What to Do If You Lose Your Passport While Traveling Abroad

Losing your passport abroad feels like a nightmare, but it is solvable if you act quickly. Go to the nearest embassy or consulate of your home country — this is your first and most important step. Before you go, file a police report in the local jurisdiction where the loss happened. You will need this report for the embassy and potentially for insurance.

The embassy can issue an emergency travel document or a temporary passport that allows you to return home. Bring any identification you have — a photocopy of your passport, a driver's license, anything. This is why experienced travelers keep digital copies of their passport in a secure cloud folder. While you wait, contact your airline to inform them and check if your travel insurance covers document replacement costs.