A stolen handbag, a lost wallet or a passport that suddenly seems to have disappeared. Even the best-planned holiday in Italy can take an unexpected turn.
If you realise that your British passport has been lost or stolen while you are in Italy, don’t panic - but do act quickly.
The good news is that there is a clear procedure for British nationals. The most important thing is to report the loss, cancel the passport and, if necessary, arrange an Emergency Travel Document for your journey home.
Lost your passport in Italy? Do this first
If you have lost your British passport in Italy, the first thing you should do is report the loss or theft to the local Italian police.
You can report it to the Polizia di Stato or the Carabinieri.
If your passport was stolen, ask for a copy of the police report and keep it safe. It may be useful for your travel insurance and when dealing with the British authorities. GOV.UK also recommends reporting a stolen passport to the local police as soon as possible.
However, there is one very important point:
A police report is not a travel document.
According to the current UK government travel advice, you cannot use a police report to leave Italy. If you no longer have a valid passport, you will need to renew or replace it, or apply for an Emergency Travel Document.
Do not wait to see if your passport turns up
If you are fairly sure your passport has been lost or stolen, do not wait until the end of your holiday to deal with it.
You should cancel a lost or stolen British passport as soon as possible. This reduces the risk of someone else using the document or your identity. GOV.UK provides an online service for reporting a lost or stolen passport.
And remember: once your passport has been reported lost or stolen, it is no longer a valid travel document. Even if you find it later, you should not simply use it for your journey.
What if you lost your passport but still have another ID?
For British visitors to Italy, the situation is different from that of EU citizens.
A British citizen travelling to Italy normally needs a valid British passport. A British driving licence is not a substitute for a passport when travelling internationally.
Italy follows the Schengen rules for British passport holders. Your passport must generally have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the Schengen Area and must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave.
So if your passport has disappeared during your holiday, do not assume that a driving licence, a photograph of your passport or the police report will be enough to get you home.
What is an Emergency Travel Document?
If you are a British national abroad and need to travel urgently but cannot use your British passport because it has been lost, stolen or damaged, you may be able to apply for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD).
An ETD is not a replacement for a normal British passport.
It is generally used for one urgent journey, or a return journey, and can allow you to travel from abroad when you cannot use your passport.
The UK government says that an ETD can normally be used to travel through a maximum of five countries, so you should check that it will be accepted in every country on your route before travelling.
How much does an Emergency Travel Document cost?
The current fee for an Emergency Travel Document is £125.
The application fee is non-refundable. You can normally apply online if you have previously had a passport issued on or after 1 January 2006.
You will need: a digital passport photograph, a telephone number, an email address, a debit or credit card to pay the fee.
If you have lost your wallet as well as your passport, someone else can pay the fee for you.
How long does an Emergency Travel Document take?
GOV.UK says that an approved Emergency Travel Document will usually be ready to collect 2 working days after you apply.
However, it can take longer if, for example your previous passport has expired, you are applying for a child under 16, additional documents or information are required, you need to attend an appointment.
If your travel plans change after the document has been issued, you may need to apply again and pay the fee again.
What if you are travelling with children?
Children need their own travel documents.
If your child loses their British passport while you are in Italy, you should report the loss and then arrange the appropriate replacement document.
Parents or guardians can apply for an Emergency Travel Document on behalf of a child under 16. GOV.UK states that the child will normally need to attend an appointment with both parents or legal guardians, unless appropriate consent is provided by a parent or guardian who cannot attend.
This is another reason why it is worth keeping copies or photographs of everyone's passports separately from the original documents.
Where can British citizens get help in Italy?
The main British diplomatic mission is the British Embassy in Rome.
There is also a British Consulate General in Milan, which covers northern Italy.
However, you do not necessarily need to walk into the embassy immediately after losing your passport.
For passport and Emergency Travel Document services, you should first check the current GOV.UK guidance and follow the online application process where available.
The British Embassy in Rome states that public access is by appointment only.
British Embassy in Rome
Via XX Settembre 80/a
00187 Rome, Italy
For emergencies or consular enquiries, use the contact information provided on the official GOV.UK website.
British Consulate General in Milan
Via S. Paolo, 7
20121 Milan, Italy
The consulate represents the UK government in northern Italy and provides services to British nationals living in or visiting the region.
Can you fly home with just the police report?
No - you should not rely on it.
This is one of the most important things to know.
The current UK government travel advice for Italy specifically states that you cannot use a police report to leave Italy after losing your passport. You must renew or replace your passport or apply for an Emergency Travel Document.
So even if the Italian police give you official confirmation that your passport has been lost or stolen, that document does not replace your passport for international travel.
What if your flight home is tomorrow?
If you are due to travel very soon, deal with the problem immediately.
GOV.UK advises people who need an Emergency Travel Document to travel urgently from abroad to apply as soon as possible. If your journey is within the next 24 hours, you should contact the relevant British authorities urgently.
Do not wait until you are standing at the airport.
Airlines and border authorities need to be able to verify that you have the correct travel document for your journey.
What should you take with you?
Anything that can help confirm your identity can make the process easier.
If you have them, keep ready:
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a photo or copy of your lost passport,
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another form of identification,
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your passport number,
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the Italian police report,
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your travel details,
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a digital passport photograph,
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details of your travel insurance.
A photograph of your passport on your phone can be particularly useful.
It does not replace the original passport, but it can provide important information when you are trying to sort out a replacement document.
What if your whole wallet was stolen?
If your passport disappeared together with your wallet, do not forget about everything else that may have been inside it.
Immediately consider:
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bank cards,
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credit cards,
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driving licence,
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health insurance cards,
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cash,
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hotel keys,
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residence documents, if applicable.
Cancel stolen bank cards as soon as possible and contact your travel insurer if you have insurance.
If your driving licence was also stolen, remember that the British Embassy and consulate cannot simply issue you a new UK driving licence. That is handled by the relevant UK authority.
What if you are travelling onwards from Italy?
This is particularly important if Italy is only one stop on your trip.
An Emergency Travel Document can have restrictions on which countries you can travel through and may require visas or other permissions depending on your route. GOV.UK specifically recommends checking that the ETD will be accepted in all countries you plan to leave, enter or transit.
So if your original itinerary was: Italy → France → Spain → UK do not assume that an Emergency Travel Document will automatically work for every part of the journey.
Check before you travel.
One small tip before your Italian holiday
Take a photo of your passport and save it somewhere secure before you leave home.
And save the official GOV.UK guidance for lost or stolen passports and Emergency Travel Documents on your phone.
Hopefully, you will never need it.
But if you suddenly realise that your passport has disappeared somewhere between Rome, Florence, Venice or the beach, you will be very glad that you know exactly what to do.
Always check the latest GOV.UK guidance before travelling, as fees, application procedures, opening hours and travel requirements can change.
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