You have completed all necessary steps to organize your trip abroad. But once there, you are not safe from the unexpected. Stealing your money, you lose your passport, disease … all situations that can stain your next vacation. If you find yourself in one of these situations, you have the option to use one of the 235 positions of the consular network.
You lost your papers or are the victim of a theft of your passport, your national identity card or driving license. At first, you must report the theft or loss as soon as possible with local police authorities of the presumed location of the theft or loss. Then you should contact the nearest consulate so that it registers the declaration of loss or theft. You get a receipt which you must present at the time of renewal documents.
In the specific case of loss or theft of your passport, the consulate can give you an emergency passport. In a validity of 1 year and a cost of 30 €, it will allow you to continue your stay abroad. Caution, however, the emergency passport can not travel to the United States of America without a visa. If time permits, it is also possible that you are given a new passport.
If you do not need your passport other than upon your return to France, the consulate can provide a pass after verification of your citizenship and your identity.
In the specific case of loss or theft of your driver’s license, the consulate will not be able to provide a duplicate of the document, not being authorized to do so. However, the receipt that will give you will be driving for two months. You have two months to apply for a duplicate license from the prefecture of your place of residence in France.
Money problems Traveler
You find yourself without spending money because you had not planned or because you have stolen your credit card. You must turn to the consulate for information about how to proceed so that relatives can send you the money needed.
Keep in mind that the Consulate is unable to settle any expenditure incurred by a French. However, if you are hospitalized and therefore unable to travel in person at the counter of a money transfer company like Western Union, the consulate may authorize a transfer of money by way of Chancery. In this case, a provision is then placed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European by relatives.
The consulate may still grant a refundable advance as a last resort, and what if:
- The help of relatives is not possible and the account of the person concerned is solvent;
- The person concerned is insolvent and has no possibility of family assistance.
The funding by the consulate then called exceptional.
Incarceration or arrest abroad
You have the option to notify the consulate. Therefore, you are under his protection and it may act on different levels. It is able to:
- Order the return of your passport if it has been retained by local authorities;
- Keep your family and ask for permission to visit;
- Inquire into the conditions of detention and compliance with local laws.
However, he will return to your family you care to provide financial assistance if you are in need. The consul may in turn give you the choice of a lawyer that will reward you. Otherwise, your defense will be provided by a court-appointed lawyer.
Illness while traveling
You’re sick and want to know which doctor or hospital you rotate. If you contact the consulate, it has the ability to put you in touch with a licensed physician and provide a list of medical specialists.
You can also access this list via the website of the consulate. Anyway, note that physician fees are your responsibility.
You are the victim of a serious accident or aggression abroad?
He returned in theory local authorities to contact the consulate if there is a serious accident on a French.
Therefore, the consulate may prevent the family and consider it with a choice between on-site hospitalization and repatriation. On your request, the consulate may obtain police reports and medical. However, the costs will remain your responsibility.
Except in cases of excessive severity and subject to subsequent reimbursement, the consulate may consider a repatriation expenses of the state.
In case of aggression abroad, notify the local retailer and the consulate in the best circumstances of the attack which you have been. You can also file complaints in France to the police to your home.
Whatever the case of foreign aggression, the victim, his lawyer or his dependents (in case of death of the victim) are entitled to apply for compensation from the Victims Compensation Commission offenses (CIVI). This is then transmitted to the Guarantee Fund acts of terrorism and other offenses (FGTI). This will present you with an offer of compensation within two months.