Lost or stolen passport in Spain: what to do next

Updated: October 2026

Losing your passport is stressful, whether you are on holiday or have lived in Spain for years. The good news is that the process is well established and, if you act in the right order, you can usually travel again within days. This guide covers the police report, the choice between an emergency travel document and a full replacement passport, consulate appointments and what it means for your NIE and TIE.

First steps in the first 24 hours

1. Search properly: retrace your steps and ask your hotel, restaurant, taxi company or the local lost property office (oficina de objetos perdidos) at the town hall. Passports handed in are often passed on to the police or the consulate.
2. Report it to the police: file a report (denuncia) at a Policía Nacional station (comisaría). In smaller towns the Guardia Civil may take the report instead.
3. Report it to your own country: most countries require you to cancel a lost passport, often online. Once cancelled, the passport cannot be used again even if you find it.
4. Contact your embassy or consulate: book an appointment or apply online for an emergency document or new passport.
5. Protect yourself: if your wallet or phone went missing too, block cards and change passwords straight away.

The police report (denuncia)

A police report is the document that proves your passport was lost or stolen, and most consulates, airlines and Spanish offices will ask for it. Spanish police stations are open every day, around the clock, in the larger towns. Bring any ID you still have, such as a driving licence, residence card or a photocopy or photo of your passport.

If you do not speak Spanish, ask whether an interpreter or a multilingual form is available; popular tourist areas such as the Costa del Sol are used to handling reports in English and other languages. Read the report before you sign it and keep the copy you are given – it is the only official record you will have until your new document arrives.

The Spanish government’s guidance on lost passports also stresses that a declaration made at a consulate is not the same as a police report, so do both.

Emergency travel document or new passport?

Your choice depends on how soon you need to travel and whether you live in Spain or are just visiting.

Option	Best for	Things to know
Emergency travel document	Visitors and residents who must travel within days	Usually valid for one specific journey only; check it is accepted in every country you will pass through
Emergency or provisional passport	Urgent cases where a travel document is not enough	Issued in exceptional cases by some countries; may not have a biometric chip
Full replacement passport	Residents in Spain with no urgent trip	Takes longer but is valid for normal travel and for Spanish paperwork

Example: British citizens

British nationals outside the UK who need to travel within six weeks and cannot replace their passport in time can apply online for an emergency travel document. According to GOV.UK, the fee is £125, it is usually processed in around two working days, and the document normally covers a single or return journey through up to five countries. The application page lists what you need: a digital photo, a phone number, an email address and a card for the fee. British residents in Spain who are not in a hurry should instead apply for a full replacement passport online.

EU and other nationals

Most EU countries have an embassy in Madrid and consulates or honorary consuls in the main coastal areas, and they issue their own emergency passports or travel documents. Procedures, fees and processing times vary a lot, so check your country’s consular website or our guide to embassies and consulates in Spain to find the right office. EU citizens can often travel home within the Schengen area with a national ID card if they have one, but airlines decide what they accept at boarding, so check with them first.

Your consulate appointment

Many consulates now work by appointment only and some handle everything online. Before you go, prepare:

• the police report (original and copy)
• passport photos that meet your country’s rules
• any other ID: national ID card, driving licence, Spanish residence card, birth certificate
• proof of travel plans if you need an emergency document (ticket or booking)
• a payment card for the fee

For children, both parents may need to give consent, so ask the consulate in advance. If you are stuck without money or accommodation, consulates can usually advise on emergency options but will not pay your costs.

What it means for your NIE and TIE

Your NIE number stays the same for life, so a new passport does not change it. Read how the NIE works if you need a reminder. However, your new passport will have a new number, and that can cause small mismatches:

• Banks, notaries and employers: give them a copy of the new passport so your file is up to date.
• Residence documents: when you next renew or update your TIE or EU registration certificate, bring both the new passport and the police report for the old one. This avoids questions if the old number appears in your file.
• Lost TIE as well: if your residence card was stolen with your passport, you need a duplicate. This normally means a police report, the EX-17 form, the 790 code 012 fee, a photo and an appointment at the foreigners’ office (Oficina de Extranjería) or police.
• Travel while waiting: non-EU residents should not leave Spain without both a valid passport and a valid TIE or proof of residence, or they may have trouble re-entering.

For more on residence cards and status, see our guide to residency in Spain.

Travelling home

Before you book or rebook a flight, confirm with the airline that it accepts your emergency document. Check the rules for every country you will transit, not only your final destination. Keep the police report with you while travelling – border officers may ask for it. If your old passport turns up later, do not use it: once reported lost or stolen, it has been cancelled.

How to avoid it next time

• Keep a scan of your passport and residence card in a secure cloud folder.
• Carry your residence card or a copy for daily ID and leave the passport in a safe place at home.
• Be extra careful in busy tourist spots, stations and at the airport, where pickpockets operate.
• Note your consulate’s address and emergency details before you need them.

Useful links

• Spanish government – lost passports (Your Europe Spain)
• GOV.UK – emergency travel document
• GOV.UK – how to apply for an emergency travel document
• Embassies and consulates in Spain: how to find yours
• How to get your Spanish NIE number
• Residency in Spain: how to become a legal resident

FAQ: lost passport in Spain

Do I need a police report to get a new passport?

Most consulates ask for one, especially if the passport was stolen, and it is useful for Spanish offices and insurance claims. Get it as early as possible.

Will I get a new NIE with my new passport?

No. Your NIE stays the same. You only need to update your passport details with banks, employers and the immigration office when relevant.

Can I fly within Spain without a passport?

Airlines usually accept a valid Spanish residence card or EU national ID card on domestic flights, but rules vary by airline. Check before you go to the airport.

What if I find my old passport after reporting it?

Do not travel on it. A passport reported lost or stolen is cancelled and can cause problems at borders. Hand it to your consulate or follow your country’s instructions.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Consular fees, rules and processing times change – always check with your own embassy or consulate and the official sources before you act.