What to do if you lose your passport abroad

Losing your passport on a trip can be stressful – but it isn’t a disaster if you know what to do. This guide walks you through who to contact, how to apply for an Emergency Travel Document, and how your travel insurance may be able to help.

Published: 8 June 2026

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Page contents

What should I do first if my passport is lost or stolen abroad? How do I report a lost or stolen passport? How do I find the nearest British embassy or consulate? What is an Emergency Travel Document and how do I apply for one?

Does Tesco Travel Insurance cover a lost passport? Choosing the right travel insurance cover How can I protect my passport while travelling? Quick summary: what to do if you lose your passport abroad

What should I do first if my passport is lost or stolen abroad?

Stay calm, retrace your steps, and take action in this order:

1. Check your hotel room, bag, and any places you have visited before assuming the worst.1. Check your hotel room, bag, and any places you have visited before assuming the worst.
2. If you think it’s been stolen, report it to the local police immediately and ask for a written copy of your report – you’ll need this for any insurance claim.2. If you think it’s been stolen, report it to the local police immediately and ask for a written copy of your report – you’ll need this for any insurance claim.
3. Contact the nearest British embassy, high commission, or consulate to report the loss and begin the process to get a replacement passport.3. Contact the nearest British embassy, high commission, or consulate to report the loss and begin the process to get a replacement passport.
4. Notify your travel insurance provider as soon as possible.4. Notify your travel insurance provider as soon as possible.
5. Inform staff at your accommodation so they can help you and keep an eye out for it.5. Inform staff at your accommodation so they can help you and keep an eye out for it.

Don’t delay because the sooner you act, the quicker you’ll fix the situation.

How do I report a lost or stolen passport?

You need to report your lost or stolen passport in two places:

The local police

If your passport has been stolen – or you think it might have been – go to the nearest police station and report it. Ask for an official crime reference number and a written copy of the loss report. Keep this document safe, as you’ll need it to make an insurance claim, and for applying for a replacement document.

HM Passport Office

You should also report the loss to HM Passport Office online. Reporting your passport as lost prevents anyone else from using it (for travel or identity theft) while you’re arranging a replacement.

If you’ve also lost or had luggage stolen, see our guide – Lost and stolen luggage abroad.

How do I find the nearest British embassy or consulate?

Your nearest British embassy, high commission, or consulate is your most important point of contact when dealing with a lost passport abroad. They can help you apply for an Emergency Travel Document and provide consular assistance.

To find your nearest British embassy or consulate:

Use GOV.UK to find a British embassy – this directory is always up to date.Use GOV.UK to find a British embassy – this directory is always up to date.
Call the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) emergency helpline if you need urgent assistance outside of office hours.Call the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) emergency helpline if you need urgent assistance outside of office hours.
Ask your hotel reception – staff are often experienced in pointing travellers towards the right consular services.Ask your hotel reception – staff are often experienced in pointing travellers towards the right consular services.

Once you make contact, embassy staff will advise you on making an appointment, fees, and the documents you’ll need to bring. Processing times can vary by country, so contact them as soon as possible.

Handy tip

Before you travel, save the contact details of the British embassy or consulate for your destination in your phone. It takes seconds and could save you valuable time in an emergency.

What is an Emergency Travel Document and how do I apply for one?

An Emergency Travel Document (ETD) – sometimes called an emergency passport – is a temporary travel document issued by a British embassy or consulate when you need to travel and can’t get a full replacement passport in time.

Who is eligible?

You can apply for an ETD if you’re a British national, you’re abroad, and you can’t get a new passport quickly enough for your travel. An ETD is typically valid for a single journey back to the UK, or for limited travel, depending on your circumstances.

How do I apply?

1. Contact your nearest British embassy or consulate to arrange an appointment.1. Contact your nearest British embassy or consulate to arrange an appointment.
2. Apply at the embassy or online2. Apply at the embassy or online.
3. Provide a passport photo that meets official requirements.3. Provide a passport photo that meets official requirements.
4. Show proof of your travel plans, such as your flight booking or itinerary.4. Show proof of your travel plans, such as your flight booking or itinerary.
5. Pay the relevant fee – check the current amount on GOV.UK before your appointment.5. Pay the relevant fee – check the current amount on GOV.UK. before your appointment.
6. Bring any supporting identification you have (like a driving licence, birth certificate, or a scanned copy of your passport).6. Bring any supporting identification you have (like a driving licence, birth certificate, or a scanned copy of your passport).

Processing times vary, so contact the embassy as soon as possible and follow their specific guidance for the country you’re in.

Depending on your policy, your travel insurance may cover some of the costs associated with getting emergency travel documents.

Does Tesco Travel Insurance cover a lost passport?

Tesco Travel Insurance can provide cover in two key situations relating to lost or stolen travel documents, subject to your policy terms and conditions.

If your passport or visa is lost or stolen during your trip

Your policy may cover necessary extra travel and accommodation expenses to get an emergency passport or visa – allowing you to continue your trip or return home.

