Nobody travels thinking about emergencies, but those who are prepared stay calm and able to act when it counts. Whether it's theft, discrimination, a medical problem or legal questions, it helps a lot to know who you can turn to and which steps make sense. This guide gives you a clear overview of the most important points of contact and shows how to set yourself up well before the trip, so that an incident doesn't turn into a crisis.
Embassy and consulate – your official point of contact
For many of the more serious problems abroad, your country's embassy or consulate is the central point of contact. Among other things, they help with the loss of your passport, in emergencies, with serious illness, or when you come into contact with the local authorities.
- Passport gone: If your passport is lost or stolen, the mission will usually issue a replacement document for the journey home.
- Emergencies: In serious emergencies, the embassy can advise and put you in touch with the right contacts.
- Contact with relatives: In certain cases, the mission can help establish contact with your relatives.
Important: before the trip, note down the address and emergency number of the responsible mission at your destination and save them offline too. In an emergency, that's quicker than having to search first.
Knowing local LGBT organisations
Many destinations have organisations that advocate for queer people. They know the local conditions, speak the language and can often help more quickly and more precisely in tricky situations than general bodies can.
Depending on the location, such organisations offer advice, referrals to queer-friendly doctors or lawyers, and support with experiences of discrimination. Before the trip, research whether there are corresponding points of contact at your destination, and note down their contact details. A bit of research in advance can be very valuable in an emergency.
Theft and loss
Theft can happen to anyone and is frustrating, but usually manageable if you go about it methodically.
- File a report: File a report with the local police. You often need the confirmation for your insurance.
- Block cards: Have stolen bank and credit cards blocked immediately. Keep the necessary blocking numbers ready offline.
- Documents: If your passport is lost, turn to the embassy or consulate.
- Insurance: Report the loss to your travel or contents insurance and submit the police confirmation.
Tip: keep copies of your most important documents separate from the originals, for example digitally in secure storage and also as a printout. That way you stay able to act even if you lose everything.
Experiencing discrimination
If you experience discrimination, your safety is the most important thing. Get yourself out of the situation and to a safe place before you think about further steps.
- Safety first: Leave uncomfortable situations if possible and find a safe place.
- Get support: Local LGBT organisations can advise you and help with the next steps.
- Document it: If it's safe to do so, record what happened, as that can be helpful later.
- Involve your accommodation: For incidents connected with your accommodation, you can turn to the management or the booking provider.
Don't forget that you're also allowed to seek emotional support, whether from your travel companion, a trusted person at home, or a counselling centre. A distressing experience weighs less heavily when you don't carry it alone.
Medical emergencies
In medical emergencies, quick, clear action counts. It's best to inform yourself about the key points before the trip, so you don't have to start researching in an emergency.
- Emergency number: Memorise the local emergency number or note it offline.
- International health insurance: Clarify your coverage before the trip and keep your insurer's emergency number ready.
- Medication: If you depend on medication, carry the active ingredient name and a doctor's certificate so you can get help faster on the ground.
- Queer-friendly care: Local organisations can often recommend doctors with whom you'll feel in good hands.
Good international health insurance is one of the most important travel preparations of all. In an emergency it takes a lot of financial and organisational weight off your shoulders.
Preparing in advance: your emergency plan
The best emergency is the one you're prepared for. With a bit of preparation, you save yourself stress in an emergency and gain valuable time.
- Note down the address and emergency number of your country's mission at the destination.
- Research local LGBT organisations and save their contact details.
- Keep the emergency and card-blocking numbers for your insurance and cards ready offline.
- Make copies of your most important documents, digital and on paper.
- Leave your travel details with a trusted person at home.
- Save the local emergency number and the address of your accommodation offline.
This short list can be put together in half an hour and gives you a calm feeling in the back of your mind throughout the whole trip.
Frequently asked questions
When should I turn to the embassy?
Above all when your passport is lost or stolen, in genuine emergencies, with serious illness, or when you come into contact with the local authorities. It's best to note down the contact details of the responsible mission before the trip.
How do I find local LGBT organisations?
It's best to research before the trip whether there are organisations at your destination that support queer people. Save their contact details offline. Such bodies know the local conditions and can often help especially precisely in tricky situations.
What's the most important thing with discrimination?
Your safety. Get yourself out of the situation and to a safe place first. Only then come the further steps like getting support or documenting. Go ahead and seek emotional support too, since you don't have to get through this alone.
Do I need international health insurance?
It's highly recommended. Good international health insurance protects you from high costs and organisational hassle in a medical emergency. Clarify the scope of coverage before the trip and keep the emergency number ready.
Conclusion
Emergencies can never be entirely ruled out, but they can be well cushioned. When you know that the embassy and consulate, local LGBT organisations and your insurance are there for you in an emergency, you travel more at ease. Before departure, put together a small emergency plan with the most important contacts and document copies, saved offline and within easy reach. That way you're prepared for the unexpected and can focus entirely on the good things about your trip.