This section contains advice and information for Irish citizens* who encounter difficulties in Britain.  

If you need emergency consular assistance from the Embassy, then contact us immediately. Our telephone number is: 0044 207 235 2171. 

If you require emergency consular assistance outside of normal working hours you will be asked to leave a message on the answering machine. The answering machine is monitored regularly, and the Duty Officer at the Embassy will contact you as soon as possible. You should also contact the Police if necessary (e.g. to report lost or stolen passports). 

Please note that the Duty Officer will deal with genuine consular emergencies only. 

When you leave a message, remember to state your name, the nature of the problem, where you are now, and the details of how the Duty Officer can contact you (e.g. leave your mobile phone number, or the name and phone number of the hotel / hostel where you are staying). 

[* Please note also that if you hold both Irish and British citizenship and you seek consular assistance while in Britain, we are prohibited from formally providing such assistance under the terms of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations].

Lost or Stolen Passports

If your passport is lost or stolen, you should firstly report the loss or theft to the nearest police station as soon as possible after the event.  The police will issue you with a document (crime reference number) confirming that you have made the report.  You will be required to present this when applying for a replacement travel document. 

You should then contact the Passport Office as soon as possible.  

The crime reference number may be accepted by some airlines in lieu of a passport. You should always check with your airline before going to the airport. If your airline will not accept the crime reference number, the Embassy may be able to assist you. 

Irish citizens whose passports are lost or stolen in Scotland should contact the Irish Consulate in Edinburgh:  

Consulate General of Ireland,  
16 Randolph Crescent,    
Edinburgh EH3 7TT

Telephone: 00 44 131 226 7711