The Ultimate Guide To Country Code +63: 5 Critical Facts You Must Know Before Calling The Philippines (or Answering!)

Knowing the international country code +63 is more crucial than ever in December 2025. This code, which designates the Philippines, is essential for connecting with the country's over 117 million residents, whether for business, family, or travel. However, recent developments in telecommunications, including a major legislative change and a surge in global phone scams, have made understanding the nuances of the +63 code a matter of personal and financial safety, not just simple dialing.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the complex structure of Philippine phone numbers—from the 8-digit Manila landlines to the 10-digit mobile formats—and provides critical, up-to-date safety warnings about the notorious phone and text scams often originating from this code. Read on to ensure your calls connect and your personal data remains secure.

The +63 Country Code: A Quick Profile of the Philippines Telecommunications Landscape

The country code +63 is the international calling prefix for the Republic of the Philippines, an archipelagic nation in Southeast Asia. The country's telecommunications system is a dynamic and rapidly evolving sector, characterized by a high mobile penetration rate and a competitive market among major carriers.

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• Country Name: Republic of the Philippines (Pilipinas)
• International Code: +63
• ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3: PHL
• International Access Code (from PH): 00
• National Trunk Prefix (Domestic): 0
• Time Zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
• Total Phone Number Length (Mobile): 10 digits (after +63)
• Total Phone Number Length (Landline): Varies (typically 7 or 8 digits after Area Code)

Key Telecommunications Entities (Telcos) in the Philippines

The Philippine market is dominated by a few major players, which is important to know as their prefixes often dictate the first few digits of a mobile number.

• Globe Telecom: One of the largest and most established mobile network operators (MNOs).
• Smart Communications (PLDT): The wireless subsidiary of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), another major industry giant.
• DITO Telecommunity: The newest major player, which has rapidly expanded its network coverage since its launch.

How to Dial the Philippines: The Definitive +63 Number Format Guide

Dialing the Philippines correctly requires distinguishing between landline and mobile numbers, as their formats differ significantly. The general rule is always to drop the domestic trunk prefix '0' when using the international code +63.

1. Dialing a Philippine Mobile Number

Mobile numbers in the Philippines are consistently 10 digits long, following a 3-digit mobile prefix and a 7-digit subscriber number.

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The Format: [Your Exit Code] + 63 + [Mobile Prefix (3 digits)] + [Subscriber Number (7 digits)]

Example (from the US): 011 63 917 555 1234

Example (using the '+' sign): +63 917 555 1234

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Common Mobile Network Prefixes (LSI Keywords)

The 3-digit mobile prefix (often starting with '9') immediately identifies the network operator.

• Globe/TM Prefixes: 917, 927, 905, 906, 915, 995, 977, 976, etc.
• Smart/TNT Prefixes: 908, 918, 919, 920, 921, 928, 929, 930, 939, 947, 949, etc.
• DITO Prefixes: 991, 992, 993, 994 (DITO is a newer player with a growing range of prefixes).

2. Dialing a Philippine Landline Number

Landline numbers use a specific area code (1 to 4 digits) followed by the local number. A key update in 2019 standardized landlines in Metro Manila to 8 digits, a crucial detail for callers.

The Format: [Your Exit Code] + 63 + [Area Code] + [Local Number]

Major Landline Area Codes (Topical Authority)

• Metro Manila (NCR): Area Code 2. Local numbers are 8 digits long. (e.g., +63 2 XXXX XXXX)
• Cebu City: Area Code 32. Local numbers are 7 digits long.
• Davao City: Area Code 82. Local numbers are 7 digits long.
• Iloilo City: Area Code 33. Local numbers are 7 digits long.
• Baguio City: Area Code 74. Local numbers are 7 digits long.

The Critical Update: Philippines SIM Card Registration Act (RA 11934)

In a significant legislative move, the Philippines enacted the SIM Card Registration Act (Republic Act 11934) in 2022, a policy that has a direct, and current, impact on all mobile numbers under the +63 code.

The law mandates that all Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards must be registered with the respective Public Telecommunication Entities (PTEs) before activation.

• Purpose: The primary goal of the Act is to combat the rampant text message scams, phishing, and other mobile-related criminal activities that have plagued the country for years.
• Impact on Scams: While the law is intended to reduce the anonymity of scammers, the volume of scams originating from +63 numbers remains a critical issue for international callers, suggesting that enforcement and compliance are ongoing challenges.
• For Tourists/Visitors: Foreign visitors acquiring a local SIM card in the Philippines must also comply with the registration requirements, presenting identification like a passport.

Safety First: Why You Must Be Wary of Unsolicited +63 Calls and Texts

One of the most pressing reasons to be informed about the +63 country code today is the high volume of international phone and text scams often traced back to the Philippines. These scams target individuals globally, leveraging the country code to appear as a legitimate international contact.

The 5 Most Common +63 Phone Scams to Watch Out For

The following schemes are frequently reported globally, with the call or text originating from a +63 number.

1. The One-Ring Scam (Wangiri Scam): This involves a scammer calling and immediately hanging up, hoping the recipient will call the number back out of curiosity. The return call is directed to a premium-rate service, resulting in high international charges for the unsuspecting victim, with the scammer receiving a cut of the fee.
2. "Failed Delivery" Text Scam: Scammers send text messages pretending to be from a major shipping company (like UPS, FedEx, or a local postal service) claiming a package delivery failed and asking the recipient to click a malicious link to reschedule or pay a small fee. These texts often come from a +63 number.
3. E-ZPass/Toll Fee Phishing: Similar to the delivery scam, texts are sent claiming an unpaid toll fee or a violation, directing the user to a fake website to "pay" the fine, which is a tactic to steal credit card information.
4. Job Offer Scams: Unsolicited WhatsApp or text messages from +63 numbers offering easy, high-paying work-from-home jobs (like "optimizing" search results or "liking" videos) are common. These are phishing attempts designed to steal personal data or lead to investment fraud.
5. "Relative in Distress" Scams: A caller, sometimes using Voice over IP (VoIP) to mask their location but still using a +63 number, pretends to be a family member who is in trouble (e.g., arrested, in an accident) and urgently needs money wired to them.

Safety Protocol: What to Do If You Get a Call from +63

The general rule for any unexpected international call is caution.

• Do Not Call Back: Never return a missed call from a number you do not recognize, especially if it is a foreign number like +63.
• Never Click Links: Ignore any text message from a +63 number that asks you to click a link, provide personal information, or pay a small fee. Legitimate companies do not operate this way.
• Block and Report: Block the number immediately and report the incident to your local telecommunications provider or law enforcement agency.

LSI Entities and Keywords for Topical Authority

Understanding the full scope of the +63 code involves recognizing the entities and terms that govern its use:

• NTC (National Telecommunications Commission): The government agency responsible for overseeing the telecommunications sector in the Philippines.
• MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority): Relevant to the 8-digit landline number change in Metro Manila (Area Code 2).
• Mobile Number Portability (MNP): A feature allowing mobile users to switch networks (e.g., from Globe to Smart) while keeping their original 10-digit number.
• International Direct Dialing (IDD): The service that allows callers to dial internationally using the exit code.
• VoIP Services: Voice over Internet Protocol, often used by international callers (and scammers) to connect to +63 numbers.

By staying informed about the correct dialing procedures and the current safety risks associated with the +63 country code, you can ensure a seamless and secure connection to the Philippines in December 2025.