If this happens to me one day, do you know what steps to take if I lose my passport abroad?
Elias
Dear reader,
First, don’t worry, you won’t be blocked ad vitam eternalam: abroad. But to return to France, you will have to take steps, which, you must agree, will add a bitter taste to your holidays… The first thing to do in case of loss: physically go to the embassy or consulate France Abroad (list by country available here). If it’s a flight, you need it first file a complaint with the police local. You will need to receive a theft report to proceed with your procedures. To avoid fraudulent use of your ID, it is best to report the loss or theft as soon as possible.
Passage back to France
Once the report of loss or theft has been finalized, you can make a claim to pass at the embassy or consulate. This document, generally issued within 24 hours, is valid for one trip to France for 30 days from its date of issue. To obtain it, you must present a declaration of loss or theft, any proof of identity (a scanned copy is valid) and a copy of your ticket to France (eg a plane ticket). You must also pay a chancellor’s fee of €55. After returning to France, this free passage must be given to the border control authorities.
Note that: temporary passport can only be granted urgently (within a maximum of 48 hours) in special cases for humanitarian, medical or professional reasons. It is not intended for transit tourists unless they need to continue their journey in another country. “An emergency release is granted on an ad hoc basis and is not automatic.“, the website Service-public.fr reminds. Therefore, the easiest way is to get an authorized pass and then apply for a passport extension once you are back in France.
In order to facilitate all these steps, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers on its website “keep separate two-sided photocopy [des documents d’identité] or scan them and email them to your own email address. to the address In case of loss or theft, it will be enough to obtain them from the Internet, which will facilitate the request for renewal of these documents.“. To avoid any disappointment, it is always best to leave your passport in your hotel room safe.
What if I find my passport?
“If you have reported the loss of your passport and found it, inform the police about it. Do not attempt to travel with it», advises Interpol on its website. The document is at risk of being irrevocably invalid. “If you try to use it, the border police may subject you to a time-consuming and stressful inspection, with no guarantee that you will be able to continue on your way.In this case, the found document should be returned to the administration: municipality, prefecture or embassy.
Source: Le Figaro
