What to do if you lose your British passport in Italy
When you find that you’ve misplaced your British passport while in Italy, your first step should be to cancel it. This can be done through the official UK government website, where you’ll find clear instructions for cancelling your passport to prevent it from being misused. It’s crucial to cancel the passport before taking any further action to avoid the risk of identity fraud. You can also report a lost or stolen passport on someone else’s behalf if necessary, such as for a child. Learn all about how to do this here.
If you suspect that your passport has been stolen, we also recommend that you notify the local Italian police and request a written police report. This can be helpful for insurance claims and as evidence that you reported the incident. Not all Italian police stations will provide a report, but it’s still important to report the theft.
Once both of these steps have been completed, you can begin the process of applying for a replacement passport. Applying for a new one through the HMPO from Italy can take several weeks, and it’s not advisable if you require a new passport quickly. In urgent situations, the UK Passport Office can issue an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) to get you home, or you can use ASAP Passports’ express service to have a new passport issued within just 14 days!
Can I apply for a new British passport if I lose or have my passport stolen in Italy?
Yes. If your British passport is lost or stolen while holidaying in Italy, you can apply for a new one. The lost passport must be cancelled first, as only then can we help you apply for a replacement. If you need to travel urgently without waiting for the 10-week timeframe the HMPO suggests, you have two options: apply for an emergency travel document or use our express service to get your new passport within just two weeks.
An emergency travel document serves as a temporary passport that lets you travel through up to five countries to reach your destination. However, this might come with some limitations and can only be used once, so you’ll still need to apply for a new one eventually. If you have at least two weeks before you need to travel, you can skip the ETD altogether and apply for a full replacement passport through us.
What is the fastest way to replace a lost or stolen UK passport in Italy?
The quickest way to replace a lost or stolen British passport in Italy is to use ASAP Passports’ express replacement service. We can have your new passport delivered within two weeks, so your travel plans can continue without too much disruption, leaving your holiday as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. Applying through the HMPO’s standard process directly can take at least ten weeks for overseas applications. Using us as the middleman can cut down your waiting time by 80%, so it’s the fastest way to get your permanent identification document back to you.
Our fast-track process for a lost British passport in Italy
Have you heard enough and are ready to start working with ASAP Passports to get your new passport issued and sent out to you? Then follow these simple steps to fast-track the process:
1. Cancel your passport and report it as missing
The first and most important thing you need to do is report your passport as lost or stolen, either by visiting the nearest British embassy or consulate in Italy or by completing the cancellation online. The latter is often the quicker and, therefore, the option we recommend most, but if you don’t have access to the internet for whatever reason, rest assured that there are still options available to you. Once your passport has been cancelled and reported as missing, we can begin processing your application!
2. Get in touch ASAP
The next step is to reach out to us directly – we can’t help you before hearing from you! Our team of experts are on standby to listen to your unique situation and come up with a plan on how to get a new passport back to you as soon as humanly possible. Once we’ve received your payment, we’ll get to work on replacing your lost or stolen passport.
3. Send any relevant supporting documents
Unlike a simple renewal, replacing a lost passport requires extra supporting documentation to confirm your identity. As you won’t have your current passport, you’ll need to provide new passport photographs, another form of photo ID, proof of UK citizenship, and maybe more. Don’t worry – our team of experts will go through all of this with you to make sure you know exactly where to get your supporting documents and what you need to send us.
Wherever possible, we’ll aim to use digital copies of your supporting documents to cut down on wait times. However, for any hard copies we need, we’ll send you an express shipping label to get them to the UK in as quick a time as possible.
4. Submit your fast-track application
Once your documents have been sent to us, we’ll personally look over your application and supporting information to ensure it is not rejected. Only when we’re happy that your application form will be accepted will we hand-deliver it to the UK Passport Office. Our team will visit in person to prioritise your application and keep you updated throughout the process, so you’re never left in the dark. This hands-on approach keeps your application moving through the motions without getting stuck among the rest of the applications. As soon as we get the notification that your passport is ready for collection, one of our team members will go and personally pick it up.
