia internationally)
• National Significant Number (NSN): The number without the country code
• NSN Structure: [Area Code] + [Subscriber Number]
• Total Length: 8 – 10 digits (excluding the country code)

Example breakdown:

• Mobile number: +389 70 123456
  • +389 = Country code
  • 70 = Mobile operator prefix
  • 123456 = Subscriber number
• Geographic (Skopje): +389 2 3456789
  • +389 = Country code
  • 2 = Skopje area code
  • 3456789 = Subscriber number

Geographic Phone Numbers (Landline)

North Macedonia assigns geographic numbers based on regional zones for optimized network routing. Each region has a distinct area code.

Format: 0[2-4]XXXXXXXX
Length: 9 digits (including the leading '0')

Complete Area Code Reference:

Source: ITU-T Numbering Plan for North Macedonia

Mobile Phone Numbers

North Macedonia has multiple mobile operators, each with distinct prefixes. These prefixes serve as helpful indicators, but number portability allows users to retain their numbers when switching operators.

Format: 07XXXXXXXXX
Length: 9 digits (including the leading '0')

Operator Allocations (subject to number portability):

• Makedonski Telekom: 070, 071, 072 (MNO – Mobile Network Operator)
• A1 Macedonia: 075, 076, 077, 078 (MNO – Mobile Network Operator)
• mtel (Telekom Srbija): 073 (MVNO hosted on A1 network; acquired LycaMobile in November 2024)
• Telekabel: 074 (MVNO – Mobile Virtual Network Operator)
• LycaMobile: 079 (MVNO – acquired by mtel in 2024, historically operated on A1 network)

Note on MVNOs: Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) like mtel and Telekabel lease network access from primary operators (Makedonski Telekom or A1 Macedonia) rather than owning physical infrastructure. Mtel began operations in North Macedonia in 2021 and acquired LycaMobile Macedonia in November 2024. LycaMobile originally launched as the country's first MVNO in 2016.

5G Network Status: Makedonski Telekom and A1 Macedonia both launched commercial 5G services in 2022. By April 2024, Makedonski Telekom achieved 85% population coverage across 26 cities, while A1 Macedonia reached approximately 56.6% coverage. North Macedonia ranks as a 5G leader in Central and Eastern Europe, with 90th percentile download speeds reaching 788.30 Mbps as of Q4 2024. Design your applications to take advantage of these high-speed 5G capabilities for data usage and real-time communication.

Special Service Numbers

North Macedonia uses these special service numbers:

Emergency Services

North Macedonia launched the single European emergency number 112 on February 12, 2022. All emergency services are free to call from any phone.

Source: North Macedonia 112 Launch

Commercial Service Numbers

• Toll-Free Services:

  textCopy

  Format: 0800XXXXXX
  Length: 9 digits
  Usage: Free-to-caller services
  Cost: Free for caller; recipient pays

• Premium Rate Services:

  textCopy

  Format: 090XYYYYYY
  Length: 10 digits
  Usage: Value-added services (information, entertainment, voting lines)
  Cost: Higher than standard rates; typically 10p to £1.00+ per minute depending on service
  Billing: Charged at higher rates; caller pays premium

  Important: Premium rate services (090X) are billed at significantly higher rates than standard calls. Costs vary by specific service provider and number. Inform users of potential charges before connecting to premium rate numbers.

• Shared Cost Services:

  textCopy

  Format: 08XYYYYYYY
  Length: 9 digits
  Prefixes: 081, 082, 083
  Usage: Customer support, information lines
  Cost: Shared between caller and recipient

• Short Codes:

  textCopy

  Format: 1XX or 10XX
  Examples: 1188 (Yellow Pages), 188 (Makedonski Telekom information)
  Usage: Directory services, carrier access codes

Phone Number Validation: How to Validate North Macedonia Numbers

Implement these practical patterns when working with North Macedonian phone numbers.

