LOST PASSPORTS ABROAD COST BRITS £5 MILLION A YEAR Thousands of British nationals pay for emergency travel documents every month as lastminute passport replacements
Using your passport as a beermat, notebook or putting it in the washing machine are just some of the reasons why British holidaymakers and are now spending millions each year on emergency travel documents (ETDs) - issued when passports are lost, stolen or damaged while abroad. And the problem is on the rise: ‘avoidable’ cases have increased significantly in 2012-13, with ETDs issued for expired or damaged passports increasing by over 300%.
Around 80 ETDs are issued to British nationals around the world every single day, with 28,783 issued in the past year alone.
If you lose/damage your passport on holiday you will not be able to get a replacement. Instead you will have to get an ETD and then replace your passport once back in the UK which on average costs a total of £167.50. If you are a British resident abroad make sure you apply for your new full UK passport in plenty of time before you need it (allow at least 4 weeks)-all overseas residents full passport applications are now made to Her Majesty’s Passport Office in the UK, details can be found on GOV.UK Key tips for keeping your passport safe abroad
Value your passport and look after it carefully
Your passport is not always safer on you – lock it in a safe if you have access to one
Make two photocopies of your passport – leave one with friends or family and take the second with you, or store it online using a secure data storage site
Where possible, use this photocopy as alternative ID, for example when going out at night
Make sure your passport is valid
For certain countries your passport must be valid for 6 months after the date you travel – check the entry requirements before you go
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