Almost every foreign embassy in Colombia sits in Bogotá, so if something goes wrong in Cartagena or Salento, the first step is usually a phone call or online form, not a visit. Details below come from official government pages, but offices move and phone lines change, so confirm on your government’s site before relying on a number.
Embassy contacts in Bogotá
- United Kingdom: Carrera 9 No. 76-49, Piso 8. Switchboard +57 601 326 8300 (choose the consular option). Visits by appointment only.
- United States: Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50. Main line +57 601 275 2000. American citizen services use an online contact form on co.usembassy.gov.
- Canada: Carrera 7 No. 114-33, Piso 14. Phone +57 601 657 9800. Canadians can also reach the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa at any hour.
- Australia: Avenida Carrera 9 No. 115-06, Edificio Tierra Firme, Oficina 2003. Phone +57 601 657 8030. After hours, the Consular Emergency Centre is on +61 2 6261 3305.
- Spain: Consulate General at Calle 94A No. 11A-70. The 24-hour emergency line for Spanish nationals is +57 316 4733216.
- Germany: Calle 110 No. 9-25, Piso 11. Phone +57 1 423 26 00. Out-of-hours on-call line for urgent cases: +57 320 8653717.
- France: Carrera 11 No. 93-12. Switchboard +57 1 638 14 00.
What to do in an emergency
Call 123 for police, ambulance or fire. Once you are safe, contact your embassy. In a serious situation, such as an arrest, a major accident or a natural disaster, say so at the start of the call. Keep a photo of your passport and your embassy’s number saved offline.
What embassies can and cannot do
They can issue emergency travel documents, help you reach family, give lists of local doctors and lawyers, visit you if you are detained, and advise during a crisis. They cannot pay bills, get you out of jail, override Colombian law or find you a hotel. Pair this page with our travel insurance guide (or get a quote) and the Colombia safety guide.
If you lose your passport
- Report it to the police. Get a written report (denuncia). Many reports can be started online at adenunciar.policia.gov.co.
- Contact your embassy for a temporary or emergency travel document. Expect to provide the police report, photos, ID evidence and your travel plans. A scan of the lost passport helps.
- Visit Migración Colombia. Foreigners generally need an exit permit before leaving without a valid passport, using the embassy document, the police report and your onward ticket.
- Check your entry status. Our visa requirements page explains stay limits, which matter if delays push you past your permitted days.
Allow several working days, especially if you are outside Bogotá, and avoid booking a non-refundable flight until the document is in hand.