Losing documents abroad

If your passport, driving licence or other important documents are lost or stolen abroad, try and inform the local police within 24 hours. Or as soon as you possibly can.

Make sure you get a written report and reference number. This will help in your application for a new passport or emergency travel document.

If you don’t need to travel back home from your trip urgently, you could order a replacement passport abroad.

To find out how long it might take, you can try the Government’s overseas passport tool for more information.

It’s important to cancel your lost or stolen passport as soon as possible. This will reduce the risk of it being used by criminals for identity theft.

It’s quick and simple to cancel your passport immediately online. And you can even cancel someone else’s passport if they can’t do it themselves.

If it’s your passport that’s missing, you should also contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission as soon as possible – ideally within 24 hours.

They can help you report the loss to the UK passport office and organise replacement travel documentation.

If you need to travel home urgently, for example on your pre-booked flight back home, you can apply for an emergency travel document.

This temporary document, sometimes called an emergency passport, costs £100 and can be applied for online.

Once you’ve completed your application, you’ll be told how and when you’ll get your emergency travel document.

This may include attending an appointment at the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate.

Read the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice for an up-to-date look at the destination you’re travelling to.

You’ll get a detailed guide to the social and political situation in the country you’re visiting. Plus, information on theft hotspots and common scams and crimes.

Make a copy of the personal details page and take a note of your passport number.

This will help the UK passport office quickly issue you with a new one if yours is lost or stolen.

You might also want to store scans or photocopies of your passport, driving licence and any other important documents in a password-protected online account.

If you lose the originals, you can easily print off any copies you might need to present to the authorities to get replacements.

It's a good idea to bring a combination of cash and cards, rather than carrying large amounts of cash on you. That way, you've got backup if one or the other goes missing.

Pre-paid currency cards are another option. We offer a Travel money card where you can load up to 15 currencies on to your card.

Make sure travel documents and valuables are kept in a safety deposit box rather than left out in your room.

If you don’t take reasonable care to keep important items locked away, you won’t be able to make a claim on your travel insurance.

* Up to 20% discount applies when you tell us your Nectar card number. Discount does not apply to premiums for pre-existing medical conditions or enhanced gadget cover. You won't be eligible if you buy through a price comparison website. We reserve the right to change or cancel this offer without notice.

This guide aims to be informative and engaging. Though it may include tips and information, it does not constitute advice and should not be used as a basis for any decision, financial or otherwise. Sainsbury's Bank accepts no responsibility for the opinions and views of external contributors and the content of external websites included within this guide. All information correct at date of publication.

Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Insurance is underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited. Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 13436330 and whose registered office address is 10 Fenchurch Avenue, London, United Kingdom, EC3M 5BN. Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Firm Reference Number 955859. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting; register.fca.org.uk.

Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Insurance is sold and administered by Hood Travel Limited, registered at Companies House 08318836. Hood Travel is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under registration number 597211. Hood Travel Limited’s registered address is at 2nd Floor, Decora Court, Tylers Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 2BB.