The international calling code +38 is no longer assigned to a single, sovereign nation. Historically, the code +38 was the official telephone country code for the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia until the country’s dissolution in the early 1990s.
Today, the number 38 serves as the prefix for a block of three-digit country codes used by the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, as well as Ukraine. If you encounter a phone number beginning with +38, the third digit immediately identifies the country you are calling.
This guide details the breakdown of the 38 country code block, lists the modern countries that now use these codes, and provides the correct international dialing procedure for the region.
The Breakup of the +38 Code Space
Following the political breakup of Yugoslavia, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) allocated a unique three-digit country code to each independent nation, keeping the ’38’ prefix as a unifying element. This means that a call to any country in the former Yugoslavia will begin with +38, followed by one final digit.
Countries in the +38 Code Block
The following countries and territories use a code that starts with the digits +38:
| Full Country Code | Country | Capital City |
| +380 | Ukraine | Kyiv |
| +381 | Serbia | Belgrade (Beograd) |
| +382 | Montenegro | Podgorica |
| +383 | Kosovo | Pristina (Prishtinë) |
| +385 | Croatia | Zagreb |
| +386 | Slovenia | Ljubljana |
| +387 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Sarajevo |
| +388 | (Discontinued/Reserved – European Telephony Numbering Space) | |
| +389 | North Macedonia | Skopje |
Note: The codes +384 and +388 are reserved or have been discontinued and are not in public use for a recognized sovereign state.
How to Call Countries in the +38 Block
To place a call to any of these nations, you must use the full three-digit country code, followed by the specific local area code (or mobile prefix) and the local subscriber number.
The universal international dialing format for this block is:
Example Dialing Sequence (Calling Serbia, +381)
To call a landline in Belgrade, Serbia, from the United States or Canada:
- Dial your Exit Code: 011 (for North America) or + (on a mobile phone).
- Dial the Country Code: 381 (for Serbia).
- Dial the Area Code: 11 (for Belgrade).
- Dial the Local Number: The remaining digits.
Key Area Codes in the +38 Block (Examples)
The area code immediately follows the country code and varies by city and nation:
| Country | Country Code | Capital Area Code (Example) |
| Serbia | +381 | 11 (Belgrade) |
| Croatia | +385 | 1 (Zagreb) |
| Slovenia | +386 | 1 (Ljubljana) |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | +387 | 33 (Sarajevo) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the time difference for the +38 code countries?
Most countries in the +38 code block, including Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, are in the Central European Time (CET) zone, which is UTC+1 (and UTC+2 during daylight saving time). Ukraine (+380) is generally one hour ahead of CET. Always verify the time difference before calling.
Are numbers starting with +38 used for scams?
Yes. As with many international codes, numbers starting with +38X may be used in Wangiri scams (one-ring calls). Scammers often use VoIP technology to generate missed calls from international numbers.
Crucial Advice: If you receive a missed call from a number starting with +38X that you do not recognize, do not call it back. The intent is to lure you into calling a premium-rate number that generates revenue for the scammer.
How did Ukraine get the +380 country code?
Ukraine was not part of Yugoslavia. It was historically part of the Soviet Union, which used the country code +7. When the Soviet Union dissolved, the subsequent countries were assigned new codes. Ukraine was assigned the +380 code which neighbors the former Yugoslavian block, rather than a +7xx code.
