Overseas emergencies
Emergencies can happen when you are travelling or living overseas. These can include terrorist attacks, extreme weather, natural hazards and civil unrest.
It is important to know what to do if you are involved in an emergency in a place you are not familiar with. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice to help British people prepare for emergencies overseas.
If you are affected by an emergency abroad, you can call the FCDO 24/7 on (+44) (0)207 008 5000.
Preparing for overseas emergencies
Check Travel Advice
Understand the risks, entry requirements, and local laws in the country you are travelling to before you go by checking the Travel Advice pages on GOV.UK.
Stay informed
Sign up for alerts for your destination(s) so you know if Travel Advice changes before or during your trip.
Know who to call
Make a note of the emergency phone number(s) in your destination (the equivalent of 999 in the UK). These can be found on your destination’s Travel Advice page under ‘Getting help’.
Get the right travel insurance
Make sure you have appropriate travel insurance for yourself and those you are travelling with, including medical evacuation. Make a note of the insurance company’s contact details and your policy number.
Keep important documents safe and accessible
Make sure your passport and other important documents for you and your family, such as identity or medical information, are up to date before you travel. In an emergency, having these documents to hand can help you respond quickly. Keep them somewhere secure. When you’re on the move, take care of your valuables, including your passport, and store them in a secure place such as a zipped inside pocket.
Further information and resources
The FCDO has published advice on how to prepare and what to do if you’re affected by extreme weather and natural hazards overseas such as tropical cyclones and earthquakes. There is specific advice on how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
The FCDO has also published advice on how to deal with a crisis overseas.
General advice on staying safe while travelling abroad can be found on the UK Government’s Travel Aware page and updates are provided on the FCDO Travel Aware social media channels on X, Facebook and Instagram.