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Introduction

Fortunately, the vast majority of overseas visits are trouble-free. However, none of us know when misfortune might occur. Falling sick, being a victim of crime or facing an emergency are traumatic events under any circumstances. When these problems happen abroad they can be even more difficult. Quite naturally, British nationals expect their Government to come to their aid when no one else can help. Consular Assistance is funded through the consular premium, which forms part of the fee for every UK passport.

What kind of help can we provide?

• Issue replacement passports
• Provide information on transferring money and dealing with local authorities.
• Provide appropriate help if you have suffered rape or serious assault, are a victim of other crime or are in hospital.
• Help people with mental illness
• Provide details of local lawyers, interpreters, doctors and funeral directors
• Do all we properly can to contact you within 24 hours of being told you have been detained.
• Offer support and help in a range of other cases, such as child abductions, death of relatives overseas, missing people and kidnapping
• Contact friends and family for you, if you want.
• Make special arrangements in cases of terrorism, civil disturbances or natural disasters.

We cannot:

• Get you out of prison, prevent local authorities from deporting you after your prison sentence or interfere in criminal or civil court proceedings
• Help you enter a country, for example if you do not have a visa or your passport is not valid, as we cannot interfere in another country's immigration policy or procedures.
• Give you legal advice, investigate crimes or search for missing persons. Although we can give you details of people who may be able to help you in these cases such as English speaking lawyers.
• Get you better treatment in hospital or prison than is given to local people.
• Pay any bills or give you money (in very exceptional circumstances we may lend you some money from public funds which you will have to pay back)
• Make travel arrangements for you or find you work or accommodation
• Make business arrangements on your behalf.

Neither the Government nor the relevant British Embassy or Consulates in Germany can make any guarantee in relation to the professional ability or character of any person or company nor can they be held responsible in any way for you relying on any advice you are given.

We cannot meet the costs of losses you might incur overseas, for example, medical expenses, loss of belongings, replacement of passports, help outside of normal office hours, travelling back to the UK.

We strongly advise that any British Nationals travelling overseas should always take out adequate travel insurance before travelling, whether they are travelling independently, as part of a package holiday, or just to visit family and friends. Please visit the FCO travel advice website for more information and guidance:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas

If you are looking for an interpreter

Bundesverband der Dolmetscher und Übersetzer e. V. (BDÜ)
Bundesgeschäftsstelle
Kurfürstendamm 170
10707 Berlin
Tel.: 030 88712830
Fax: 030 88712840
E-Mail: info@bdue.de
http://www.bdue.de