Regex Patterns for North Macedonia Phone Number Validation

Use these regular expressions to validate number formats in your applications:

Local Format (with leading 0):

// Geographic Numbers (landline)
const geoPattern = /^0[2-4][0-9]{7}$/;

// Mobile Numbers
const mobilePattern = /^07[0-9]{7}$/;

// Toll-Free Numbers
const tollFreePattern = /^0800[0-9]{6}$/;

// Premium Rate Numbers
const premiumPattern = /^090[0-9]{7}$/;

// Shared Cost Numbers
const sharedCostPattern = /^08[1-3][0-9]{6}$/;

// Emergency and Short Codes
const emergencyPattern = /^1(12|88|92|93|94|95|96)$/;
const shortCodePattern = /^1[0-9]{2,3}$/;

International Format (E.164):

// International Geographic Numbers
const intlGeoPattern = /^\+389[2-4][0-9]{7}$/;

// International Mobile Numbers
const intlMobilePattern = /^\+38970[0-9]{6}$/;

// International Toll-Free
const intlTollFreePattern = /^\+389800[0-9]{6}$/;

// International Premium Rate
const intlPremiumPattern = /^\+389090[0-9]{7}$/;

// International Shared Cost
const intlSharedCostPattern = /^\+38908[1-3][0-9]{6}$/;

Validation Test Cases:

// Valid examples
✓ +38970123456  // Mobile (international)
✓ 070123456     // Mobile (local)
✓ +38923456789  // Skopje landline (international)
✓ 023456789     // Skopje landline (local)
✓ +38947234567  // Bitola landline
✓ 047234567     // Bitola landline (local)
✓ 0800123456    // Toll-free
✓ 112           // Emergency

// Invalid examples
✗ +38970123     // Too short
✗ 070123456789  // Too long
✗ +38980123456  // Invalid area code (8 not used for geo/mobile)
✗ 05012345678   // Invalid prefix (05 not allocated)
✗ 070 123 456   // Contains spaces (clean before validation)

These patterns ensure valid number formats, preventing errors and improving data integrity. Test thoroughly with various inputs, including edge cases and invalid formats.

Best Practices for Phone Number Validation

Follow these guidelines when handling North Macedonian phone numbers:

1. Storage Format: Store numbers in E.164 format (+38923456789). Remove leading zeros before adding the country code to ensure consistency and facilitate international communication. Learn more about E.164 phone number formatting for global telecommunications standards.

2. Validation Implementation: Create a centralized validation function to handle both international and local formats.

   javascriptCopy

   function validateMKNumber(number) {
     // Remove spaces and special characters
     const cleanNumber = number.replace(/[\s-]/g, '');
   
     // Check for international format
     if (cleanNumber.startsWith('+389')) {
       // Remove country code for local validation
       return validateLocalFormat(cleanNumber.substring(4));
     }
   
     // Check local format
     return validateLocalFormat(cleanNumber);
   }
   
   function validateLocalFormat(number) {
       return geoPattern.test(number) || mobilePattern.test(number) || tollFreePattern.test(number) || premiumPattern.test(number) || sharedCostPattern.test(number);
   }

   This approach simplifies maintenance and ensures consistent validation across your application. Add further checks for specific number types within validateLocalFormat based on your application's needs.

3. Number Portability: Implement real-time carrier lookups using a reliable provider and cache results with an appropriate Time-To-Live (TTL) to minimize lookup latency. Handle potential carrier changes in your routing logic to ensure accurate routing and billing.

   HLR/MNP Lookup Providers:

   • HLR-Lookups.com – Enterprise HLR lookup platform with MNP support
   • CheckMobi – Number verification and HLR lookup API
   • BSG World – MNP API for identifying current operator
   • IPQS HLR Lookup – Free and paid HLR carrier lookup service

   Cache Strategy: Use a TTL of 24 – 72 hours for MNP lookup results. Since porting takes 3 business days in North Macedonia, aggressive caching is safe. Implement cache invalidation on failed delivery attempts to handle edge cases where numbers were recently ported.

