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Abroad · Germany
Updated September 2026

🛂 I lost my passport abroad — how do I get home?

Direct answer

Report the loss or theft to the local police — the report is what the consulate and the insurer need — then contact Auswärtiges Amt — Bürgerservice / Krisenreaktionszentrum (030 5000 2000), the consular emergency line of Germany: the nearest embassy or consulate issues an emergency travel document within a day or two, on presentation of the report, a photo, another ID or proof of nationality, and a fee. No embassy nearby? Any other EU country's embassy must help EU citizens. Travel insurance — Versicherungsombudsmann (0800 3696000) if it refuses — covers the extra costs.

Call firstAuswärtiges Amt — Bürgerservice / Krisenreaktionszentrum
Report toPolizei — Onlinewache
If that failsVersicherungsombudsmann

🗣️ What to say

"I am a citizen of Germany in [city, country]. My passport was [lost / stolen] on [date]; police report [number]. I am travelling on [date] and need an emergency travel document. Which consulate is nearest, what do you need, and can I book an appointment?"

🪜 Step by step

  1. Police reportLocal police station; ask for a copy in English if possible.
  2. Consular line: Auswärtiges Amt — Bürgerservice / Krisenreaktionszentrum24/7 in most countries. They tell you the nearest post and what to bring.
  3. Emergency documentPhotos (any photo shop), the report, a copy of the old passport if you have one, fee. Valid for the trip home only.
  4. No embassy of GermanyAny other EU member state's consulate is obliged to help EU citizens on the same terms.
  5. Insurance and airlineKeep receipts; tell the airline you will travel on an emergency document — some routes need a visa check.

📇 All contacts

Auswärtiges Amt — Bürgerservice / KrisenreaktionszentrumConsular help abroad, emergency lineIn an emergency abroad📞 030 5000 2000🔗 www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/service/konsularinfo
Polizei — OnlinewacheOnline report, reference number immediatelyAlways — the basis for bank, insurer and platform🔗 www.polizei.de/Polizei/DE/Einrichtungen/Onlinewache/onlinewache_node.html
VersicherungsombudsmannFree dispute resolution with insurers, binding up to €10,000After the insurer's refusal📞 0800 3696000🔗 www.versicherungsombudsmann.de
Bürgeramt / EinwohnermeldeamtRegistration, certificates, tax ID, ID cardsWithin 14 days of moving in🔗 www.bmi.bund.de

❓ Frequently asked

Can I fly home with just the police report?

No; you need an emergency document or a temporary passport. Within Schengen a national ID card also works if you have one.

My residence permit was in the passport

Tell Auswärtiges Amt — Bürgerservice / Krisenreaktionszentrum and the immigration authority at home; you may need a return visa. Start the same day.

Children's passports

Same procedure; both parents' consent may be required for a minor's emergency document.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “lost passport abroad Germany embassy”
  • “emergency travel document”
  • “passport stolen on holiday what to do”
  • “consular emergency number Germany”
  • “eu citizen no embassy help”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

🪪ID or passport lost→🆘Help abroad→🔓Arrested abroad→

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