As millions of British travellers prepare to head overseas this summer, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is urging holidaymakers to leave copies of essential travel documents at home to avoid unnecessary stress in the event of loss or theft.
The warning comes amid rising demand for emergency travel documents, with over 83,000 applications submitted between 2019 and 2023, according to data from Confused.com. During the same period, one in ten Brits admitted to misplacing their passport while abroad.
Despite the cost-of-living crisis and growing anti-tourist sentiment in popular destinations, more than half of UK adults are planning an international getaway this year, research from Tiger.co.uk reveals.
Emergency travel documents are available to British nationals outside the UK who need to travel urgently and cannot use their passport. Valid for a single or return journey through up to five countries, these documents require proof that the original passport is lost, stolen, damaged, expired, full, or held by HM Passport Office or a foreign embassy. Applicants must also hold a valid UK passport issued on or after 1 January 2006.
The FCDO recommends travellers keep photocopies or digital scans of their passport, travel insurance, and booking confirmations securely at home or with a trusted contact. Doing so can help expedite emergency support and reduce disruption during travel.