Lost Your Passport in Portugal? What Visitors and Foreign Residents Should Do

Losing your passport in Portugal can feel overwhelming, but with the right steps, you can get back on track quickly.

Report the Loss or Theft

If your passport is lost or stolen, go to the nearest police station (delegacia de polícia) and file an official report (boletim de ocorrência).

You will receive a written declaration, which is required by embassies to issue a replacement document and helps prevent identity misuse.

Contact Your Embassy or Consulate in Portugal

Reach out to your home country’s embassy or consulate—most are in Lisbon or Porto. You’ll likely need the below checklist 📄

  • Police report
  • Copy or photo of lost passport (if available)
  • Other valid ID (driver’s license, national ID)
  • Passport-size photos
  • Proof of travel (flight ticket, booking, etc.)
  • Residence permit (if you’re a resident)

Your embassy will assist with issuing an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) or a temporary passport for you to return home or continue your travel.

Portugal-Issued Travel Documents

  • Portuguese emergency or temporary passports are only for Portuguese citizens.
  • Non-citizens must go through their own embassies or consulates for replacements.

Ask About EU Consular Assistance

If your country has no embassy Portugal,any other EU country’s embassy (e.g., Belgium or France) may provide help under EU law to get you home safely. But your primary support should come from your own embassy or its regional representative.

🛡️ Pro Tips

  • Save embassy 24/7 emergency contact numbers before traveling.
  • Keep scanned copies of your passport and visa in the cloud.
  • Report losses promptly—most embassies require a police report.
  • If your travel is imminent, contact your embassy by phone first, then visit in person

🧘 Final Reminder: Don’t Panic

Losing your passport in a foreign country is stressful, but stay calm and act wisely. Always:
📞 Contact only official sources — your embassy, local police, or immigration offices.
🚫 Avoid accepting help from strangers or unofficial agents who may give wrong advice or exploit the situation.
🧠 Think before you act — gather your documents, stay patient, and follow the correct process.
Help is available, and embassies are there to support you. You’ve got this 🤝💙

⚠️ This information is based on official websites, publicly available sources, and experiences from expats whom we have helped. We aim to keep it accurate and up to date. If you notice any updates or have tips to share, please feel free to let us know.
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