- FCDO highlights some of the more unusual enquiries received by consular staff to remind travellers what support they can provide British nationals overseas.
- Brits heading on summer holidays urged to check FCDO Travel Advice and sign up for email alerts before they travel.
- Travellers encouraged to take simple steps such as getting travel insurance, checking Travel Advice for information on local laws and keeping passports safe to avoid preventable problems while abroad.
As millions of Brits prepare to jet overseas for summer holidays, consular staff at UK embassies, high commissions and consulates around the world will be working around the clock to support British nationals abroad.
From lost passports to medical emergencies, staff at UK embassies and consulates overseas have dealt with more than 328,000 enquiries and requests for help over the past year – nearly 900 calls a day.
While the vast majority of enquiries are genuine requests for help or advice, a handful are more unusual. Some examples include
- A British holidaymaker in Jordan asking if the Embassy knew where they could get blonde highlights.
- A caller contacting the Embassy in Paris asking how much duck pâté they could bring into the UK.
- An individual in France who asked if the Embassy could help locate where they had parked their car near the Eiffel Tower.
- A Brit in Georgia calling the FCDO to ask if their two pets could be granted British citizenship to guarantee diplomatic protection.
- A holidaymaker asking the Embassy in Egypt to do something about the temperature of the showers at their hotel.
- An individual planning to visit the UK asking their local embassy for assistance in trying to book tickets for Royal Ascot.
- A holidaymaker in Nigeria asking the Embassy for help seeking a refund for an unsatisfactory meal they had just eaten at a restaurant in Abuja.
- A Brit asking the FCDO consular service how to get in touch with their postman while away.
As excitement builds ahead of the World Cup quarter finals, it is also no surprise that some recent enquiries have been football-related – including one caller in Italy asking where they could watch the Scotland v Haiti group game in Milan.
While the FCDO cannot advise on hairdressing options or resolve restaurant complaints, consular staff do provide vital support to tens of thousands of British people abroad every year.
As part of this support, the UK Government is reminding travellers to take some simple steps to stay safe abroad. This includes checking the latest FCDO Travel Advice for their destination(s), signing up for email alerts, and ensuring they have appropriate travel insurance.
In the unlikely event something does go wrong, the UK Government can
- Provide up-to-date Travel Advice on local laws, cultural differences, safety risks and how to contact local authorities.
- Issue an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) if a passport is lost or stolen, helping people return home or continue their journey. We issued more than 29,500 ETDs in the last year, helping people get home, back to their families and lives.
- Provide information and advice to British nationals who are victims of crime or require medical assistance. Last year, 8,573 people contacted us because they were receiving medical care abroad.
- Offer advice and support to those arrested abroad, including staying in touch with people who have been detained, providing lists of English-speaking lawyers and translators, and – where consent is given – keeping family informed.
- Raise concerns about treatment or conditions in detention with local authorities, while respecting that the FCDO cannot interfere in another country’s judicial process.
Sarah Taylor, Director for Consular and Crisis, said
Whether it is helping to replace a lost passport or supporting people in crisis the FCDO has expert consular staff available 24/7, 365 days a year to help.
To ensure you enjoy your time and stay safe abroad, remember to check our Travel Advice and make sure you have appropriate insurance before you travel. If you encounter difficulties while overseas, you can contact the nearest British Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate.
Fraser McDougall, Head of the Consular Contact Centre, said
We are always happy to do what we can to help out Brits abroad where possible.
While we can’t help with retrieving lost cars or where to watch the football, we’re proud of the support we provide to over a quarter of a million Brits each year.
