Consular Protection for EU citizens

When a EU citizen is in a territory where there is no diplomatic mission of his country, he may receive the Consular Protection of the European Union. In fact, the European legislation establishes the right to receive assistance and protection from the embassy or consulate of any EU member state, with the same conditions guaranteed to the citizens of that State.

Consular protection of the European Union may be requested in several cases:

1. Lost or stolen passport

In case of loss or theft of passport, EU citizen can request a travel document to reach his country of origin. The document is issued with the consent of his country's authority.

2. Serious accident or illness

In case of serious accident or illness of an EU citizen, the embassy or consulate of an EU country can:
inform the family
visit him in hospital
collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of his country to arrange for his evacuation.

3. Violent crime

When EU citizen suffers a violent crime, the embassy or the consolate of an EU member state should provide medical and legal assistance, inform the citizen about how to report the crime and claim compensation in accordance with local laws.

4. Arrest or detention

In the event that an EU citizen is arrested or detained in a foreign territory, where there is no consular mission of his country, he may request European consular protection to the embassy or consulate of any EU member state.
In this case, the embassy or consulate can:
- inform and communicate with family
- ascertain that the person being treated with dignity, no worse than citizens of the host country and in accordance with international law
- visit the the prisoner
- provide basic needs
- provide a list of local lawyers
- forward clemency's request

5. Relief in case of emergency and repatriation

In the event of natural disasters, civil disorder, armed conflict or other emergency, EU citizen can ask for consular protection of the European Union to the embassy or consulate of another EU member state, when in the territory there is no consular office of his country. In such cases, the embassy or consulate can provide money and arrange for repatriation or transfer to the nearest embassy or consulate.

6. Death While Abroad

In the case of death while abroad, family may request consular protection of the European Union, according to which the embassy or consulate give assistance for burial, cremation or repatriation of remains and to obtain a death certificate.

By Mr. Luca Santaniello
Lawyer at Santaniello & Partners