Emergency Passports

[radamfi]

Do you actually need an emergency passport to get home? Maybe from outside Europe, but I lost my passport in France around 1995 and managed to get home.

When I got to Calais, I pretended that I couldn't find my passport, raking in my bag for 5 minutes, and the French immigration told me to tell the UK immigration in Dover. When I got to Dover, I was questioned for about a minute and presented the university ID I had and they let me through.

 

[michael769]

They airlines will not let you board a plane without a passport - they get a huge fine of they let anyone through.

Ferries are easier. In principle as we are not in Schengen you do need a passport, but the UK cannot refuse entry to one of its citizens, and I suspect French immigration didn't want the hassle and paperwork involved in officially deporting you.

 

[CarltonA]

Part of the cost of passports is to cover the ID card scheme. Yes, the one that was cancellled after several million pounds were spent on preparations for said scheme. I don't renew mine until I need another, thus saving a very small amount of money.

 

[jon0844]

When I got to Calais, I pretended that I couldn't find my passport, raking in my bag for 5 minutes, and the French immigration told me to tell the UK immigration in Dover. When I got to Dover, I was questioned for about a minute and presented the university ID I had and they let me through.

Surely you just say to the French that you are from Iraq and don't have a passport and they fast track you through?

 

[radamfi]

Someone else managed to get back from the continent without a passport

http://www.runawayjane.com/what-to-do-when-you-loose-your-passport-abroad/

 

[island]

Do you actually need an emergency passport to get home? Maybe from outside Europe, but I lost my passport in France around 1995 and managed to get home.

Difficulty varies depending on where you are, but in general you do. Things have gotten rather stricter in the last eighteen years.

I think it's entirely reasonable to charge an appropriate fee to those requiring a service such as an emergency travel document. It seems like it is a very big part of the work performed in certain consulates such as those on the Spanish islands.

 

[radamfi]

Difficulty varies depending on where you are, but in general you do. Things have gotten rather stricter in the last eighteen years

That's what I would have thought, but the blog post in my example was only from 2010. You won't be able to get on a plane but as pointed out earlier, it might be worth chancing it on the ferry. The worst case scenario is that they tell you to get an emergency passport.

 

[Clip]

That's what I would have thought, but the blog post in my example was only from 2010. You won't be able to get on a plane but as pointed out earlier, it might be worth chancing it on the ferry. The worst case scenario is that they tell you to get an emergency passport.

I managed to go to France and back once without a passport - didnt relaise till we got back to Dover and was just waived through. Quite some time ago now but was a nervy time for a slightly drunk teenager

 

[jon0844]

I got in to Sweden before without having a passport check or even going through customs. We arrived on a private jet and ultimately ended up in the car park without having gone through the terminal building at all!

Not sure we were supposed to, of course, but it was certainly a real VIP experience. And I had my passport in this case.

Upon our return at RAF Northolt we didn't have a proper check there either, but there was a very brief cursory glance by customs of the plane.

Perhaps that's the way to travel if you lose your documents?

 

[Flamingo]

I got in to Sweden before without having a passport check or even going through customs. We arrived on a private jet and ultimately ended up in the car park without having gone through the terminal building at all!

Not sure we were supposed to, of course, but it was certainly a real VIP experience. And I had my passport in this case.

Upon our return at RAF Northolt we didn't have a proper check there either, but there was a very brief cursory glance by customs of the plane.

Perhaps that's the way to travel if you lose your documents?

The back of a lorry does equally well