Short codes are telephone numbers consisting of fewer than 10 digits, usually between 3 and 6 digits depending on their type. Their advantages include ease of memorization, nationwide coverage, and the prestige associated with organizations using such numbers.

Subscribers interested in obtaining a short code should be aware that the process requires their involvement, specifically in submitting an application to the relevant regulatory authority (EETT) for the assignment of the number. Short codes are assigned directly by EETT, not by providers.

The assignment and termination process is expected to take approximately 30 working days on average. The annual usage fees and one-time assignment fees listed below refer to the total cost payable to EETT per calendar year. Subscribers obtaining a short code are also required to pay modulus an annual fee for a voice channel package used to serve the number, for which they receive a separate financial offer.

Below are the categories of short codes along with the applicable fees for each category, as published on the EETT website:

Numbers in the 10X(X)(X) and 11X(X)(X) ranges (excluding the 100, 108, 112, 116 and 118 ranges) are used:

1. As 3-digit and/or 4-digit and/or 5-digit short codes for the provision of services of significant social importance, provided either by the providers themselves, government authorities, entities appointed by the state to provide such services, or non-profit public benefit organizations.

2. As 4-digit and/or 5-digit short codes for the provision of emergency assistance services related to health or roadside assistance, or for services provided by public utility organizations to address urgent needs, such as fault reporting.

   Important: The number 11112 is used as an emergency short code via Fax. In addition, the number 1111X, where X=0-1 & X=3-9, cannot be assigned.

3. Short codes in the 116XXX range are used as 6-digit short codes for the provision of services of particular importance to society at a European level. These services address specific social needs, particularly those related to the welfare and safety of citizens or specific groups of citizens, or the provision of assistance to citizens in difficulty.

4. The 118YX numbers, where Y=1-9 and X=0-9, are used exclusively as 5-digit short codes for directory inquiry services.

   Important: Numbers in the 1180 and 119 ranges remain reserved for future directory inquiry services via short codes.

Numbers in the 12 and 13 ranges are used:

5. As 3-digit and/or 4-digit and/or 5-digit and/or 6-digit network short codes for the provision of services exclusively related to the provider’s network, such as customer support and fault reporting.

   i. The use of network short codes in the 12X range, where X=0-9, and 13Y, where Y=0-6,9, does not require a prior EETT decision for primary assignment.

   ii. Numbers in the 138 range are assigned as 5-digit network short codes for customer service related exclusively to a provider’s network, including when called from other providers’ networks. Each provider is entitled to a maximum of three 138-series short codes per network type (fixed, mobile, satellite).

   iii. Numbers in the 137 range are assigned as 5-digit short codes for customer support services related to fault reporting, in accordance with EETT Decision No. 834/2/9-11-2017 “General Authorizations Regulation”.

6. Short codes in the 14YXX range, where Y=0 and 2-9, X=0-9, are used as 5-digit short codes for multimedia information services.

7. Short codes in the 141XX range, where X=0-9, are used as 5-digit short codes for multimedia information services related to gambling activities.

8. Outgoing calls from short codes in the 14XXX range are prohibited.

9. Numbers in the 15 range are used as 4-digit and/or 5-digit short codes for the provision of public interest services or services to society by Ministries or Local Government Organizations.

10. Numbers in the 181-183 ranges are assigned as 5-digit short codes to electronic communications providers in order to be secondarily assigned to their business subscribers or used by the providers themselves.

11. Numbers in the 188 range are used as 4-digit and/or 5-digit short codes for services intended for individuals requiring assistance or persons with disabilities, provided either by providers themselves, government authorities, entities appointed by the state, or non-profit public benefit organizations.

12. Short codes in the 198YX range, where Y=0-5 and X=0-9, are used as 5-digit short codes for multimedia information services provided exclusively by:

i. Holy Metropolises and entities registered in the National Registry of Non-Profit Private Sector Social Care Providers, in accordance with Law 2646/1998.

ii. Private legal entities certified by decision of the competent Minister as non-profit social care service providers with nationwide activity and supervisory mechanisms.

13. Calls to emergency short codes are free of charge for the end user.

14. Charges for calls from fixed networks to services corresponding to the 10 and 11 ranges (excluding 118 and 116), 15, and the 181-183 ranges of a provider must not exceed the charge for a local call within that provider’s network (i.e. a call to a geographic number within the same area). Charges for calls from mobile networks to services corresponding to the 10 and 11 ranges (excluding 118 and 116), 15, and the 181-183 ranges must not exceed the applicable charges for calls to other mobile or geographic fixed-line numbers to which the codes have been primarily assigned. In any case, calls to short codes in the 10 and 11 ranges (excluding 118 and 116), 15, and 181-183 do not constitute premium-rate calls.

15. Entities to which short codes have been assigned through secondary assignment in the 10, 11 (excluding 118 and 116), 181-183 and 188 ranges, as well as providers using them directly, are required, when advertising services through these numbers and when displaying the numbers on their websites, to clearly state the maximum charges for SMS messages and calls to these numbers, where applicable, from both fixed and mobile telephones. They must also inform end users that information regarding these numbers is available in the EETT Telecommunications and Postal Retail Products Price Observatory, providing the relevant link in a clearly visible position on their website.