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Passport; application in case of loss abroad

Have you lost your passport during a trip abroad? If you need a passport, you can apply for a passport, temporary passport or travel document for return as a passport replacement at the German diplomatic mission in the country of travel.

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Procedure details

As a rule, you will need police proof of the loss or theft report from the German diplomatic mission in your destination country to apply for a new passport document.

You can then apply for a passport or passport replacement for your return or onward journey at the German diplomatic mission in your country of travel.

Depending on whether you want to return directly to Germany or travel to other countries, you will be issued either

  • a travel document as a passport replacement, which is only valid for your return or entry into Germany,
  • a temporary passport or
  • a new passport.

If you wish to return to Germany, but the travel document for return is not recognized for the exit or transit of foreign countries or the validity period, which is limited to one month, is not sufficient, you can be issued with a temporary passport. This is also possible if you wish to continue your journey and not return directly to Germany. If even a temporary passport is not recognized, a new passport can be issued, if necessary in an express procedure.

If you have copies of your passport and possibly also your identity card with you on your trip, this will make it easier to establish your identity and issue a new passport or passport replacement if your passport is lost or stolen.

  • Report the loss or theft to the local police authority and the diplomatic mission abroad

  • Required document/s
    • Proof of loss or theft reported to the police
    • Fully completed application form
    • current biometric photograph:
      • passport size (45 x 35 mm)
      • portrait format
      • frontal photo without border
      • usually without headgear
      • without covering the eyes
    • Please contact the diplomatic mission abroad if you cannot prove your identity by presenting an identity document, for example
      • an existing German passport or identity card
      • a copy of it
      • a foreign passport or identity card
    • Further documents may be required. Please inform yourself in advance at the diplomatic mission abroad.

If you have lost your passport while traveling abroad or if it has been stolen, proceed as follows:

  • Report the loss to the local police authority.
  • Go to the German diplomatic mission abroad, including
    • the German embassy,
    • a German consulate general or
    • a German consulate in the country you are traveling to.
    • Honorary consuls if necessary.
  • Once you have submitted all the necessary documents, a replacement passport valid for your return or entry into Germany can be issued directly on site if required.
    • If you apply for a new passport, the issuing process will take longer.
  • If there is no German diplomatic mission in your destination country, the diplomatic missions of other member states of the European Union (EU) can also issue replacement travel documents.
    • You can only travel back to the EU with such a replacement travel document issued by the diplomatic mission or consular post of another EU member state.
    • A replacement travel document issued by another EU member state is only valid for a few days.

Fee for travel document for return as a passport replacement when applying at a diplomatic mission abroad during regular opening hours regardless of age. The fee is made up of the basic fee of EUR 8.00 for the travel document and EUR 44.00 for the application at a diplomatic mission abroad.
Fee: EUR 52

Prepayment: yes

Fee for travel document for return as a passport replacement when applying at a diplomatic mission abroad outside regular opening hours, regardless of age. The fee is made up of the double basic fee for the travel document of EUR 8.00 when applying outside regular opening hours and EUR 44.00 for applying at a diplomatic mission abroad.
Fee: EUR 60

Prepayment: yes

For applicants under 24 years of age.

If you would like to have a travel document issued as a passport replacement, this usually takes a few hours.

If you would like to have a temporary passport issued, this may take several days.

If you wish to have a new passport issued, this will take at least 4 weeks.

If the necessary consultation with the citizens' office at your German place of residence is delayed, the processing time may be longer. If you require an exit visa, the processing time may be delayed.

Some countries require the entry stamp in your passport as proof of legal entry when you leave the country. In this case, you must apply for an exit visa.

  • Complaint or appeal against the decisions of the Federal Foreign Office
  • Action before the administrative court

  • Passport; application
    The passport or temporary passport is an official identification document for Germans, which is generally required for entry into or departure from the Federal Republic of Germany and can be applied for at the responsible municipality.
  • Applying for a passport abroad

    If you live abroad, you can apply for your German passport in person at a German diplomatic mission or, in some countries, at an honorary consular official.

Status: 27.10.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Behörden und sonstige Einrichtungen + Behörden und sonstige Einrichtungen
Source: Federal Portal
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