Losing a passport abroad is a serious situation that requires prompt and accurate action. In Cyprus, as in other countries, a passport is the primary document certifying identity and citizenship, as well as confirming the right to stay, enter, and exit the country. Losing a passport not only entails administrative complications but also potential restrictions on travel, access to medical care, and access to funds, so it’s important to act quickly and correctly.
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First steps: police and police report
The first step after discovering your passport is lost is to go to the nearest police station and file a report of loss or theft. Reporting to the police is mandatory: it creates an official document ( Police Report ) confirming the fact of loss, which may be required for further administrative actions, including obtaining a new passport and interaction with migration services.
When contacting the police, you will need to provide the following:
- personal data,
- circumstances of loss or presumed place of loss,
- the date and time when the document was last in your possession.
Reporting to the police serves several functions:
- documents the fact of loss,
- serves as the basis for a temporary identity card,
- protects against possible use of the passport by intruders.
When contacting the police, it is advisable to have any other identification documents with you, such as a driver’s license, a copy of your passport, or an ID card.
Contacting a consulate or embassy
The next step after receiving the police report is to contact the consulate or embassy of your country of citizenship in Cyprus. This step is especially important for foreign tourists and residents, as the consulate is responsible for issuing temporary travel documents ( Emergency Travel Document (ETD) or passport restoration.
Depending on the country of citizenship, consular services issue:
- Emergency Travel Document (ETD) – temporary document for returning to your home country;
- a new passport if restoration is not possible using a temporary document;
- temporary passport with a limited period of validity.
The registration process may include:
- confirmation of the applicant’s identity (using other identification documents or copies of the passport);
- providing a police report;
- standard photo for documents;
- filling out consular forms and paying the relevant fees.
A temporary travel document allows you to return to your country of citizenship or continue your travel, but it has limitations on its validity and travel destinations. In most cases, it is only valid for return to your home country or to countries that permit entry with such a document. Obtaining a temporary document typically takes several days to several weeks, depending on the consulate’s workload and the specific regulations of your country.
Biometrics and visa nuances
If you have lost your passport with a valid Cyprus visa, it is important to take into account the new visa requirements that came into effect on October 6, 2025. To obtain a national tourist visa (category C) or other visa, you must now visit a visa center in person to provide biometric data (fingerprints and a digital photo). Remote application submission through tour operators or intermediaries is no longer possible. Children under 12 are exempt from providing fingerprints, but the presence of a parent or legal guardian is still required.
These changes are related to the implementation of the European Entry / Exit System The EES (Emergency Entry System ) records biometric data of non-residents upon entry to the EU’s external borders and is expected to be integrated with the future Schengen system. In addition to submitting biometric data, visa centers require a standard package of documents: a valid passport, an application form, a photo, and proof of residence and financial means. Biometric data is generally accepted and renewed when applying for a new visa if more than 59 months have passed since the last biometric data collection.
If your passport is lost along with your migration registration documents (for example, a residence permit or visa), you must notify not only the police, but also the migration service department ( Department of Civil Registry and Migration ). In Cyprus, this is necessary to correctly record a foreigner’s status and prevent problems with visa extensions, residence registration, and obtaining medical care.
The Immigration Service may request a police report, details of the new passport or temporary document, and proof of residence address in Cyprus.
Police can also conduct an investigation in the event of theft, which will help protect the citizen’s rights and reduce the risk of passport misuse.
Additional precautions after loss
If you lose your passport, it is recommended that you take the following steps:
- Notify your bank and financial institutions if your passport was used as identification when opening accounts or loans. This reduces the risk of financial fraud.
- Limit the use of original documents and store copies in cloud storage or on secure media.
- Monitor notifications from immigration authorities and the consulate, especially if the lost passport contained a valid visa or residence permit.
- Keep all documents, including the police report and receipts for applying for a temporary document, as they may be needed when crossing the border or interacting with official authorities.
Peculiarities of crossing the border with a temporary document
If a temporary travel document is issued by a consulate, you should check in advance with your airline and border authorities to determine whether you can enter or exit the countries through which you are traveling. A temporary travel document typically allows you to return to your country of citizenship, but may have restrictions on travel to third countries.
When crossing the EU’s external borders, including Cyprus, border authorities may request documents confirming your connection to the temporary document, as well as digital biometric data if they have been included in the visa system.
Losing a passport in Cyprus requires a prompt response, including contacting the police, notifying the consulate, and, if necessary, obtaining a temporary document or a new passport. Following all procedures allows you to legally remain in Cyprus, return home, or continue your travels, as well as protect your personal information and prevent potential fraud. Responsible handling of documents and adherence to consular and police instructions ensures a safe resolution of the situation and minimizes the risk of complications.
