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Cabo Verde Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

Explore Cabo Verde's (+238) phone number system: formats, dialing codes, and validation. Understand landline (2[1-7]XXXXXX), mobile (9[1-9]XXXXX) & toll-free (800XXXX) structures. Includes regex for validation & ITU compliance details.

Phone number standards3 min read

Quick Reference Guide

  • Country: Cabo Verde
  • Country Code: +238
  • International Prefix: 00
  • National Prefix: None

Comprehensive Guide to Cabo Verde's Phone Number System

Cabo Verde's telephone numbering plan is structured to facilitate efficient communication within the country and internationally. This guide provides detailed insights into the phone number formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory frameworks governing telecommunications in Cabo Verde. Whether you're a telecom professional, developer, or business operator, this information is crucial for navigating Cabo Verde's telecom landscape.


Phone Number Formats in Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde operates a closed numbering plan with fixed-length phone numbers. The country code is +238, and there is no national prefix for domestic calls.

General Number Structure

All phone numbers in Cabo Verde are 7 digits long, preceded by the country code +238. The structure varies by service type (e.g., landline, mobile, toll-free).

Landline Numbers

  • Format: 2[1-7]XXXXXX
  • Structure: Begins with '2', followed by a digit between 1 and 7, and then five more digits.
  • Example: +238 2211234

Mobile Numbers

  • Format: 9[1-9]XXXXX
  • Structure: Starts with '9', followed by another digit between 1 and 9, and then five more digits.
  • Example: +238 9912345

Toll-Free Numbers

  • Format: 800XXXX
  • Structure: Begins with '800' and is followed by four additional digits.
  • Example: +238 8001234

Special Services Numbers

  • Format: 1XX
  • Structure: Typically three digits long, starting with '1'.
  • Example: 112 (Emergency services)

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

  • Landline to Landline: Dial the 7-digit number directly (e.g., 2211234).
  • Landline to Mobile: Dial the 7-digit mobile number directly (e.g., 9912345).
  • Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 7-digit mobile number directly (e.g., 9912345).

International Calls

  • Outgoing: Dial the international prefix 00, followed by the country code, area code, and local number.

    • Example: To call Portugal, dial 00 351 XXXX XXXX.
  • Incoming: The caller should dial +238 followed by the 7-digit local number.

    • Example: A caller from the USA would dial +238 2211234.

Number Portability

Currently, Cabo Verde does not offer number portability for either landline or mobile numbers. All numbers remain with their original telecom operators.


Major Telecom Operators

  • CVTelecom: Manages most landline numbers starting with 2.
  • Unitel T+: Primary mobile network operator, managing numbers starting with 9.
  • Toll-Free Numbers: Managed under the prefix 800.

Regulatory Body and ITU Compliance

The Ag??ncia Nacional das Comunica????es (ANAC) is the regulatory authority overseeing telecommunications in Cabo Verde. The country complies with ITU-T Recommendation E.164, which outlines the international public telecommunication numbering plan.


Technical Considerations for Developers

When developing systems involving Cabo Verde's phone numbers, consider:

  1. Validation: Use regular expressions to validate phone numbers:

    • Landline: ^2[1-7]\d{5}$
    • Mobile: ^9[1-9]\d{5}$
    • Toll-Free: ^800\d{4}$
    • Special Services: ^1\d{2}$
  2. Formatting: Include the country code +238 when storing or displaying numbers.

  3. Portability: Since number portability is unavailable, the prefix indicates the operator.

  4. Internationalization: Implement correct international dialing rules.


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Frequently asked questions

The country code for Cabo Verde is +238. This code is required when dialing Cabo Verdean numbers from any other country. Remember to include the plus sign (+) before the country code.

Cabo Verde landline numbers are seven digits long and begin with '2', followed by a digit from 1-7. Dial +238 followed by the 7-digit number for international calls. For domestic calls within Cabo Verde, dial the 7-digit number directly.

Cabo Verde mobile numbers are seven digits long and start with '9', followed by a digit from 1-9. To call a mobile from outside Cabo Verde, dial +238 and then the 7-digit mobile number. Within Cabo Verde, dial the 7-digit number directly.

Toll-free numbers in Cabo Verde start with 800 and are followed by four additional digits. Dial +238 before the 800 prefix when calling from outside Cabo Verde. Domestically, the +238 is not needed.

Special services numbers in Cabo Verde are typically three digits long and start with '1', such as 112 for emergencies. These numbers may not require the country code when dialed within Cabo Verde.

To make an international call from Cabo Verde, dial the international prefix 00, followed by the destination country code, area code, and the local number. For instance, calling Portugal would look like 00 351 XXXX XXXX.

Cabo Verde currently does not offer number portability. This means that phone numbers are tied to the original telecom operator and cannot be transferred to a different provider. Number prefixes indicate the associated carrier.

CVTelecom manages most landline numbers in Cabo Verde, primarily those beginning with '2'. This means if you see a number starting with +238 2, it is most likely associated with CVTelecom.

Unitel T+ is the primary mobile network operator managing numbers starting with '9' in Cabo Verde. Therefore, if you encounter a +238 9 number, it is likely associated with Unitel T+.

Include the +238 country code when making international calls to Cabo Verde. It's also good practice to include it when storing or displaying Cabo Verdean numbers in databases or applications for consistency.

You can use regular expressions to validate Cabo Verdean phone numbers. For landlines: ^2[1-7]\d{5}$, mobiles: ^9[1-9]\d{5}$, toll-free: ^800\d{4}$, and special services: ^1\d{2}$. These expressions ensure accurate number formatting.

The Agência Nacional das Comunicações (ANAC) is the regulatory authority for telecommunications in Cabo Verde. They ensure compliance with international standards and oversee the telecommunications sector in the country.

Developers working with Cabo Verdean phone numbers can find the most up-to-date telecommunications regulations on the official ANAC website. This resource provides essential information for compliance and best practices.