- Barcelona saw the highest number of emergency travel document applications. With 5,570 requests made between 2019 and 2023.
- One in 10 (8%) of Brits admit to losing their passport while they were away. A third (27%) of those needed to travel outside of the country to get an emergency travel document
- On average, Brits travelled 99 miles to reach the nearest embassy, paying out around £221, on average, to get there
- 12% have also lost their passport before they travelled, with 1 in 3 (29%) having to cancel or reschedule (26%) their plans as a result. This cost them £227, on average
- How do I apply for emergency travel documents? Alvaro Inturmendi, travel insurance expert at Confused.com explains the process and how travel insurance can help
More than 83,000 applications for emergency travel documents to replace lost or stolen UK passports were made between 2019 and 2023, new data reveals(1).
New Freedom of Information data obtained by Confused.com from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office found that more than 22,000 applications were made last year (2023) alone for lost or stolen passports outside the UK. This is up from just over 21,000 the previous year (2022).
Emergency travel documents (ETD), or emergency passports, are temporary documents that allow people to get back home if they lose their passport abroad. They can also be used if a passport is damaged, stolen or with a foreign embassy. These are usually issued by the British Embassy in a given country. While the process can be pretty quick, easy, and usually completed online, holidaymakers may be required to travel further afield to get their hands on one.
According to the data, Barcelona saw the highest number of applications over the 5-year period. During this time, 5,570 people applied for an EDT for a lost or stolen passport. This is followed by Alicante, with 3,770 applications. Fortunately, travellers in Spain have multiple embassies or consulates they could travel to, depending on their location, including Madrid, Ibiza and Palma, meaning their expenses could be lower. And this is generally the case for larger countries. However, those travelling to places like Croatia or the Czech Republic could be required to travel to the single embassy. And depending on where they are staying, this could be costly for them, especially if they have to travel to the mainland if staying on an island(3).
Further research of 2,000 UK adults found that around 1 in 10 (8%) of Brits have lost their passports while travelling abroad. Of these, around half (51%) managed to find it before they travelled home. However, others had to apply for an ETD, with around 1 in 3 (27%) needing to travel outside of the country they were visiting in order to get one. As a result, those who had to visit an embassy had to travel 99 miles on average, one way. To get to the embassy, a taxi was the most common option (62%), but with the average travel time to the embassy around 3 hours, some also went by other means. More than half (52%) hired their own private car, while 40% had to get a plane. Others went by bus or coach (37%) and even by boat (22%). So with a long journey ahead , it’s no surprise that the average person said they spent £221, on average, when travelling to get to their nearest embassy.
But how can insurance help in this instance? You can usually reclaim the ETD cost, which is typically £100. Whether your travel expenses are refundable depends on your policy. Of those who had travel insurance and managed to get some money back, they received £305, on average. But 4% couldn’t claim through their insurance. This is something that is always best to check with an insurer before buying. Travelling across a country, or having to fly to another island could prove costly, especially if more than one person has to apply.
Although, the research also found that it isn’t just losing a passport abroad that has left holidaymakers out of pocket. Around 1 in 10 (12%) of Brits have also lost their passport before their travels, with around 1 in 3 (29%) having to cancel or reschedule (26%) their plans. This cost them £227, on average, in lost holiday costs. Those who claimed on their travel insurance were able to get back £298, on average. However, more than half (55%) were able to get a new passport in time for their holiday, with 63% of those having to travel to an embassy within the UK. This took 6 days on average.
With so many people losing or misplacing their passport, it’s no surprise that 71% keep it in a dedicated safe space, saving themselves the stress of digging it out at the eleventh hour. But replacing a passport can be a costly experience, whether abroad or in the UK. Passports today cost up to £100 for a standard traveller(2), and this would be paid whether a passport needs renewing, is lost or stolen, or damaged.
For those still waiting to go on holiday, knowing how to apply for an emergency travel document can save stress. It will avoid panic while away. The research found how just 1 in 5 (20%) knew the process of obtaining an emergency travel document when abroad. Confused.com’s guide helps people understand how to apply for an emergency travel document. It also includes the embassies and consulates for different countries across the world, so they know where they may be required to go.
Alvaro Inturmendi, travel insurance expert at Confused.com comments, “While everyone aims to keep their passport safe while on holiday, this isn’t always possible. The application for an emergency travel document is doable online, but it can require extra travel costs and the panic of "how will I get home?”
“What people may not realise is that they may need to travel quite far to complete their application, as identity checks are often required. And for those staying in remote locations, or on an island, this could mean a whole day out of their holiday travelling, not to mention the costs. Understanding the process can help ease some of this stress, so you can act quickly and hopefully resolve the issue before your flight home. Our guide outlines the process of applying for an emergency travel document, including any costs you can expect.
“If you have travel insurance, this could help keep the costs of this down. The cost of the replacement passport can be covered on some policies, as well as the costs of any travel required. Remember to keep any receipts or invoices, as these will be needed for any claims. But the level of cover will vary depending on your policy, so if you’re unsure what you are entitled to claim for, always check with your insurer.”
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