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Emergency Abroad: What to Do & How Embassies Help

Emergencies abroad can be frightening and disorienting, especially when you are far from home, may not speak the local language, and are unfamiliar with local laws and procedures. Knowing what your embassy or consulate can do before you need them is one of the most important pieces of travel preparation. This guide covers the most common emergency situations British citizens face abroad and explains exactly how the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and British embassies can help.

Lost or Stolen Passport

Losing your passport abroad is stressful but manageable if you follow the right steps:

1. Report to local police: File a report at the nearest police station and get a written record or reference number. This is essential for insurance claims and for obtaining a replacement document.
2. Contact the nearest British embassy or consulate: They can issue an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) to get you home. If it is outside office hours, call the FCDO emergency line on +44 20 7008 5000.
3. Gather identity evidence: Any form of identification helps. A photocopy of your passport (stored separately from the original or emailed to yourself), a driving licence, or a national insurance card can all help confirm your identity.
4. Get passport photos: You will need photos for the emergency document. Some embassy locations can take these on site.
5. Cancel and replace: The ETD gets you home. Once back in the UK, apply for a full replacement passport through the normal channels.

Prevention tip: Before travelling, photograph your passport and email it to yourself. Store a photocopy separately from your passport. Note your passport number and the nearest British embassy address. These simple steps make the recovery process much faster.

Arrested or Detained Abroad

Being arrested in a foreign country is one of the most serious situations you can face abroad. The laws, procedures, and conditions may be very different from what you are used to in the UK. Your rights as a British citizen in this situation include:

• The right to contact the British embassy or consulate
• The right to have the embassy informed of your detention
• The right to consular visits while in detention

What the embassy will do:

• Visit you in prison or detention as soon as possible
• Provide a list of local English-speaking lawyers
• Contact your family or friends to let them know your situation (with your permission)
• Ensure you are being treated humanely and in accordance with local laws
• Provide information about the local legal system and procedures
• Continue to check on your welfare through regular visits

Serious Illness or Hospitalisation

If you become seriously ill or are hospitalised abroad, your embassy can:

• Help you find appropriate medical care and English-speaking doctors
• Contact your family, friends, or employer
• Help arrange medical evacuation to the UK in extreme cases (usually at your expense)
• Provide information about local medical facilities
• Help communicate with medical staff if there is a language barrier
• Assist with accessing your travel insurance

Important: The embassy cannot pay for your medical treatment. This is why travel insurance is so important. Without insurance, you are personally liable for all medical costs, which can be extremely high in some countries. Some countries will not discharge you from hospital until the bill is paid.

Death of a British National Abroad

If a British national dies abroad, the embassy provides support to the family and helps navigate the complex processes that follow:

• Confirming the identity of the deceased
• Contacting next of kin in the UK
• Providing information about local procedures and requirements
• Advising on options for repatriation of remains or local burial/cremation
• Helping obtain a local death certificate
• Registering the death with the UK authorities
• Providing a list of local funeral directors

Repatriation of remains can be complex and expensive (typically 3,000 to 10,000 GBP depending on the country). Travel insurance that includes repatriation cover is strongly recommended. The embassy cannot cover these costs.

Natural Disaster or Civil Unrest

In the event of a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or civil unrest, the FCDO and British embassies activate their crisis response:

• The FCDO updates travel advice on GOV.UK immediately
• The embassy opens an emergency hotline and reception centre if needed
• Consular staff work to locate and assist British nationals in the affected area
• In extreme cases, the UK government may organise evacuation flights or convoys
• The FCDO communicates with registered travellers via email and social media

Monitor FCDO travel advice before and during your trip. In a crisis, follow instructions from local authorities and your embassy. If you cannot reach the embassy, call the FCDO emergency line.

What Embassies CAN Do

What Embassies CANNOT Do

Victim of Crime Abroad

If you are a victim of crime abroad:

• Report the crime to local police immediately and get a written report or reference number
• Seek medical attention if injured
• Contact the nearest British embassy or consulate for support
• Contact your travel insurance provider to report the incident
• If your bank cards were stolen, contact your bank to cancel them

The embassy can provide a list of local English-speaking lawyers, help you contact your insurance company, and provide emotional support. They can also help replace stolen passports with an emergency travel document.

Preparing for Emergencies Before You Travel

The best time to prepare for an emergency abroad is before you leave:

• Buy travel insurance: Ensure it covers medical treatment, repatriation, and your planned activities. Check the policy limits and exclusions carefully.
• Check FCDO travel advice: Visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for your destination. Note any warnings, entry requirements, and local laws.
• Note embassy details: Save the address and phone number of the nearest British embassy in your phone and on paper.
• Save the emergency number: Add +44 20 7008 5000 to your phone contacts under "FCDO Emergency".
• Copy your passport: Take a photocopy and email a scan to yourself. Store copies separately from the original.
• Share your itinerary: Leave a copy of your travel plans with a trusted person at home.
• Register with the FCDO: If travelling to a high-risk area, let the embassy know you are in the country.