Lost Passport in Spain: Complete Replacement Guide 2025

Last Updated: January 2025

Lost your passport in Spain? Don't panic. Whether stolen or misplaced, you can get an emergency travel document within 24-72 hours or a full replacement passport in 2-4 weeks.

Quick action steps:

1. Report to police (denuncia) - Required
2. Contact your embassy - Same day
3. Emergency travel document - 1-3 days (if urgent travel)
4. OR full passport replacement - 2-4 weeks

Cost: €100-200 depending on nationality and document type.

This guide walks you through the complete process for UK, US, Canadian, Australian, and Irish citizens in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and across Spain.

First Steps: What to Do Immediately

Step 1: Secure Other Documents

Before anything else, check if these were also lost/stolen:

• Credit/debit cards → Cancel immediately
• NIE/TIE card → Report to police, request replacement
• Driver's license → Report to DGT
• Phone → Report to carrier
• Keys → Change locks if stolen

Prevent identity theft: Act within hours.

Step 2: File Police Report (Denuncia)

This is mandatory - You cannot get replacement passport without it.

How to file denuncia:

In person at police station:

• Go to any National Police station (Comisaría de Policía Nacional)
• Available 24/7
• Find nearest: Google "comisaría nacional madrid" or call 091

Online (some nationalities):

• Some embassies accept online police reports
• Check your embassy website first

What they'll ask:

• Where/when lost or stolen
• Description of passport (number if you remember)
• Circumstances (pickpocket, left in taxi, etc.)
• Contact information

You'll receive:

• Denuncia certificate (official police report)
• Reference number
• Copy of report

Cost: Free

Timeline: 30-60 minutes

Language: Spanish only (bring translator if needed)

Keep multiple copies of denuncia - embassy needs it.

Contact Your Embassy/Consulate

Find Your Embassy

UK Citizens:

• Madrid Embassy: (+34) 917 146 300
• Barcelona Consulate: (+34) 933 66 62 00
• Málaga Consulate: (+34) 952 35 23 00
• 24/7 emergency: (+34) 913 34 21 94

US Citizens:

• Madrid Embassy: (+34) 915 87 22 00
• Barcelona Consulate: (+34) 932 80 22 27
• 24/7 emergency: (+34) 915 87 22 00

Canadian Citizens:

• Madrid Embassy: (+34) 914 23 32 50
• Barcelona Consulate: (+34) 932 70 36 14
• Emergency: (+1) 613-996-8885 (Ottawa)

Australian Citizens:

• Madrid Embassy: (+34) 913 53 66 00
• Barcelona Consulate: (+34) 934 90 90 13

Irish Citizens:

• Madrid Embassy: (+34) 914 36 40 93

What to tell embassy:

• "I've lost/had stolen my passport"
• Police report number
• Current location in Spain
• Travel plans (if leaving soon)

They'll tell you:

• Which document to apply for (emergency vs full replacement)
• Required documents
• Appointment booking process
• Costs and timeline

Emergency Travel Document vs Full Passport

Emergency Travel Document (ETD)

What it is: Temporary document to get home or travel urgently

Valid for: Single trip OR 30 days (varies by country)

Processing time: 24-72 hours

Cost:

• UK: £100
• US: $140 (approx)
• Canada: CAD $110
• Australia: AUD $189

When to get ETD:

• Need to leave Spain within 1 week
• Can't wait 2-4 weeks for full passport
• Urgent family emergency

Limitations:

• May not work for all countries (check visa requirements)
• Single journey document
• Must get full passport later

Full Passport Replacement

What it is: Normal passport replacement

Valid for: 10 years (or 5 for child)

Processing time: 2-4 weeks

Cost:

• UK: £101 (adult), £72.50 (child)
• US: $130 (adult), $100 (child)
• Canada: CAD $120 (adult), $57 (child)
• Australia: AUD $308 (adult)

When to get full replacement:

• Not leaving Spain urgently
• Living in Spain
• Lost passport with visa stamps

Advantage: Full passport, no follow-up needed

Document Requirements

Required for Both ETD and Passport

Must provide:

1. Police report (denuncia)

• Original + photocopy
• Must be recent (within days)

2. Proof of identity

• Driver's license
• NIE/TIE card
• Birth certificate
• Old passport copy (if you have one)

3. Passport photos

• 2 recent photos
• Specific size requirements (check embassy)
• White background
• Photo booth: €5-8 at train stations

4. Application form

• Downloaded from embassy website OR
• Completed at embassy

5. Proof of citizenship

• Birth certificate (if first-time)
• Naturalization certificate (if applicable)

6. Payment

• Credit card accepted at most embassies
• Cash sometimes required

7. Travel itinerary (for ETD)

• Flight booking
• Proof need to travel urgently

Application Process Step-by-Step

Step 1: Book Embassy Appointment

Most embassies require appointments (walk-ins only for genuine emergencies).

How to book:

UK:

• Online: https://www.book-appointment-ukpa.service.gov.uk
• Choose "Lost/Stolen Passport"
• Select Madrid/Barcelona/Málaga

US:

• Online: https://evisaforms.state.gov
• Complete DS-64 (statement of lost passport)
• Then DS-11 (passport application)
• Book appointment at embassy

Canada:

• Online: https://eservices.canada.ca/en/reservation
• Select consular service

Australia:

• Phone: (+34) 913 53 66 00
• Email: consular.madrid@dfat.gov.au

Appointment wait times:

• Emergency: Same/next day
• Routine replacement: 3-7 days

Step 2: Gather All Documents

Checklist:

• ✅ Police denuncia (original + copy)
• ✅ ID documents (any you have)
• ✅ 2 passport photos
• ✅ Application forms (printed + completed)
• ✅ Payment method
• ✅ Proof of travel (if ETD)
• ✅ Appointment confirmation

Pro tip: Arrive 15 minutes early with photocopies of everything.