4. Regular Updates: Monitor AEK announcements for numbering plan changes and update your validation patterns and carrier prefixes accordingly. This proactive approach prevents disruptions and ensures your systems remain compliant.

Regulatory Framework and Market Overview

The AEK oversees North Macedonia's telecommunications sector, ensuring efficient number allocation, international standards compliance, fair competition, and consumer protection.

The Agency for Electronic Communications (AEK)

The AEK regulates the telecommunications landscape, allocates frequencies, sets quality of service standards, and manages number portability. Find detailed technical specifications and compliance requirements on their official website (https://aek.mk). Stay informed about AEK regulations to operate within the legal framework.

Note: Makedonski Telekom shut down its 3G network in April 2024. Migrate applications relying on 3G connectivity to 4G/LTE or 5G standards to ensure continued service for all users.

Number Portability

Number portability has been available for mobile numbers since September 2008 and for fixed-line numbers since April 2014, as regulated by the AEK. Build robust number validation that doesn't rely solely on prefixes, since users retain their numbers when switching operators.

Porting Process Details:

• Duration: Three (3) business days from request to completion
• Process: Streamlined under the new 2025 Electronic Communications Act to one (1) business day effective June 1, 2026
• Fees: Operators may charge a one-time fee to cover portability costs. Check with your current operator for specific fees (typically minimal).
• Eligibility: Any subscriber can request porting; no contractual restrictions apply
• Contract Termination: Under the new law (effective June 1, 2026), contracts automatically terminate upon successful number porting
• User Charges: No end-user charges for the porting process itself (effective June 1, 2026)

Developer Implementation Notes:

• Do not use number prefixes alone to determine the current carrier
• Implement HLR/MNP lookups for accurate carrier identification
• Handle porting windows: numbers may be temporarily unreachable during the porting process
• Update routing tables immediately upon receiving MNP lookup updates

Source: New Law on Electronic Communications, Article on Number Portability

Market Overview

North Macedonia's telecommunications market shows robust growth, infrastructure modernization focused on 5G deployment, and a shift toward premium devices. Increasing demand for high-speed data services and digital solutions creates opportunities for developers. The ICT market in North Macedonia reached $1 billion in 2022, with software and IT services representing the largest segment.

5G Implementation

Both major operators launched 5G services in 2022, prioritizing major urban areas in the initial rollout.

National Operational Broadband Plan (NOBP) 2019-2029 Targets:

• 2023: 5G signal available in at least one city (achieved)
• 2025: 5G coverage extended to main transport corridors
• 2027: 5G available in all cities
• 2029: At least 50% of household subscriber contracts covering Internet access speeds of at least 100 Mbps; 100% availability of at least 100 Mbps; 1 Gbps symmetric speeds for public institutions

The government aims to provide every citizen with access to 5G internet at a minimum speed of 100 Mbps by the end of 2029. Current deployment progress shows North Macedonia ahead of schedule, with Makedonski Telekom achieving 85% population coverage by April 2024.

New Electronic Communications Act (2025)

Adoption Date: June 27, 2025 Publication Date: July 4, 2025 (Official Gazette No. 135/2025) Entry into Force: July 12, 2025 Application Date: June 1, 2026 (most provisions) Compliance Deadline: Operators must align operations within 18 months of entry into force (by January 12, 2027)

Key Changes Affecting Developers:

1. Number Portability Streamlined:

   • One-day transfer process (down from three days)
   • No end-user charges for porting
   • Automatic contract termination upon switching

2. Enhanced Consumer Protection:

   • Mandatory 12-month and 24-month contract options
   • Stricter rules on automatic renewals
   • Penalty-free termination for non-fulfillment or unfavorable changes
   • Clearer contract terms with explicit quality parameters

3. Data Retention Requirements (Articles 205-207):

   • Operators must retain communications data for 12 months
   • Data must be destroyed after 12 months unless accessed by authorities
   • Access only via court order or prosecutor request
   • Enhanced data protection and security requirements

