The British Embassy in Lisbon is advising holidaymakers and residents to look after their passports during the Easter season, especially because Portugal was placed in the global top-10 for lost UK passports last year.
In an official statement, the embassy focuses its plea on residents who will have family or friends visiting this Easter.
“Remind your visitors to look after their passports in order to avoid the frustrating consequences of a theft,” says Simona Demuro, British Consul to Portugal. “If you need to carry your passport, keep it in a money belt under your clothes rather than in a handbag or rucksack, and never leave passports in your car.”
According to the embassy, warning your guests to be vigilant “could save them needless stress, time and money while on their Easter holidays”.
Nearly 500 emergency passports, also known as ETDs, were issued to British nationals in Portugal last year as a result of lost and stolen passports. Obtaining an ETD typically requires a visit to the nearest British Consulate and the payment of the euro equivalent to 95 pounds.
Information on what to do if your passport is lost or stolen or if you need to travel in an emergency can be found online.
www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document
