Expired passport - travel tomorrow?

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81981510#Comment_81981510

Emergency travel papers can be used for travel other than getting home; a colleague lost his passport in Germany at the start of a 3 week holiday, he was due to fly from Germany to Georgia for a friends wedding then return to Germany to for the rest of his holiday.

He got emergency travel papers from the UK embassy and was able to get to Georgia, back to Germany and then on to the UK a week later. Obviously dont know what he said when checking in etc but appears it worked for him.

Ultimately the UK can say its only for getting home but its up to the other country if they accept it for something else or not. Similarly a Malaysian passport states its not valid in Israel but have a couple of friends who go there regularly.

As to the OP, Midday Friday is currently the earliest a passport could be gotten by. You cannot get an emergency travel document whilst in the UK. Havent gone in recent years but have gone to/from Europe by non-flying routes and occasionally passports weren't checked but it'd be a big gamble and probably wouldnt pay off.

Worried_fool

Just in case… is she a citizen of an EU country? If so, she could travel using her national identity card.

QrizB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81981543#Comment_81981543

Unfortunately for us, she isn't. But it's a good point to raise and could help others who find themselves in the same situation.

Exodi

saajan_12

The emergency wouldn't work as that's for people stranded abroad to return.

I appreciate that's what it says on the face of it, but I've seen some evidence it can be used elsewhere, though I'm not certain (hence saying "I don't know if it's specifically limited to inbound journeys.").

One thing I did wonder if it's strictly limited to inbound journeys home, then why is there an emergency travel document lookup tool stating the UK as accepting ESD's for Entry, Transfer & Exit purposes? That's why I mentioned it - it's at least worth looking into.

https://www.apply-emergency-travel-document.service.gov.uk/country-lookup

MyRealNameToo

He got emergency travel papers from the UK embassy and was able to get to Georgia, back to Germany and then on to the UK a week later.

Thanks, it at least confirms the possibility. Not suggesting it's necessarily the answer to the OP, but if I was them, I'd be looking at any and every option in their circumstances, particularly if I was planning to speak to the passport adviceline regardless.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81981528#Comment_81981528

With the implementation of EES (which I know is having teething difficulty) and routine physical checks / stamping of UK passports generally, I think the chance of being able to travel to Europe without a passport or an expired passport is about zero.

I get the Eurostar several times a year, and have to present my passport at two different checkpoints at St Pancras and also two points at Gare du Nord. Airlines also check before boarding as they get fined for carrying people ineligible for entry.

la531983

Can't imagine an emergency passport would be issued in the UK for the reason of "holiday".

QrizB

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I've spoken to BA and they've changed my flights to the 1655 on Friday (thanks @la531983 ). There's a £310 charge, which is bearable.

Ms QrizB is now rushing around booking an in-person apointment for early Friday morning. If everything goes to plan, we'll have lost a day from our holiday but it won't be a total washout.

Brie

@QrizB - so pleased for you!

la531983

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81981593#Comment_81981593

They havent got the passport appointment booked yet….

Brie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81981594#Comment_81981594

but progress has been made! which is nice.