4. Wireless Access Provisions:

   • Streamlined installation of short-range wireless access points
   • Operators can install equipment on public infrastructure (streetlights, bus stops)
   • No construction permits required for standard installations (unless culturally/environmentally protected sites)

5. Infrastructure Sharing:

   • Stricter requirements for infrastructure access requests
   • Response deadline reduced from 60 to 30 days
   • Limited grounds for access refusal (must be objectively justified)

6. Broadband Mapping:

   • AEK must review and publish coverage data every 3 years
   • Areas without 100 Mbps service designated as underdeveloped zones

Compliance Checklist for Developers:

• Update number portability logic to handle 1-day porting windows (by June 1, 2026)
• Remove user charges for porting processes
• Implement automatic contract termination upon successful porting
• Review data retention policies to align with 12-month requirement
• Ensure API responses include updated service quality parameters
• Update SLAs and terms to reflect mandatory contract options (12/24 months)
• Monitor AEK announcements for technical bylaws and implementation guidelines

Sources:

• Schoenherr: North Macedonia passes new Electronic Communications Act
• Pepeljugoski: New Law on Electronic Communications adopted

Consult the AEK (https://aek.mk) for the latest technical specifications and compliance requirements under this new legislation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the country code for North Macedonia?

The country code for North Macedonia is +389. Use this prefix when calling North Macedonian numbers from abroad. For example, to call a mobile number 070123456 from outside the country, dial +389 70 123456.

How do I format North Macedonia phone numbers in E.164 format?

Convert North Macedonia phone numbers to E.164 format by removing the leading 0 and adding the country code +389. For example, the mobile number 070123456 becomes +38970123456, and the landline 023456789 becomes +38923456789.

Does North Macedonia support mobile number portability?

Yes, North Macedonia has supported mobile number portability since September 2008 and fixed-line number portability since April 2014. The porting process currently takes three business days, but will be reduced to one business day starting June 1, 2026 under the new Electronic Communications Act.

What regex do I use to validate North Macedonia mobile numbers?

Use the regex pattern /^07[0-9]{7}$/ to validate North Macedonia mobile numbers in local format (e.g., 070123456). For international format, use /^\+38970[0-9]{6}$/ to match numbers like +38970123456.

Which mobile operators serve North Macedonia?

The two main mobile operators in North Macedonia are Makedonski Telekom (prefixes 070, 071, 072) and A1 Macedonia (prefixes 075, 076, 077, 078). Both operators offer 5G services with extensive coverage across the country. MVNOs include mtel (073, 079) and Telekabel (074).

Is 5G available in North Macedonia?

Yes, both Makedonski Telekom and A1 Macedonia launched commercial 5G services in 2022. By April 2024, Makedonski Telekom achieved 85% population coverage, and North Macedonia ranks as a 5G leader in Central and Eastern Europe with download speeds reaching 788.30 Mbps.

What is the Skopje phone number format in North Macedonia?

Skopje phone numbers use the area code 02 followed by 7 digits. The full format is 02XXXXXXX (9 digits total including the leading 0). In E.164 international format, remove the 0 and add +389, resulting in +3892XXXXXXX.

How long are North Macedonia phone numbers?

North Macedonia phone numbers range from 8 to 10 digits (excluding the country code). Mobile and geographic numbers are typically 9 digits including the leading 0, while premium rate numbers can be 10 digits.

What is the emergency number in North Macedonia?

The unified emergency number is 112, following the European standard. You can also call specific services: 192 (Police), 193 (Fire), 194 (Ambulance). All emergency calls are free from any phone.

Conclusion

Follow these best practices and stay informed about regulatory changes to ensure your applications remain efficient, compliant, and ready to handle the evolving telecommunications landscape. With the new Electronic Communications Act taking effect June 1, 2026, prepare your systems for streamlined number portability and enhanced consumer protection requirements. Consult the AEK's official documentation (https://aek.mk) for the most up-to-date information.