Columbia's Communication Regulation (CRC) is standardizing their local phone numbers to a 10-digit number format starting September 1, 2021. Previously, Colombia’s local phone numbers were 8 digits, excluding Colombia's country code (i.e., +57). You can find detailed information on the CRC website (Spanish).


Here is the update:

For every Colombian local phone number, a new regional code will be added between the local phone number and the country code. For example, for a Bogota number 5555555, the “601” regional code will be added after the country code. So, the number will be +576015555555 (6015555555 without the country code). The following table shows the new region codes.


This article gives you the following information about this update:

  1. How to make calls in Columbia?
  2. What is required from you?
  3. When is the change happening?

How to make calls in Columbia?

Starting September 1, 2021, to make outbound calls from a Colombian phone number using the Twilio account, do the following:

For calls within Columbia, use the following number formats:

  1. To make calls from one Colombian local phone number to another number in the same region, append the country code to the new 10-digit number. Let’s say you are in Bogota and want to make calls to another number in Bogota. In this case, “1” is replaced by the regional code (601).

    Old 8-digit format: +5715555555 New 10-digit format: +576015555555
  2. To make calls from one Columbian local phone number to another number in a different region, use the country code (+57) followed by the new 10-digit number. For example, to call a local number in Cali region from another region, 052 is replaced by the regional code (602).

    Old 10-digit format:  +570524123456 New 10-digit format: +576024123456

  3. To make calls from Colombian mobile phone numbers local numbers, use only the country code (+57) with the 10-digit number, without using the preview prefix: “03”. For example, the highlighted “03” prefix in the old number format below is not required to call a mobile number from a local number.

    Old 12-digit format: +57033001234567  New 10-digit format: +573001234567


    The mobile numbers in Colombia do not start with 03. But whenever a mobile device needs to call a local number or vice versa, 03 prefixes are required. However, once the numbers are changed to 10 digits, 03 prefixes are no longer required to make local-mobile calls and vice versa. The official documentation from the Colombia telecom authority can be found here.

  4. There is no change when calls are made between two Colombian mobile phone numbers. You must use the country code followed by the current 10-digit number.


For calls from international phone numbers to Colombian local and mobile numbers, use # international operator followed by the country code (+57) and the new 10-digit number. Outbound international calls from Colombian numbers will not be affected.

What is required from you?

  • Before you start using and distributing the new 10 digits numbers, please ensure that the existing rules, configurations, and call workflows that apply to the old 8-digit number are replicated for the new 10-digit number. 

  • Once the above step is complete, we suggest you update customer support numbers on all the properties (such as websites, ads, etc.) so that your customers can reach you using the new 10-digit numbers. 

When is the change happening?

The following graph shows the key dates to help you facilitate this transition:

 For any queries, contact us at [email protected].