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Lost my passport in Italy - what are the immediate steps?

travel advicepassportemergencyitaly
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Darin_K
Joined:
11.11.2022
Posts: 1428
Topic Starter
25.01.2025 11:03
I am currently traveling in Rome and realized this morning that my passport is missing from my hotel room. I am supposed to fly home in three days and I am honestly starting to panic about the logistics. Do I need to file a police report first before heading to the embassy, or should I just show up there immediately? Also, does anyone know if I need physical passport photos for the emergency travel document? Any advice on how to expedite this process would be greatly appreciated.
16 replies in this topic
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simon_v
Joined:
02.10.2021
Posts: 1609
01.02.2025 15:40
First of all, take a deep breath. You are in Rome, not the middle of nowhere, and the embassy is used to this happening every single day.
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ZlatnaRuka
Joined:
05.03.2024
Posts: 1610
13.02.2025 09:04
In reply to a previous post
Yes, you absolutely need a police report (denuncia) first. The embassy will ask for it to prove it was stolen or lost. Go to the nearest Polizia di Stato station.
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Poli_H
Joined:
29.12.2021
Posts: 1986
18.02.2025 12:26
In reply to a previous post
I lost mine in Florence last year. The police report is mandatory. Don't waste time going to the embassy without it, they will just send you back to the station.
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anonimen_bg
Joined:
24.04.2023
Posts: 1253
20.03.2025 15:25
In reply to a previous post
For the photos, yes, bring two passport-sized ones. There are booths around the city, but they can be finicky. Sometimes it is easier to find a local photo shop near the embassy.
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Zuzi_P
Joined:
13.03.2022
Posts: 25
04.04.2025 13:58
Check your airline's policy too. Some are stricter than others when it comes to emergency travel documents.
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tech_geek_bg
Joined:
19.08.2023
Posts: 754
17.05.2025 17:52
In reply to a previous post
Does anyone know if the US embassy in Rome takes walk-ins for this, or do you need an appointment? I feel like that is a crucial detail.
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Simeon_W
Joined:
16.05.2024
Posts: 1702
15.06.2025 08:23
In reply to a previous post
You usually need an appointment, but for an emergency like a lost passport, they have an emergency line. Call them immediately, don't just show up.
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Toni_M
Joined:
14.10.2024
Posts: 2344
21.09.2025 16:42
This happened to a friend of mine. He had to stay an extra two days, so be prepared for the possibility that you might miss your original flight.
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nabludatel_x
Joined:
19.12.2021
Posts: 1398
10.10.2025 15:26
In reply to a previous post
Do you have a photocopy of your passport? If you do, have it ready. It makes the identity verification process go much faster.
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mati_123
Joined:
25.09.2022
Posts: 1521
03.11.2025 12:27
In reply to a previous post
Definitely check your hotel room one more time. Sometimes things get tucked behind the bed or under the carpet. Just a thought!
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Bg_Pechba
Joined:
31.03.2023
Posts: 1733
30.11.2025 00:04
I am so sorry this happened! Rome is beautiful but this is definitely a nightmare scenario.
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Krasen_K
Joined:
28.09.2022
Posts: 1456
17.12.2025 16:31
Make sure you contact your travel insurance provider as well. Some policies cover the extra hotel nights and the cost of the emergency document.
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Kras_T
Joined:
14.05.2023
Posts: 898
23.12.2025 11:49
In reply to a previous post
As someone who works in travel, I second the 'police report' advice. It is the golden ticket to getting your paperwork moving.
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Toni_M
Joined:
26.02.2025
Posts: 110
21.01.2026 00:31
In reply to a previous post
Is it just the passport, or did you lose your wallet too? If your credit cards are gone, call your bank before you do anything else.
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damian_varna
Joined:
05.01.2025
Posts: 1990
21.01.2026 10:20
Try to stay calm, the panic will only make the bureaucracy feel even slower. You will get home eventually!
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Igor_Tech
Joined:
07.11.2022
Posts: 1434
31.01.2026 01:47
In reply to a previous post
If you are flying back to the US, the emergency travel document is usually just a one-way paper. You will have to replace your actual passport once you get home.

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