Britons heading to Spain have been issued a brand new warning regarding what to do if their passport is stolen.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office told holidaymakers: “If your passport is lost or stolen, you must renew your passport or apply for an emergency travel document. You cannot use a police report to leave Spain.”
Britons can renew their passport via GOV.UK, which costs £88.50. They will need a digital photo, credit or debit card, and their passport.
Passports can also be renewed using a paper application form, which costs £100 payable by debit or credit card – fill in the form in the application pack – or by cheque to ‘HM Passport Office’.
Britons have been issued a warning about travelling to Spain
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The FCDO added: “You will need two new and identical printed photos of yourself.”
Britons can acquire the paper form by going to a Post Office that has a Check and Send service, or by calling the Passport Adviceline.
Alternatively, Britons in Spain can apply for an emergency travel document. The FCDO said: “An emergency travel document lets you travel from abroad if you need to travel urgently and cannot use your UK passport. It is usually only valid for one single or return journey. You can travel through a maximum of five countries.”
The FCDO said: “You can apply for an emergency travel document if all the following apply: you’re a British national, you’re outside the UK, you need to travel within six weeks, your UK passport has been lost, stolen, damaged, is full, has recently expired or is with HM Passport Office or a foreign embassy, you cannot renew or replace your UK passport from abroad before you travel, and you have had a valid UK passport in the last 10 years.”
Those who have not held a UK passport in the last 10 years or had one that expired more than 10 years ago will usually need to apply for a UK passport instead of an emergency travel document.
The FCDO said: “You might be able to get an emergency travel document if all the following apply: you have, or are eligible for, British nationality, you’re outside the UK, you need to travel within six weeks, and you have an urgent and unplanned reason to travel due to exceptional circumstances.
“Exceptional circumstances may include if your child was born unexpectedly, you need urgent medical treatment that you cannot access without travel to another country, or you wish to attend the funeral of a close relative.
“If you have never held a UK passport, or not held one in the last 10 years, you cannot get emergency travel documents for activities such as holidays, weddings, family events and job interviews.
“You’ll have to explain and provide evidence to show why your journey is urgent and essential. Applications are assessed on a case by case basis.”
The FCDO has provided extensive guidance on travelling to Spain. Britons were advised: “No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
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If your passport is lost or stolen, you must renew your passport or apply for an emergency travel document
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Holidaymakers were encouraged to consult travel advice, particularly specific travel advice that applies to them. The FCDO provides guidance on women travellers, disabled travellers, LGBT+ travellers, solo and independent travel, volunteering and adventure travel.
Britons were told: “If you are planning to travel to Spain through France, check the travel advice for France before you start your journey.
“If you are planning to travel to Spain through Gibraltar, check the travel advice for Gibraltar before you start your journey.”
When travelling to Spain, ensure you consult the UK Government’s information on entry requirements, safety and security, health and getting help in an emergency.