For sure, you will be able to go home to the Philippines once you have happily completed your holiday.
I just want to get that out of the way before writing the rest of this blog.
NOW, if you happen to lose your passport in Europe and you find yourself reading this...
Breathe...
Relax...
You will be fine!
The downsides are:
-You can only travel to other SHENGEN territories via land.
Nearly all airlines do not accept the temporary travel document issued by the Philippines Embassy/Consulate.
You will really need to change your travel arrangements. I had to take a bus ride from Madrid to Lourdes.
However, the airline that will take you back to the Philippines is mandated to accept the temporary travel document issued by the Philippine Embassy and you are guaranteed safe passage to go home.
- Some countries don't accept the temporary travel doc for tax rebates.
Note: Amended. Thanks for sharing your Paris Shopping issue, anonymous reader.
When you lose your passport in Europe, here are the things you must do:
1. Go to the police station and get a police report.
Note: Quick lang to. Don't expect them to find your passport...
2. Go to the Philippine Embassy or the Philippine Consulate
Note: Most key cities in Europe have one. The issue is...if you are in smaller towns. You may need to go to the nearest big city (Madrid, Barcelona. Amsterdam, Paris...)
3. Get a Temporary Travel Document
Note: It is just a piece of bond paper. AS IN BOND PAPER!
Here are the things you need to get the Temporary Travel Document
1. Photocopy of your passport
2. Copy of birth certificate
3. Copy of Airline Tickets
4. Copy of Itinerary
5. Copy of Hotel Bookings
6. Two (2) passport size pictures
7. YOUR POLICE REPORT
8. 49.00 Euros in Cash
4. KEEP BOTH POLICE REPORT AND TEMPORARY TRAVEL DOCUMENT.
You will need the documents for the following:
- Crossing the borders
Note: There are random border control checks when you travel between SHENGEN countries.
- Checking-in hotels
- Exiting Europe
- Flying Back to The Philippines
- Philippine Immigration
- Passport Replacement
5. Email your hotel(s) and airline to inform them your situation.
TIPS:
1. Save all the documents I mentioned in #3 in your dropbox, gmail
2. Keep 3 Valid IDs (driver's license, postal ID, company ID, SSS...) in 3 separate locations: One in your wallet, one in your baggage and one in your other bag or with your companion).
3.Try to put in a day or two in a big city: Preferably at the start, middle and end of your travel itinerary.
I was told by the Australian Consul in Barcelona that some travelers lose everything! With no money and no ID it is very hard to get monetary aid from your family back home. With no ID, you can't get your money from Western Union or Moneygram. With no money, you can't get travel docs nor can you continue with your trip.
Well, usually naman pag pinoy may kasama or may kamag-anak in a foreign country so this is not a problem.
OKAY KA NA? RELAX!
I just got my passport na and I'm ready to travel again.
So, will I go back to Barcelona? OFCOURSE! Ang Barcelona ay parang pag mamahal lang. Minsan naloloko ka at nasasaktan pero...pero maganda pa rin ang love di ba? CHAROT!
Yoda-mode,
L
Dropbox and Gmail DOES NOT work in China, and not all places have reliable internet connection. It's better if you have those documents in a USB flash drive in case of emergency. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing that out mark! Very good tip! Wala pa tayong solution sa isa kong paranoia
DeleteTravel light and don't check in your baggage. Hahaha. :P
DeleteIn certain countries! Scary scaryyy.
DeleteGood idea yung flash drive ha! I will do that nga. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeletenakuha mo na passport! Tara! Spain tayo !! Sama ako!! :)
Love, Didi
Tara. Dami pogi dun
DeleteI lost my passport also before in Paris. I didn't get to shop anymore because the stores wouldn't accept my travel document for tax rebate purposes. But some stores in Italy did accept it. Weird. Is this SOP?
ReplyDelete
DeleteIn Paris, yes! They really ask for actual passport. In Spain, photocopy will do.
I still got to shop but I used a companion's passport. Anyway Sabay naman kami travel so I just got my cash rebate pag uwi na.
How did you process your application for a new passport? was it difficult?
ReplyDeleteEasy Lang. Go on line to get the form to report passport was lost. Ung big difference Lang is you have to surrender the temporary travel doc and the police report which is why I mention na you need to keep these two.
DeleteUng mga affidavit loss normal requirement naman to if you lose your passport kahit sa pinas lang
I lost my passport here in England. Same process according to the Embassy, but this means I can't enter Schengen-countries anymore? :(
ReplyDeleteHi im currenyly in Madrid. I have my police report in spanish i lost both my passport and british residence permit card as im a nurse working in the uk. Ilang days nakukuha ang travel document and where did have the affidavit of loss done/made here in spain? Im super at a loss dont know where to start.
ReplyDeleteWhere did u get your affidavit of loss dito sa spain? And how long did it take to get the travel document? Im an ofw nurse from uk kasi so mas mahihirapan ata ako i need to fly back to london and not to phil nareject nila ako sa travel document.
ReplyDelete