Lost Your Passport in Italy?
Don\'t panic. Here\'s exactly what to do — step by step — including embassy phone numbers and emergency contacts.
If your passport was stolen (not just lost):
Call the emergency number for your embassy immediately AND file a police report (denuncia) at the nearest Questura or Carabinieri station. Filing a report is mandatory before your embassy can help you.
Losing your passport while traveling in Italy is stressful — but it\'s more common than you think, and there\'s a clear process to follow. Whether it was stolen on a crowded Naples street or simply left behind at a Florentine trattoria, the steps are the same and the whole thing is very manageable if you act quickly.
We\'ve put together this guide based on real experience helping travelers navigate exactly this situation. From the first trip to the questura to walking out of the embassy with an emergency passport in hand — we\'ve got you covered.
Step-by-Step Action Plan
Stay Calm & Do a Thorough Search
- Before panicking, retrace your steps carefully. Check your hotel room, bags, pockets, and any restaurants or shops you visited.
- Contact your hotel reception — they often hold passports for check-in purposes and may still have yours.
- Call any transportation services (taxis, tour buses) you used that day.
- Check if you left it in a safe deposit box at your accommodation.
File a Police Report (Denuncia)
- Go to the nearest Questura (Italian Police Station) or Carabinieri station as soon as possible.
- Ask for a "denuncia di smarrimento o furto" — the official form for reporting a lost or stolen document.
- Keep a copy of this report — your embassy will require it to issue an emergency passport.
- The Questura can be found in every city. In tourist-heavy cities, there are often officers who speak English.
- You can also report to the Polizia di Stato online at poliziadistato.it for theft cases.
Contact Your Country's Embassy or Consulate
- Call your nearest embassy or consulate immediately (see contacts below).
- They will walk you through what documents you need to bring.
- Typically you will need: your police report, proof of identity (driver's license, copy of old passport if available, credit card), passport-sized photos, and a travel itinerary.
- Emergency travel documents can often be issued within 24-48 hours for urgent travel needs.
- If you have travel insurance, call your insurance company simultaneously — many policies cover emergency passport fees.
Get Passport Photos
- You'll need passport-sized photos (typically 35mm x 45mm for US; 35mm x 45mm for most other countries).
- Photo booths ("Fototessera") are widely available in train stations, post offices, and near major tourist areas.
- Some pharmacies (Farmacia) also offer passport photo services.
- Ask the photographer specifically for "foto per passaporto" to ensure the correct size and format.
Apply for an Emergency Travel Document
- Visit your embassy or consulate in person with all required documents.
- The embassy will issue either a full emergency passport or an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) — which is valid only for travel back home.
- Bring any proof of onward travel (flight tickets, hotel bookings) to help expedite the process.
- There will be a fee for the emergency passport — have local currency or a credit card ready.
- Once you return home, apply for a new full passport through your country's normal passport office.
Useful Italian Phrases for This Situation
Ho perso il mio passaporto.
I have lost my passport.
Il mio passaporto è stato rubato.
My passport has been stolen.
Devo fare una denuncia.
I need to file a police report.
Dov'è la questura più vicina?
Where is the nearest police station?
Ho bisogno di aiuto urgente.
I need urgent help.
Posso parlare con qualcuno che parla inglese?
Can I speak with someone who speaks English?
Qual è il numero dell'ambasciata americana?
What is the US Embassy number?
Ho bisogno di un documento d'emergenza.
I need an emergency travel document.
Embassy & Consulate Contacts in Italy
Save these numbers before you travel. Calls from Italian numbers may incur international charges.
United States
Rome (Embassy)
Via Vittorio Veneto 121, 00187 Roma
Mon–Fri: 8:30am – 12:30pm (Citizen Services)
Milan (Consulate)
Via Principe Amedeo 2/10, 20121 Milano
Mon–Fri: 8:30am – 12:30pm
Florence (Consulate)
Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci 38, 50123 Firenze
Mon–Fri: 9:00am – 12:30pm
Naples (Consulate)
Piazza della Repubblica 80122 Napoli
Mon–Fri: 8:30am – 12:30pm
Canada
Rome (Embassy)
Via Zara 30, 00198 Roma
Mon–Fri: 9:00am – 12:00pm (Consular)
United Kingdom
Rome (Embassy)
Via XX Settembre 80/a, 00187 Roma
Mon–Fri: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Milan (Consulate General)
Via San Paolo 7, 20121 Milano
Mon–Fri: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Australia
Rome (Embassy)
Via Antonio Bosio 5, 00161 Roma
Mon–Fri: 9:00am – 1:00pm (Consular)
Ireland
Rome (Embassy)
Villa Spada, Via Giacomo Medici 1, 00153 Roma
Mon–Fri: 10:00am – 12:30pm (Consular)
New Zealand
Rome (Embassy)
Via Clitunno 44, 00198 Roma
Mon–Fri: 9:00am – 12:30pm
Don\'t see your country? Search for "[Your Country] Embassy in Italy" or visit your government\'s official travel advisory website. Most European Union citizens can also request assistance from any EU member state\'s embassy under Article 46 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Prevention: What to Do Before You Travel
Make Copies Before You Travel
Keep physical and digital copies of your passport photo page, stored separately from your actual passport. Email yourself a scan too.
Use the Hotel Safe
Most hotels have in-room safes. Store your passport there and carry a photocopy for daily sightseeing trips.
Upload to Cloud Storage
Save a photo of your passport to Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud so you can access it from anywhere — even if your phone is stolen.
Register with Your Embassy
Many countries offer traveler registration programs (e.g. STEP for US citizens). Register before you go so your embassy can reach you in emergencies.
Get Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance covers emergency passport replacement fees, flight rebooking, and other costs from a lost or stolen passport.
Use a Money Belt
When in crowded areas like markets, piazzas, or public transport, carry your passport in a slim money belt worn under your clothing.
Quick Reference — Save This
Italian Emergency
112
Carabinieri
112
Polizia di Stato (non-emergency)
113
Medical Emergency
118
US Embassy Rome (Emergency)
+39 06 4674-1
Canada 24h Emergency
+1 613 996-8885
Australia 24h Emergency
+61 2 6261-3305
NZ 24h Emergency
+64 4 439-8000
Travel With Confidence
When you travel with VaFeltre, you\'re never navigating these situations alone. Our team handles logistics so you can focus on the experience.
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