NetherlandsWorldwide

My passport or identity card has been lost or stolen outside the Netherlands. What should I do?

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If you are outside the Netherlands and your Dutch passport or ID card has been lost or stolen, the type of replacement document you will need depends on where you are and where you are travelling to.

Check if you need an emergency travel document

If you want to travel back to the Netherlands or to another country soon, you may need an emergency travel document. This will temporarily allow you to travel if your passport or ID card has been lost or stolen.

Whether you need an emergency travel document depends on where you are and where you are travelling to, and if you are travelling within the EU or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) or not.

  1. Find out which countries are part of the EU and EFTA.
  2. Then select your situation to see whether you need an emergency travel document.

What is your situation?

Attention: If you are in Cyprus or Ireland or are travelling to one of these countries, you cannot travel without a passport or ID card. You will need to apply for an emergency travel document.

If you are travelling by plane, train, bus or boat ask the company you are travelling with whether you can travel without a passport or ID card.

In some situations you may be able to travel on one of the following documents:

  • written proof that you have reported the loss/theft of your passport or ID card to the local police
  • a photocopy or scan of your stolen or lost passport or ID card
  • your Dutch driving licence

The Dutch embassy or consulate cannot assist you with this.

If the company you are travelling with determines that you cannot travel without a passport or ID card, you will need an emergency travel document.

Apply for an emergency travel document

Travel by car or other private transport

Are you travelling with your own transport/own car? And have you lost your passport or ID card? You will need an emergency travel document.

Apply for an emergency travel document

You cannot travel without a passport or ID card. You will need an emergency travel document.

Applying for an emergency travel document

Attention: If you are in Curaçao, Aruba or St Maarten, you should first report the loss/theft of your passport or ID card to the local police. Then apply for an emergency travel document from the local authorities in Curaçao, Aruba or St Maarten.

You cannot travel without a passport or ID card. You will need an emergency travel document.

Applying for an emergency travel document

Reporting your passport or identity card as lost or stolen

The Dutch government does not require you to report your passport or ID card as lost or stolen to the local police, but you are advised to do so. If you report a loss or theft, ask the police for written proof. You may need it for insurance purposes or to show the local authorities.

Preventing misuse

Avoid the misuse of your lost or stolen passport or ID card.

  • Complete a declaration stating that the travel document is missing (C2 form) . Please fill this form in as completely as possible. Do you not know your document number? Then leave this field blank. If you do not have a BSN or do not know what your BSN is? Then leave this field blank.
  • Submit the completed form in person at the Dutch embassy or consulate in the country you are in. You have to hand it in in person. You cannot send it by mail or e-mail.
    Make an appointment
    Send an email to the embassy to make an appointment. Enter the country where you are. Under the heading emergency travel document you will find the email address of the embassy or consulate general.
  • Once your declaration has been processed, your passport or ID card will be registered internationally as invalid. This means no one will be able to travel on it. If you find your passport or ID card at a later date you won’t be able to travel on it either.

Block log in function identity card

Has your identity card been lost or stolen? And does your card have a log in function for DigiD? It is important that you have this function blocked. Please contact the DigiD helpdesk for this.

Residence permit lost or stolen

Are you outside the Netherlands and has your Dutch residence permit been lost or stolen? You cannot apply for an emergency document. Find out what to do if your residence permit is lost or stolen abroad.

Arranging other matters

Find out what else you can arrange outside the Netherlands regarding your passport or identity card

Contact

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.