What to do if you lose your British passport in Germany
The most important thing you need to do when discovering that you’ve lost your passport in Germany is to cancel it through the UK government’s website. You can read about how to do this here. This makes sure that no one can use your passport as a form of ID, and will help facilitate the process of getting a replacement to you faster. You can also cancel a passport on someone’s behalf, including your children’s.
Next, report your lost passport to the local police where you’re staying in Germany. If possible, get a written report so you can send it to your travel insurance company or the HMPO to validate your claim of theft. Again, this will prevent whoever stole your passport from using it.
Once your passport has been cancelled and everyone has been notified, it’s time to apply for a new passport. You can do this through the HMPO’s website, but bear in mind that overseas wait times tend to be 10 weeks. If you don’t have this timeframe to wait, get in touch with us at ASAP Passports. We can cut the wait down by 80%, getting your new passport replacement to you in just 2 weeks.
Can I apply for a new British passport if I lose or have my passport stolen in Germany?
Yes, the HMPO allows British citizens to apply for a replacement passport online, meaning that you can get a new one no matter where you are in the world – including Germany. You can do several things, including applying for an emergency travel document, which gives you the ability to travel to a specific location via a pre-approved route. This allows you to continue your holiday with minimal disruption while waiting for the HMPO to send you a new passport. However, there may be limitations on where you can travel depending on your reasons for travel.
Some people prefer to get their passports back in their hands as soon as possible, though. If you want to get a passport instead of wasting time on an emergency travel document, we’re here to help. ASAP Passports can efficiently handle the entire process for you with the help of our expert team, delivering your new passport within just 14 days.
What is the fastest way to replace a lost or stolen UK passport in Germany?
The stress of losing a passport has the potential to ruin your entire holiday, but we want to prevent that as much as possible. ASAP Passports is the fastest way to get your UK passport reissued and sent back to you in Germany, thanks to our proactive approach. You’re not sending off an online application into the ether and relentlessly checking your email for a delivery date for the next two months.
Instead, we personally handle your application, visit the HM Passport Office in person to check on its progress, and hand-pick it up once it’s ready for collection. Our approach decreases wait times significantly, allowing us to guarantee a delivery date in two weeks or less for overseas applications.
Our fast-track process for a lost British passport in Germany
Ready to get started with our fast-track process for replacing your lost British passport? We’ve outlined the steps required to begin working with us below so you can have your passport back in no time.
1. Report your passport as missing
First things first, make sure your passport is cancelled. You can do this through the UK government’s website by reporting it as lost or stolen. Alternatively, if you don’t have access to the internet, you can visit the British Embassy in Berlin to report lost or stolen passports. You might have to book an appointment, though, so we recommend ringing beforehand.
2. Get in touch today
Next, contact ASAP Passports so we can start investigating your case and working towards getting you a new passport. We’ll examine the details of your case and come up with a clear plan for how we can help most efficiently. Our experts are trained to help by any means necessary, so as soon as you get in touch, we’ll jump onto your cause and take the first steps in rectifying your passport issue.
3. Send all the necessary documents
When applying for a new passport after having your old one lost or stolen, you’ll need to send a few specific documents to verify your identification to the HMPO. While renewing your passport is generally quite straightforward as you only need to send your expired passport back to verify your identification, you no longer have this option when it’s been lost or stolen. So, you need to use other documents to prove who you are to the HMPO before they will re-issue a new document.
Our team of experts is here to help you with this, so don’t worry. We’ll walk you through all of the documents we need to support your application and check everything you send to make sure it’s acceptable before submitting it. We’ll send you an express shipping label for any documents we need a hard copy of, but we’ll deal with digital copies wherever we can to reduce shipping delays.
4. We'll fast-track your passport application
Once you’ve sent us your completed application form and any necessary supporting documents, we’ll check everything over to avoid rejection and send it to the HMPO. Here’s where our process really shines – we’ll continue to contact and visit the Passport Office to check on your application to keep it moving along through the process. This really speeds up the entire timeline and prevents it from getting bogged down with the rest of the applications. We’ll keep you informed and make sure our contact lines are always open for you, so should you have any concerns or queries, we’ll be able to answer as soon as possible.
5. The passport makes its speedy way back to you
Once the HMPO releases your new passport, one of our team members will personally pick it up for you and ship it to you right away. Thanks to our network of reliable global couriers, we always have a quick and efficient way of getting it back to you. We’ll send you full tracking information too, so you can follow your passport’s journey right to your doorstep.
What additional supporting documentation will I need to replace a lost or stolen passport?
Lost or stolen passport applications require extra documentation to verify your identity to the HMPO. This might include the following:
If you’re concerned about the number of documents you need and how to get them when you’re in Germany, don’t worry. We at ASAP Passports are here to help, and we can work with you to get the correct documents as easily as possible. There are often several different pieces that can be used as evidence for your British citizenship or travel itinerary, so don’t worry if you can’t access one in particular. We might be able to offer you an alternative.
For example, if you don’t have access to your birth certificate while travelling, you can prove your nationality instead by using a photocopy of your old passport.
Your proof of identification will need to be a form of government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or a photocopy of your old passport. Your travel itinerary might need to be shared with the Passport Office only if you’re applying for an emergency travel passport. This could be in the form of plane tickets or hotel invoices.
Likewise, you won’t always need a written police report if your passport is simply lost, but if you suspect it was stolen, your travel insurance company might want to see this. The HMPO might also like a copy to validate your claim and speed the process of getting a new one up, so it’s always worth asking for from the German authorities.
How much will it cost to replace a lost or stolen British passport in Germany?
The cost of replacing a lost or stolen passport in Germany all depends on how much support you require. At ASAP Passports, we offer four tiered service packages so you can choose the price you want, depending on the services we offer. This means that we’re not overcharging for things you don’t want, and you have the final say on the cost. We also charge zero hidden fees, so rest assured, the price you see is the price you’ll pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still travel within Germany without my British passport?
Yes, travelling around Germany while waiting for your new passport to arrive should be no problem. If you’ve booked domestic flights within Germany, you should be able to board these using another form of ID, such as your UK-issued driver’s license. However, to avoid disappointment, we recommend verifying this with your chosen airline beforehand.
What happens if my visa is in my lost passport? How do I prove my legal status in Germany?
You should still be able to prove your legal status in Germany through your UKVI account, where you’ll find your eVisa. However, we still recommend reporting your lost physical visa to the Home Office, which you can either do online or through the local police in Germany.
Will my existing UK passport be cancelled once it is reported lost or stolen?
Yes. As soon as you report your passport as lost or stolen, it’ll become invalid. However, we still recommend cancelling it separately, either online or through the Home Office online, as we won’t be able to process your new application until this is completed.
Do I need to report a lost or stolen British passport to the British Consulate General?
No, not necessarily. You should be able to report your lost or stolen passport online through the UK government’s website. However, if you don’t have access to the internet, you can book an appointment with the British Embassy or Consulate to do it in person instead. This might take longer due to waiting for an appointment, though, so the former is generally advised.
If I find my passport after reporting it lost or stolen, can I use it again?
No. Once your passport has been reported lost or stolen, the HMPO will cancel it and void it for any future use. If you find your old passport again, you must destroy it and send it back to the HMPO as soon as possible.
Can I expedite my passport replacement application?
Not through the HMPO website alone, as this is only suitable for UK applicants. However, by using ASAP Passports’ express service, you can cut down the wait time by up to 80% – from 10 weeks to only 2. By using our service, you can get your passport issued in the UK and sent back to you to a German address while you’re still on holiday, eliminating the need for an emergency travel document altogether.
