Area Code 83 – Paro

Overview of Area Code 83 (Paro, Bhutan)

Area code 83 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Paro District in the Kingdom of Bhutan. Paro is one of the most historically significant valleys in Bhutan, home to the country's only international airport (Paro International Airport, PBH) and the iconic Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest). The code is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services within the district, including the town of Paro and its surrounding administrative blocks (gewogs).

Dialing Formats

When calling a fixed-line number in Paro from within Bhutan, the national trunk prefix 0 is dialed before the area code. The local number length is typically 6 digits after the trunk prefix and area code. The complete national dialing format is:

• National (within Bhutan): 0 83 XXX XXX
• International (from abroad): +975 83 XXX XXX

For example, a local Paro number might be 83 271 123. To call this from Thimphu (Bhutan's capital), you would dial 0 83 271 123. From the United States, you would dial 011 975 83 271 123 (or +975 83 271 123 from a mobile phone).

Geographic Coverage and Administration

The 83 code covers the entire Paro District, which is located in the western part of Bhutan. The district shares borders with Thimphu to the east, Haa to the west, and Chukha to the south. The main administrative center is Paro town, situated at an elevation of approximately 2,200 meters. The area code is administered by Bhutan Telecom Limited (BTL), the incumbent fixed-line operator, under the regulatory oversight of the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA).

Caller Instructions

Local callers (within Bhutan): If you are calling a Paro fixed-line number from another district, dial 0 followed by 83 and the six-digit subscriber number. If you are calling from within the same area code, you may often omit the trunk prefix and area code, but it is always safe to use the full national format.

International callers: Dial your country's international exit code (e.g., 011 from North America, 00 from most European countries), followed by Bhutan's country code 975, then 83 and the subscriber number. Do not dial the trunk prefix 0 when calling from abroad.

Overlays and Numbering Considerations

Bhutan's numbering plan is relatively small, and there are currently no overlay codes for Paro. The area code 83 is unique to Paro, and no other district shares this code. As of the latest BICMA updates, there are no plans to introduce an overlay in the near future. However, with the growth of VoIP and mobile services, fixed-line numbers in Paro may be subject to number portability, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when switching operators.