5. We'll send the passport to your address in Italy
As soon as your new passport is ready, we’ll collect it and dispatch it to your address in Italy with one of our secure international courier services. We work with a network of trusted couriers, so we can always find the best company to ship your passport to you. We’ll send you full tracking information so you can monitor its journey, too, taking away the guesswork from when your passport’s going to arrive.
What additional supporting documentation will I need to replace a lost or stolen passport?
When applying to replace your lost or stolen British passport, you’ll need to submit additional documents to validate your identity to the HMPO. We’ll look at your individual case and determine which of these you’ll need to supply us. These can include:
There are several acceptable forms of proof of UK citizenship, which might include a UK birth certificate or a photocopy of your lost passport. It’s a good habit to travel with a photocopy of your passport in case of emergencies like this. However, if you don’t have either to hand, our team might be able to help you find a valid alternative.
You might not need all of these documents. For example, proof of your travel itinerary is only necessary when applying for an Emergency Travel Document, as your travel details will be printed on the document itself. Valid examples include flight or train tickets, or hotel booking confirmations.
Proof of your identity can include a driver’s license or a Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) card. You might also be able to use a photocopy of your old passport if you have one to hand. Rest assured that our team of experts will give you a number of examples to use for each supporting document, and we’ll strive to help in any way we can with retrieving these for you.
How much will it cost to replace a lost or stolen British passport in Italy?
The cost of replacing your British passport will depend on the service package you choose with ASAP Passports. We offer several tiered service options, priced according to the level of support and number of services you require. This is so you can have the final say in how much you pay for your passport’s express service. All our costs include HMPO fees, shipping, expert handling, and more, and rest assured that we never deal with hidden fees or surprise costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still travel within Italy without my British passport?
Yes, you should still be able to travel domestically within Italy using a valid form of identification, such as a UK driving licence. However, we always recommend you validate this beforehand when departing from international terminals at airports, as passport checks may still be required. Always contact your chosen airline directly in advance to avoid any stressful complications, such as refusal on flights.
What happens if my visa is in my lost passport? How do I prove my legal status in Italy?
Don’t worry – if your visa was lost along with your passport, there are still ways to prove your legal status in Italy. The easiest and most efficient is through the UKVI app, which houses your eVisa. An account takes only minutes to set up and allows you to access your visa instantly, so you have it on your phone if you need it. However, if your paper visa is lost along with your passport, you should report this to the UK Home Office. We also recommend that you notify the local Italian police, as their report might be needed for any insurance claims you make in the future.
Will my existing UK passport be cancelled once it is reported lost or stolen?
Yes. Your UK passport will be cancelled once you report it as lost or stolen through the official UK government website or at a British consulate. However, we recommend doing this yourself as well to make sure the cancellation process isn’t slowed down. We won’t be able to start your new passport application until the old one has been cancelled, so don’t waste any time on this!
Do I need to report a lost or stolen British passport to the British Consulate General?
While you can cancel your passport online, it’s a good idea to report the loss or theft to the nearest British consulate or embassy in Rome, Italy. The former is much quicker and easier for the majority of travellers, but if you’re somewhere without an internet connection to do so, an appointment with the British embassy will let you report your lost or stolen passport as well as cancel it for you.
If I find my passport after reporting it lost or stolen, can I use it again?
Unfortunately not. Once a passport has been reported lost or stolen, it’s officially cancelled and can no longer be used for travel or identification. If you find it later, you need to destroy it and send it back to the HMPO. Trying to use it could result in it being confiscated, so highly recommend putting it away until you can destroy it and send it back. Destroying could include cutting a corner off the front to alert people that it is no longer valid.
Can I expedite my passport replacement application?
The HMPO doesn’t usually offer expedited passport replacement for overseas applications, so the wait time will usually be around 10 weeks. However, by using ASAP Passports’ express delivery, we can bypass the wait time and get your passport to you in just 2 weeks! This is a way of fast-tracking your application without relying on the HMPO’s shipping delays and wait times, helping you get your passport much quicker.
