Have you lost your documents abroad? Quick action guide
At Valua Travel we know that, even though we plan every detail, the unexpected happens. Losing your ID card or passport away from home is a stressful situation, but staying calm and following the right steps is the key to making sure your trip carries on without major complications.
If you find yourself in this situation, this is your official course of action:
1. The first step: Report it to the local authorities
Do not wait until you reach the airport or the consulate. Go to the nearest police station in the city where you are.
Why it is urgent: The police report is the legal document that justifies the lack of your original identification, and it is essential for processing any new document or making a claim on your insurance.
Important note: Always ask for a stamped copy of the report.
2. Find the Spanish Embassy or Consulate
Once you have the police report, you must go to the Spanish diplomatic mission. There they can issue you with a Salvoconducto (safe-conduct), a travel document of limited validity that will allow you to return to Spain (normally only for the return journey).
What will you need? Generally, two passport-size photographs and the police report receipt.
Remember: If you are travelling with Valua, you can contact us and we will immediately send you a digital copy of your documents (if you gave them to us before departure) to speed up the consular procedures.
3. Notify your airline
Do not turn up at the check-in desk on the last day without having given notice. Inform the airline as soon as you have the police report or the safe-conduct. On international flights, the safe-conduct is mandatory; on some domestic flights within the EU, the rules may vary, but having the official consulate document is the only total guarantee.
4. “Valua Seal” prevention tips
To minimise the impact of these incidents, we always recommend:
Digital copy: Scan your ID card/passport and upload it to the cloud or email it to yourself.
Physical copy: Carry a black-and-white photocopy stored in a different place from the original document (for example, in your checked luggage).
Useful links:
For up-to-date information on the location of consulates and country-specific requirements, see the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation:
👉 Official MAE page – Travel recommendations