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Losing a passport or ID at the airport is every traveller’s nightmare. The panic usually sets in right away, with many people convinced that they will not be allowed to board without their documents. But in Spain, the Guardia Civil has a simple solution that can turn what feels like a disaster into just a small hiccup in your journey.

 

The key is to head straight to one of the Guardia Civil stations inside the airport. Every airport in Spain has one, and the officers there are used to dealing with this type of situation.

 

Once you explain what happened, they can file an official report for the loss and issue you with a temporary travel permit, known as a safe-conduct pass. With this in hand, you will be allowed to board your flight and continue your journey without being left stranded.

 

This handy trick is useful for EU citizens and those with Spanish nationality. It should be noted that for UK and non-EU citizens, it is not so simple. 

 

The travel advice on the gov.uk website clearly states, “If your passport is lost or stolen, you must renew your passport or apply for an emergency travel document. You cannot use a police report to leave Spain.”

 

That’s why prevention is always better than cure. The Guardia Civil advises travellers to keep passports and IDs in a safe but accessible place, and to make sure they are always valid and up to date.

 

Arriving at the airport early is also important, since it gives you time to deal with any setbacks calmly instead of rushing at the last minute.

 

 

Image: Guardia Civil