Help abroad — Department of Foreign Affairs · Ireland

Direct answer

Consular help is for emergencies: serious illness or accident, a death, an arrest, a lost passport, a crisis or disaster, being a victim of crime — and it exists 24/7 through Department of Foreign Affairs — consular assistance (01 408 2000). It does not pay bills, book flights or intervene in private disputes, but it tells you who can, contacts family, and issues documents. For immediate danger, the local emergency number — 112 — emergency (112) — works in every EU country and most others. Money problems (medical bills, repatriation) are what travel insurance is for; Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) (01 567 7000) if it refuses.

Call firstDepartment of Foreign Affairs — consular assistance

Report to112 — emergency

If that failsFinancial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO)

🗣️ What to say

"I am a citizen of Ireland in [city, country]. [What happened: accident / illness / victim of crime / lost documents / crisis]. I need [help with…]. I am at [place] and can be reached at [number]."

🪜 Step by step

Danger now: 112Or the local number; the operator connects you to the right service in English in most places.
Consular line: Department of Foreign Affairs — consular assistanceThey know the local hospitals, police procedures and lawyers, and can contact your family.
Insurance assistance lineOn your policy card; they arrange and pay for medical care and repatriation. Call them early, not after.
DocumentsLost passport: see that page. Keep a photo of your documents in your phone and with someone at home.
Crisis or disasterRegister with your foreign ministry's travel-registration service so they can reach you; follow their travel advice.

📇 All contacts

Department of Foreign Affairs — consular assistanceConsular help abroad, 24/7 duty officerIn an emergency abroad📞 01 408 2000 🔗 www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/travel/assistance-abroad

112 — emergencyPolice, fire and ambulance, any EU country, freeDanger to life, fire, gas smell, someone hurt📞 112

Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO)Free, binding complaints against insurersAfter the insurer's final response📞 01 567 7000 🔗 www.fspo.ie

Crime Victims Helpline — 116 006Free victim support, information on the process, compensation tribunalAfter any crime📞 116 006 🔗 crimevictimshelpline.ie

❓ Frequently asked

Can the consulate lend me money?

In genuine emergencies, a repayable loan for a ticket home may be possible as a last resort. Family transfers via the consulate are more common.

I am a victim of crime abroad

Local police report, then the consulate, then victim support at home — see that page; EU rules let you report at home too.

Someone died abroad

The consulate helps with the local procedures, the documents and repatriation; the insurer usually pays the transport.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

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