Area Code 5 – South-West Region
The phone area code for South-West Region is 5 (international format +33 5). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 5
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of South-West Region
Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction
The French geographic area code 05 is assigned to the South-West region of metropolitan France, encompassing a broad administrative jurisdiction that includes the former regions of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie (western part), and portions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. This area covers major cities such as Bordeaux, Toulouse, Pau, Biarritz, Limoges, Clermont-Ferrand, and Montpellier (western districts). The code is part of the national numbering plan administered by ARCEP (Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes) under the ITU-T E.164 country code +33.
Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions
For local callers within France, the number is dialed in national format as a 10-digit number starting with 05, e.g., 05 56 XX XX XX for Bordeaux. When calling from abroad, the leading 0 is dropped, and the country code +33 is used, resulting in the international format +33 5 56 XX XX XX. For example, a caller from the United States would dial 011 33 5 56 XX XX XX. Local callers must always include the full 10-digit number, even when dialing within the same city, as the area code is an integral part of the subscriber number.
Overlay and Numbering Evolution
As of the latest ARCEP updates, the 05 area code does not have an overlay code; it remains a dedicated geographic code for the South-West. However, due to number exhaustion, ARCEP has implemented measures such as number pooling and the introduction of new number ranges within the 05 block. In 2023, ARCEP announced that the 05 code would continue to serve the region, but some new subscribers may receive numbers from adjacent codes if the 05 block is fully allocated. It is essential for businesses to verify the exact geographic allocation of their numbers, especially when using them for local presence or emergency services routing.
Technical Considerations for Businesses and VoIP
Geographic numbers like 05 are used by both traditional PSTN lines and VoIP services. When a VoIP provider assigns a 05 number, it is still considered geographic, meaning that the number is tied to a specific physical location for emergency services (e.g., 112) and for caller line identification. However, with number portability, a 05 number can be moved to a different operator or even used outside the geographic region, but the number retains its original geographic designation. For businesses, using a 05 number can enhance local trust and is often used for customer service lines. International callers should note that calls to +33 5 numbers are billed as standard international calls, and some toll-free or special service numbers are not accessible from abroad.