+38 Country Code: Identifying Calls from Ukraine (+380), Croatia (+385), Serbia (+381) & More

If you’ve received a call or message from a number starting with the +38 prefix (or 0038) and are wondering “which country is +38?”, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s the key information: +38 itself is no longer an active country code (it historically belonged to Yugoslavia). However, it now serves as the beginning sequence for the dialing codes of several countries primarily in Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

To identify the specific country, you need to look at the digit(s) *immediately following* the +38. This page provides a quick reference list to help you pinpoint the origin.

Countries with Codes Starting with +38

Here is a list of the countries that currently use international dialing codes beginning with +38, following the dissolution of Yugoslavia:

Therefore, the most likely countries you encountered are Ukraine (+380), Serbia (+381), Croatia (+385), or Slovenia (+386), among others from the list.

Why Did I Receive a Call/Message from a +38 Number?

Often, searches for the “+38 country code” occur after receiving unexpected communication, most likely starting with +380, +381, +385, etc.

• Legitimate Contact: It could be someone you know or a business from one of the countries listed above.
• Wrong Number: Simple dialing errors happen.
• Scam Calls (Wangiri): Calls that hang up immediately, hoping you’ll call back an expensive number.
• Phishing/Spam Messages: Fake texts (SMS/WhatsApp) trying to get personal info or containing malicious links, sometimes originating from these regions.

⚠️ Be Cautious: If you don’t recognize a number starting with +38X, it’s safest not to answer, call back, or click any links. Never share sensitive information.

How to Dial a Number Starting with +38

If you need to make a legitimate call to one of these countries:

1. Dial your country’s international access code (e.g., 011 from USA/Canada, 00 from UK/Europe, or just + on mobile).
2. Dial the full country code (e.g., 380 for Ukraine, 385 for Croatia).
3. Dial the local phone number, omitting the leading zero if applicable.

Example (calling Ukraine from the US): 011 380 xx xxx xxxx
Example (calling Croatia from the US): 011 385 x xxx xxxx

Conclusion

In summary, while the prefix +38 (or 0038) is no longer a country code by itself (it belonged to the former Yugoslavia), it serves as the crucial starting point for the codes of several European nations. By checking the digit immediately following +38, you can use the list above to identify the specific country, such as +380 for Ukraine, +385 for Croatia, or +381 for Serbia. Always be vigilant with unknown international numbers.