If your passport is lost or stolen while you are abroad, this can be a very worrying and stressful situation. If you are looking for information regarding a lost passport abroad, what to do in this situation, then the information you need to get home as soon as possible is to cancel your lost passport, report the loss to the local police and then check if you are eligible for an Emergency Travel Document.
Cancel Your Passport Immediately
First report the loss of your passport to the UK authorities to cancel it. If your passport is stolen then report it to the police and obtain a police report which is needed for your ETD application. This step needs to be completed first as you cannot apply for an ETD until your lost or stolen passport has been cancelled by the UK authorities. This can be done online through the UK government’s website within a few minutes using your old passport details and personal information.
Get A Local Police Report
Many countries require a police report to be issued for a lost passport before they can issue any travel documents to help you continue your journey. Some countries’ issuing processes also require a police report to be issued before they can issue an emergency travel document. In Spain this would be a denuncia which can be handed in at any Policia Nacional station. They also have an online reporting system for denuncias which can be found through the regional police force’s website. If you are in immediate danger then you can call for help on the European emergency number 112 which is available throughout Spain and most other countries in Europe.
Check You Qualify For An Emergency Travel Document
An emergency travel document (ETD) is issued to British nationals who have lost their passport whilst abroad. The holder must be a British national, be abroad and intend to travel from outside the UK within the next six weeks. Full information on how to apply for an ETD including who can apply and what an ETD covers is available on the government’s website. Note an ETD is only valid for a single journey and this can include up to 5 countries if the journey involves travelling through several countries before returning to the UK.
What An ETD Actually Covers
Important information regarding what an ETD covers to get you home as quickly as possible. An ETD is for one journey only and this can include up to 5 countries if your journey home involves travelling through several countries. For example, if you lose your passport while on holiday in Spain and you need to return to the UK, the ETD will allow travel through France if necessary. However, please be aware that an ETD only covers the travel as detailed and if your travel plans change you will require a further ETD for your continued travel. More on lost passport abroad what to do can be found at https://travelsnews.co.uk/destinations/the-honest-map-you-never-thought-to-read/.
The Pre-2006 Passport Trap
One thing to bear in mind is that if you have never held a pre-2006 passport then you may not be eligible for an ETD. This applies to people who have only previously held full passports issued on or after 1 January 2006. This includes children who have never previously held a full passport. If you are a British national outside of the UK and require travel in less than 6 weeks then you should apply for a full passport instead as this will take longer to issue if you are applying from abroad.
What To Have Ready Before You Apply
If you have a lost passport abroad, having the following ready will help with the process of the emergency travel document application: the cancelled passport and its details if you have them; a police report; a recent passport size photo of yourself; and some proof of your travel that you will need to get home. Also, have some form of ID with you, this could be a drivers license, or other documents with your name and photo on. If you are missing some of these then you can usually apply for them to be substituted for, but this will take a bit longer to process.
Submitting The Application While Abroad
In general, applications for ETDs are submitted online and then reviewed by consular staff. In some cases, applicants may need to attend an Embassy, Consulate or even a visa application centre (AAC) in an authorized partner’s premises to confirm identity and collect a document. Links to support for British nationals abroad including country specific information and emergency contact details are also provided. Further country specific information on your destination and what to expect are also provided on honest guides to your destination.
Checklist: Lost Passport Abroad
Cancel your lost passport and get a police report (such as a denuncia in Spain). Check that you qualify for an Emergency Travel Document: you must travel within six weeks from abroad, and be outside the UK. Note that an ETD is only valid for a single journey and includes up to 5 countries. If your only previous passports were issued pre-2006, you may need to apply for a full passport instead.
