Role of Consulates

What Are Consulates For?

If you run into trouble while traveling abroad, the consular services of your country (or any European Union country if you are a citizen and your country is not represented) can assist you. However, they cannot help with just anything. Note that it is consulates or consular agents—not embassies (which handle only diplomatic relations between countries)—that you must contact.

It’s also worth noting that expatriates should register with their consulate upon arrival in a country. More broadly, through the Ariane system, any French citizen can now easily and free of charge register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before a leisure or business trip abroad.

What a Consulate Can Do

In Case of Lost or Stolen Documents

They can provide attestations for your passport, national identity card, or driver’s license if you present a police report filed beforehand. After verification, they can issue a laissez-passer allowing you to return to France or, after consulting the prefecture (or consulate) that issued your passport or ID, provide a new document valid for one year.

In Case of Financial Problems

They can advise you on the best way for your family to send you money quickly. However, they will not advance you any funds.

In Case of Legal Issues

If you are arrested or imprisoned, you can request that the consulate be informed. They can then ask for the reasons and inform local authorities that you are under their protection. With your consent, they will notify your family and arrange for visits. They will also ensure that detention conditions comply with local laws (which may differ from French laws in similar situations—something they cannot change). Finally, the consulate will provide a list of lawyers for your defense, though the costs will be your responsibility.

In Case of Serious Illness or Accident

The consulate can connect you with doctors approved by them, particularly French-speaking ones. If necessary, they can notify your family and discuss measures such as hospitalization or repatriation. In all cases, you will be responsible for the costs, which is why having insurance is important.

In Case of Death

The consulate will contact your family and advise them on repatriation or burial formalities. Costs will be covered by the family or insurance.

Other Issues

The consulate can always provide useful addresses and guide you on the best steps to resolve your problems.

What a Consulate Cannot Do

Repatriate you at the state’s expense, except in exceptional cases (war, natural disaster) and even then, usually with the requirement of later reimbursement. However, if your travel agency or airline strands you, the consulate is not legally obligated to step in.

Cover any expenses or fines on your behalf, nor advance you money.

Act as a poste restante or hold luggage and documents for its citizens.

Issue a passport or ID card immediately.

Intervene in local laws, as any foreigner in a country is subject to its legislation.

Protect you if you also hold the nationality of the country you are in.

For More Information

French Citizens

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs: various situations and possible actions by French authorities, plus addresses of French representations abroad.

Belgian, Swiss, and Canadian Citizens

• Belgian Consulates Abroad: addresses of Belgian consulates and embassies.
• Swiss Consulates Abroad: same for Switzerland.
• Canadian Consulates Abroad: same for Canada.