EU Emergency Travel Document
EU citizens whose passport or travel document has been lost, stolen or destroyed in a country outside the EU where their own EU Member State does not have an embassy or consulate are entitled to receive an EU Emergency Travel Document from any other EU Member State located in that country.
The EU Emergency Travel Document is issued for a single journey to the holder’s EU Member State of nationality or residence, or exceptionally, to another destination (such as a neighbouring country with an embassy or consulate of the holder).
The EU Emergency Travel Document is valid for a bit longer than the period required for completion of the journey for which it is issued. Normally, the validity will not exceed 15 calendar days. Persons receiving an EU Emergency Travel Document are strongly encouraged to complete the journey as quickly as possible, to follow any advice given by the consulate or embassy regarding the best route, and to immediately apply for a normal travel document. The EU Emergency Travel Document must be returned after arrival at the final destination.
EU citizens in need of an EU Emergency Travel Document must apply at the embassy or consulate of an EU Member State. The EU Emergency Travel Document will be issued after a verification of the applicant’s nationality and identity by the unrepresented EU citizen’s Member State of nationality. In normal cases, the issuance should not take longer than seven working days.
Member States may also choose to issue the EU Emergency Travel Document to other persons, such as their own nationals or EU citizens’ family members who already live in the EU. If an EU Emergency Travel Document is issued to a person who is not an EU citizen, a visa may be necessary.
Further reading