Step 3: Attend Embassy Appointment

What happens (30-60 minutes):

1. Security check

• No phones/electronics allowed in most embassies
• Bag search
• Metal detector

1. Document review

• Officer verifies denuncia
• Reviews application
• Confirms identity
• Asks about lost passport circumstances

1. Payment

• Pay fee
• Get receipt

1. Processing

• Application submitted
• Told collection date OR
• Mailed to address

1. Collection information

• When/where to collect
• Tracking number

Language: Your native language at your embassy.

Step 4: Collection

Emergency Travel Document:

• Usually ready 24-72 hours
• Collect in person (can't be mailed for security)
• Bring receipt and ID

Full Passport:

• Ready 2-4 weeks
• Collect in person OR
• Mailed to Spanish address (tracked)
• Bring receipt + ID to collect

Embassy Locations & Hours

Madrid Embassies

UK Embassy

• Address: Torre Espacio, Paseo de la Castellana 259D
• Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-1:30pm (by appointment)
• Metro: Begoña (L10)

US Embassy

• Address: Calle de Serrano, 75
• Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-1pm (by appointment)
• Metro: Rubén Darío (L5)

Canadian Embassy

• Address: Torre Espacio, Paseo de la Castellana 259D
• Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-12:30pm
• Metro: Begoña (L10)

Australian Embassy

• Address: Torre Espacio, Paseo de la Castellana 259D
• Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm
• Metro: Begoña (L10)

Irish Embassy

• Address: Paseo de la Castellana, 46
• Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-1pm
• Metro: Rubén Darío (L5)

Barcelona Consulates

UK Consulate

• Address: Avinguda Diagonal, 477
• Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-1pm
• Metro: Hospital Clínic (L5)

US Consulate

• Address: Passeig de la Reina Elisenda, 23
• Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-1pm
• Metro: Reina Elisenda (L6)

Canadian Consulate

• Address: Plaça de Catalunya, 9
• Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-1pm
• Metro: Catalunya (L1/L3)

Australian Consulate

• Address: Gran Via Carles III, 94
• Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-2pm
• Metro: Les Corts (L3)

Other Cities

Málaga (UK only):

• Edificio Eurocom, C/Mauricio Moro Pareto, 2
• Serving Costa del Sol expats

Other cities: Must travel to Madrid/Barcelona.

While Waiting for Replacement

Can You Stay in Spain?

Yes, you can remain in Spain legally while waiting for passport.

Proof of identity:

• Police denuncia shows you reported it
• Embassy letter confirms replacement in progress
• Keep both with you always

If police ask for ID:

• Show denuncia + embassy letter
• Explain passport being replaced
• Should be accepted

Can You Travel Within Spain?

Yes - Spain doesn't check ID for domestic travel.

But airlines may ask for ID:

• Denuncia + embassy letter usually accepted
• Driver's license helps
• Call airline beforehand to confirm

Can You Leave Spain?

NO - Not without emergency travel document or new passport.

You cannot:

• Board international flights
• Cross land borders
• Take ferry to Morocco

You need valid passport or ETD.

Special Situations

Passport Stolen with Visa

If your passport contained:

• Spanish residence visa/TIE
• Work visa
• Student visa

Additional steps:

1. Report to immigration office (extranjería)
2. Request TIE card replacement
3. Provide: Denuncia, new passport (when received), photos
4. Processing: 4-8 weeks for new TIE

Important: New passport won't have visa - carry denuncia until TIE arrives.

Lost NIE/TIE Card Too

If lost together:

1. File one denuncia covering both
2. Replace passport first (2-4 weeks)
3. Then replace TIE (4-8 weeks with new passport)

Total timeline: 6-12 weeks for both.

Lost Passport While Traveling

If you're tourist (not resident):

• File denuncia
• Get emergency travel document (faster)
• Fly home
• Replace passport in home country

If you're resident:

• File denuncia
• Get full passport replacement
• More convenient than replacing from home country

Costs Summary

Prevention Tips

Don't Lose It Again

Best practices:

• Keep passport in hotel safe (carry photocopy)
• Use money belt in tourist areas
• Email yourself a scan/photo of passport
• Never leave in rental car
• Register passport with embassy (some countries)

Don't carry passport unless:

• Checking into hotel
• Picking up package
• Police checkpoint
• Boarding international flight
• Bank account opening

Photocopy or phone photo works for most situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long to replace lost passport in Spain? A: Emergency document: 24-72 hours. Full passport: 2-4 weeks.

Q: Can I fly home without passport? A: No. Need emergency travel document minimum.

Q: Is police report really required? A: Yes, mandatory for passport replacement.

Q: Can embassy replace passport same day? A: Only emergency travel documents (ETD), not full passports.

Q: Will I lose my visa stamps? A: Yes, but Spanish residence (TIE) can be replaced separately.

Q: Can I report online instead of police station? A: Depends on embassy requirements - usually must be in person.

Q: What if I find it after reporting lost? A: Too late - it's now invalidated. Can't use it. Must get replacement.

Q: Does travel insurance cover passport replacement? A: Some policies reimburse fee - check your policy.

Next Steps

Report to Police Immediately

Find nearest police station:

• Madrid: 091 or comisaria.madrid@policía.es
• Barcelona: 091
• Valencia: 091

Contact Your Embassy

• UK Embassy appointments: https://www.book-appointment-ukpa.service.gov.uk
• US Embassy: https://es.usembassy.gov
• Canadian Embassy: https://www.canada.ca/en/embassy-spain
• Australian Embassy: https://spain.embassy.gov.au

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This guide was last updated in January 2025. Embassy procedures may change. Always verify with your embassy before proceeding.