There’s a commonly held belief that if you get into trouble or just run out of money abroad, you can just go along to the embassy or consulate in the country where you are located and they will sort you out. Well, it has to be said that in most cases they are willing to help but are limited in what they can actually do.

If you get sick or injured

The first thing to do is contact your favourite travel insurance company who should pay most medical expenses if your cover is comprehensive. If you are admitted to hospital, contact the nearest embassy. Once you do, they will

• aim to contact you within 24 hours
• contact your family and friends at home
• liaise with your medical insurance company or medical evacuation company

They cannot however pay for or provide medical treatment themselves and won’t contact or visit if you have travelled specifically for medical treatment.

If you get arrested or detained

If you do get yourself into this predicament, you should first contact the relevant British embassy, high commission or consulate.

(What’s a high commission? Commonwealth countries don’t have embassies, they have high commissions. More or less the same thing really, but if you go looking for a British embassy in Delhi, you won’t find one. And if you don’t know which countries are in the commonwealth, you weren’t listening in history at school).

The embassy, high commission or consulate can then, only with your permission, contact family and friends to tell them you’ve been arrested or detained. If you want, they’ll visit you within 24 hours of being told of the arrest. They are actually there to support British nationals, aim to be non-judgemental and treat all prisoners in the same way regardless of what they are being held for. After all, innocent until proven guilty. As a general rule, the embassy will:

• give you information about the country, prison conditions and the local legal system
• give you a list of local lawyers and interpreters
• make sure any medical or dental problems are brought to the attention of the police or prison doctor
• take up any justified complaints about ill treatment, personal safety or discrimination with the police of prison authorities
• send money to prisoners from their families – in some countries they can also help British prisoners buy prison ‘comforts’ with money sent by their family and friends
• they can also send messages between prisoners and their families
• put prisoners in touch with the prisoners’ welfare charity, Prisoners Abroad

They cannot:

• Get you out of jail – you don’t get special treatment just because you’re British
• Give you legal advice, sue anyone for you or investigate anything – they have no jurisdiction
• Cover any costs involved in you getting arrested
• Forward any parcels sent by friends and family – they’re not the Post Office either
• Prevent you being deported when you’re released

If you’re a victim of crime

Victims of any crime abroad “may” be able to get assistance with

• a list of local lawyers and interpreters
• help you to contact a local doctor if you need medical treatment
• contact your relatives and friends to let them know what has happened
• give information on how you can safely transfer money from relatives or friends
• in an emergency, they’ll cash a sterling cheque up to £100, with a valid banker’s card (do they still exist?) into local currency.  They’ll charge you though

They cannot:

• give you legal advice
• collect evidence or influence a trial (again, the jurisdiction problem)
• help you with travel costs to attend a trial abroad as a witness
• provide any financial help, except in extreme circumstances where they will lend you the cash to get home. You’ll have to secure the loan with your passport and they’ll only give you it back once you’ve paid them back. At least they don’t charge interest.

So as a general rule, a lot of tea and sympathy and practical advice, but absolutely no cash.

Related posts:

1. 7 ways to get into trouble abroad
2. Close to home: why holidaying in the UK this year might beat going abroad
3. Things to do when travelling abroad when pregnant

What will the embassy do for you if you’re in trouble abroad? | World First Travel Insurance Blog