Independent guidance for the United KingdomLow-data guideGlobal edition
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Living or travelling overseas

Crisis planning for British nationals abroad

Prepare to make your own safe decisions and departure arrangements where possible. Consular help can matter, but it is not a guarantee of protection or evacuation.

FCDO emergency contact: +44 20 7008 5000 from abroad; 020 7008 5000 within the UK Checked 25 August 2026

Before travel or a move

  • Read and subscribe to email updates for each country’s FCDO travel advice.
  • Keep passports, visas and any likely transit permissions valid.
  • Buy suitable insurance and understand exclusions, evacuation cover and claims contacts.
  • Keep accessible emergency funds and more than one payment method.
  • Store secure paper and digital copies of key documents and contacts.
  • Know the emergency, security and evacuation plan used by your employer, school, tour operator or accommodation.

Crisis kit abroad

  • Several days of essential medicines and a current prescription or medicine record
  • Water, ready-to-eat food, torch, batteries and power bank where locally appropriate
  • Passport, visas, insurance, tickets and secure copies
  • Local cash, backup payment method and emergency contacts
  • Practical clothing, hygiene items and a compact first-aid kit
  • Country map, safe routes and an agreed family check-in plan
  • Baby, disability, communication, pet or assistance-animal essentials

During a crisis

  1. Follow local authorities and the latest FCDO country advice.
  2. Keep contact with family, employer, airline or tour operator and insurer.
  3. Make your own safe departure arrangements while commercial routes remain available and advice supports leaving.
  4. Keep passports, medicines, funds, communications and essential supplies ready.
  5. Do not travel towards unrest, a disaster zone, an airport or a border without checking that the route and destination are operating and safe.

What consular help can and cannot mean

FCDO generally assists British nationals whether or not they normally live in the UK, but help is discretionary and depends on the country, circumstances and practical access.

  • There is no general duty of care to British nationals abroad.
  • Do not expect a government evacuation. Military evacuation is extreme and rare.
  • Government-arranged transport may be charged for.
  • FCDO cannot guarantee safety, pay ordinary bills, provide legal advice or override local authorities.
  • Help to dual nationals may be limited in the country of their other nationality.
  • FCDO does not provide consular assistance in British Overseas Territories.
  • FCDO cannot assist British nationals (overseas) of Chinese ethnic origin in China, Hong Kong or Macao.
  • Legal residence in the UK does not by itself make a foreign national eligible for British consular assistance.
  • Some Commonwealth nationals and some immediate family members may receive limited help in particular circumstances.

Evidence and official services

Sources behind this guidance

Open the official page for current detail, live services and local instructions. This page was checked on 25 August 2026.