Help from another EU country's embassy

Key rules

• Who qualifies: Only EU citizens whose own country has no embassy or consulate that can help them in time.
• Your choice: You decide which EU country's embassy to approach.
• Costs: The helping country can ask you or your home country to repay its costs.
• Not covered: Routine passports, paying bills, legal advice and legal representation are not covered.

Yes, you can ask another EU country's embassy

If you are an EU citizen and your own country has no embassy or consulate in Spain that can help you, you can ask any other EU country's embassy for protection. It must treat you on the same terms as its own nationals. The help has limits, explained below.

In Spain, most EU countries have an embassy, so this is rarely needed. Try your own country's embassy first.

When you count as "unrepresented"

You qualify in two cases:

• Your country has no embassy or consulate in Spain, or none that is permanently there.
• Your country has a mission in Spain, but it cannot reach you in time.

This does not apply to non-EU nationals.

Which embassy to approach

You choose. You can go to any EU country's embassy. Your home country's local contacts usually help coordinate, so the embassy may get in touch with them.

What help you can get

The embassy gives the same help it would give its own nationals. This covers:

• arrest or detention
• serious accident or illness
• death
• being the victim of a serious crime
• relief and repatriation if you are in distress
• an emergency travel document

Typical help includes contacting your family and the local authorities.

What it does not cover

This is not a full replacement for your own country's services.

• It does not cover routine passport issuing. An emergency travel document is a one-way document for getting home.
• It does not pay your bills.
• It does not give legal advice or legal representation.

The embassy follows its own country's rules. It can ask you, or your home country, to repay its costs, on the same terms as for its own nationals.

What to bring

Bring your passport or national ID card from your own EU country to prove who you are and your nationality. The documents list below has the detail, including what to do if you have lost them. The questions below cover other common points.

Documents you need

• Passport or national ID card from your own EU country, to prove your nationality and identity. An expired one is still useful.

• If you have no passport or ID card, no document is needed to start. The embassy may check your nationality and identity with your home state.

Frequently asked questions

When counts as unrepresented if my country has an embassy in Spain?

You can still count as unrepresented if your country's mission in Spain cannot reach you in time. This applies even when it has an embassy or consulate in the country. In that case you can approach another EU country's embassy instead.

Can I choose which EU country's embassy to ask for help?

Yes, you choose which EU state to approach, though your home state's local contacts usually coordinate the help. The helping state may ask you or your home state to pay back its costs, on the same terms as for its own nationals.

What proof do I need to show at another country's embassy?

You need to prove your nationality and identity, for example with a passport or ID card, even an expired one. If you have neither, the embassy may check with your home state.

Can another EU embassy issue me a new passport?

No, another EU embassy does not issue routine passports.