1. Check if you are all set!

You will surely be buying tickets, booking accommodation and packing your bags. But make sure the following is also on your checklist!

• Follow the travel advice and instructions issued by your country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Register your travel abroad with your country’s authorities, if such possibility exists.
• Check if your country has an Embassy or Consulate in the country where you are travelling.
• No Embassy or Consulate? Find one of another EU country on this platform or via the websites of EU Delegations. Save their contact information as well as key phone numbers, and not only on your mobile device.
• Get a travel insurance.

2. Know your right to consular protection! 

Why does it matter for you if your country has an Embassy or Consulate where you are travelling?

If you get into serious difficulties somewhere outside the EU, you can usually turn to your Embassy or Consulate there.

However, if your own EU country doesn’t have an Embassy or Consulate, you can get help from another EU country. You will be treated the same way as a citizen of the EU country helping you. That is one of your fundamental rights as EU citizen.

What can this mean in practice?

• Lost or stolen passport or ID card? The other EU country can issue emergency travel documents - single-journey documents that can enable you to return to Europe.
• Serious accident or illness? The other EU country may help contact your insurance company, family or friends for you.
• Victim of a crime? The other EU country may assist you and advise on the next steps.

3. Help spread the word!

You did not know about your right to consular protection as EU citizen? You think your family, friends and followers could also benefit from a refresher?

• Talk about consular protection.
• Share this factsheet!
• Follow and share the #ConsularProtection campaign on our social media channels.
• Check out the EEAS webpage and the European Commission website on consular protection for EU citizens.