Colombia Universal Emergency Number: 123

Universal Emergency Emergency Service in Colombia — Complete Guide

When traveling to Colombia or living there as an expat, knowing the correct universal emergency number in Colombia is critical for emergency preparedness. The official emergency contact line for universal emergency services in Colombia is 123, which is operated and monitored by Policía Nacional de Colombia. 123 is the national unified emergency number connecting to police, ambulance, fire, and civil defense throughout Colombia. Available 24/7. Operators speak Spanish; English may be limited.

How to Dial 123 in Colombia

To reach the National Unified Emergency Number in Colombia, dial 123 from any local fixed line, cellular phone, or public payphone. Dialing from mobile devices is fully supported across local mobile operators and international roaming SIM cards. You can dial this emergency number even if your phone has no SIM card inserted or if the SIM card is locked. Calls to this emergency service are 100% free of charge — no prepaid airtime credit or active subscription plan is required.

Calling from International Roaming or Abroad

If you are within Colombia using an international roaming SIM card, you can dial 123 directly without any country code prefix. If you need to contact emergency dispatch in Colombia from an international location, the country calling code is +57.

Language & Communication with Dispatchers

Emergency operators in Colombia communicate primarily in es. If you do not speak es, remain calm and state your language immediately (e.g. "English, please"). Most national dispatch centers have access to telephonic interpretation services or English-speaking officers to ensure rapid dispatch.

What to Expect When You Dial 123

When you call the universal emergency number in Colombia, you will be connected to a trained dispatcher at Policía Nacional de Colombia. These operators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. When connected, clearly state:

• Your exact location (city, neighborhood, landmark, or GPS coordinates)
• The nature of the emergency (universal emergency assistance)
• Number of individuals involved or needing immediate medical/police/fire assistance
• Your contact number for callback if disconnected

All Emergency Numbers in Colombia

Please note that Colombia utilizes dedicated emergency lines for different agencies. Besides the Universal Emergency (123), the following emergency services can also be reached directly: National Unified Emergency Number (123), National Police (123), Emergency Medical Service (123), Firefighters (Bomberos) (123), GAULA Anti-Kidnapping and Extortion (165), Highway Police (Tránsito y Transporte) (#767). Additionally, the universal emergency contact number 112 is active across Colombia and will redirect calls to the appropriate local agency.

Official Regulatory & Government Source

The emergency number 123 is verified against official directories published by Policía Nacional de Colombia. Last verified on 2026-01. If you notice any outdated information or changed hotline details, please contact our editorial team so we can update the platform for traveler safety.