Consular protection is the help provided by a State to its citizens who are living or travelling outside of their home country when they are in need of assistance. Typically, consular protection can be provided in case of:

• Loss of travel documents;

• A serious accident or serious illness;

• Relief and repatriation in case of an emergency;

• Being a victim of crime;

• Arrest or detention;

• Death.

The responsibility to provide consular assistance to EU citizens lies with EU Member States. Yet, not every EU Member State has an embassy or consulate in every country of the world. This means that some EU citizens are ‘unrepresented’, with no embassy or consulate from their Member State to effectively help them. So what happens to them if they are in need of assistance?

‘Unrepresented’ EU citizens are entitled to request help from the local embassy or consulate of any other EU Member State. The other EU Member State must assist ‘unrepresented’ EU citizens on the same conditions as their own nationals. This is particularly important in case of a consular crisis. From an EU perspective, we talk about a consular crisis when the life, health or security of a large number of EU citizens in a third country are at risk or in danger. This can be the case because of a natural disaster or large accident, or due to growing political instability.

To facilitate the exercise of the right to consular protection, the Council adopted Directive 2015/637, the so-called ‘Consular Protection Directive’, in 2015. The Directive aims at greater cooperation and coordination between consular authorities. In 2019, the Council also adopted a Directive on an EU emergency travel document. It complements the Consular Protection Directive by facilitating the issuing of a modernised and secure EU Emergency Travel Document. 

Among its many aspects, the Consular Protection Directive recognises and enhances the role of the EEAS and EU Delegations in contributing to the implementation of the EU citizens’ right to consular protection. At the same time, it places an obligation on them to closely cooperate and coordinate with EU Member States. 

Accordingly, the EEAS contributes to coordinated efforts on consular crisis preparedness and management. From Brussels, the EEAS guides EU Delegations regarding consular cooperation, in addition to supporting EU Delegations and Member States in the event of a consular crisis.

In that context, the EEAS works in close cooperation with the European Commission (particularly DG ECHO-ERCC and DG JUST), and EU Member States (in particular crisis centres). The EEAS also supports the Council Presidency on consular matters, including through active participation in the Council Working Party on Consular Affairs (COCON).

The EEAS also cooperates with other partners, including countries outside of the EU and international organisations. Visit the dedicated pages on the European Commission’s and the Council’s websites for more information on the EU’s work in the area of consular protection.

As an EU citizen, you can take simple steps to make consular protection more effective. For example by:

• Following the travel advice issued by your country’s Foreign Ministry.

• Visiting the website of EU Delegations for information on EU Member State presence outside of the EU, and following their social media accounts.

• Registering with your Embassy or Consulate and/or through dedicated platforms to signal your presence abroad, if applicable.

• Other tips include keeping an electronic copy of your travel documents, subscribing to a travel insurance or saving crisis contact details. 

Currently there are 14 resident EU Member State embassies in Yerevan. Austria is represented by an Office for Technical Cooperation. 

Belgium; Bulgaria; Cyprus; Czech Republic; France; Germany; Greece; Italy; Lithuania; The Netherlands; Poland; Romania; Slovakia; Spain (Office of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Moscow); Sweden.