To be eligible for this cover, you must have:

Taken all reasonable steps to keep your passport safe.Taken all reasonable steps to keep your passport safe.
Reported the theft to the police (in the case of theft) and retained a copy of the report.Reported the theft to the police (in the case of theft) and retained a copy of the report.
Kept a copy of any report from the embassy or consulate.Kept a copy of any report from the embassy or consulate.
Your receipts for any extra costs available as evidence to support your claim.Your receipts for any extra costs available as evidence to support your claim.

It’s important you know

That cover doesn’t apply to passports left unattended in a motor vehicle or in a public area such as a beach, bar, pool, restaurant, or similar location. Please make sure your documents are always stored securely.

If your trip is cancelled because your passport is stolen before you travel

Cancellation cover may also apply if your travel documents – or those of someone travelling with you – are stolen before your trip, making it impossible for you to travel on the originally scheduled dates.

To support a cancellation claim, you’ll need to provide evidence that you did everything you could to get replacement documents that would have allowed you to keep your original travel dates.

Always check your policy

Take a look at your policy cover summary to confirm the exact claim limits and conditions that apply to your cover. If you’re unsure, contact us before making a claim.

As with all claims, cover is subject to the usual terms, conditions, and exclusions of your policy.

For more helpful advice on travel disruption, see our guide – Will travel insurance cover cancellation and disruptions?

Choosing the right travel insurance cover

Getting the right type of travel insurance doesn't just depend on the type of trip you're taking, it depends on the kind of traveller you are.

With Tesco Travel Insurance, you have 3 options:

Single Trip Travel InsuranceSingle Trip Travel Insurance
Annual Multi Trip Travel InsuranceAnnual Multi Trip Travel Insurance
Backpacker Travel InsuranceBackpacker Travel Insurance

We also have a range of optional extras – like Gadget Cover, Cruise Cover and Winter Sports Cover – so you can get more cover to suit your needs.

For more information about the different types of travel insurance, see – What type of travel insurance should I get?

How can I protect my passport while travelling?

These practical steps can significantly reduce the risk of losing your passport abroad.

Keep it secure at all times

Use the in-room safe at your hotel or accommodation to store your passport whenever you don’t need it.Use the in-room safe at your hotel or accommodation to store your passport whenever you don’t need it.
Carry your passport in an inside pocket, a money belt, or a secure cross-body bag – never in a back pocket or an open bag.Carry your passport in an inside pocket, a money belt, or a secure cross-body bag – never in a back pocket or an open bag.
Avoid carrying your passport unnecessarily. Once you’ve checked in, there’s rarely a need to take it out and about.Avoid carrying your passport unnecessarily. Once you’ve checked in, there’s rarely a need to take it out and about.
Never leave your passport unattended in a public area – places like beaches, restaurants, bars, or by the pool.Never leave your passport unattended in a public area – places like beaches, restaurants, bars, or by the pool.

Make copies before you travel

Take a clear copy of the photo page of your passport and pack it separately from the original.Take a clear copy of the photo page of your passport and pack it separately from the original.
Leave a copy with a trusted friend or family member at home.Leave a copy with a trusted friend or family member at home.
Scan your passport and email the picture to yourself so you always have it with you.Scan your passport and email the picture to yourself so you always have it with you.
Store a photo of your passport in a secure cloud service or photo album on your phone.Store a photo of your passport in a secure cloud service or photo album on your phone.

Plan ahead

Before you travel, check your passport meets the entry requirements for your destination. Rules can vary by country, so it’s best to check the latest guidance on GOV.UK.Before you travel, check your passport meets the entry requirements for your destination. Rules can vary by country, so it’s best to check the latest guidance on GOV.UK.
Note the contact details of the British embassy or consulate at your destination.Note the contact details of the British embassy or consulate at your destination.
Carry another form of official photo ID – like a driving licence – in a separate place.Carry another form of official photo ID – like a driving licence – in a separate place.

Quick summary: what to do if you lose your passport abroad

Retrace your steps and check all your belongings thoroughly.Retrace your steps and check all your belongings thoroughly.
Report the loss or theft to local police and get a written report.Report the loss or theft to local police and get a written report.
Report the loss to HM Passport Office online at GOV.UK.Report the loss to HM Passport Office online at GOV.UK.
Contact the nearest British embassy or consulate and arrange an appointment.Contact the nearest British embassy or consulate and arrange an appointment.
Apply for an Emergency Travel Document if you need one.Apply for an Emergency Travel Document if you need one.
Notify your travel insurance provider and keep all receipts and documentation.Notify your travel insurance provider and keep all receipts and documentation.

Learn more about Travel Insurance

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Key product information

Tesco Travel Insurance is arranged and administered by Rock Insurance Services Limited and underwritten by AWP P&C S.A.

Important information

The content on this page aims to offer an informative introduction to the subject matter but does not constitute expert financial advice specific to your own situation. All facts and figures were correct at time of publication and were compiled using a range of sources.