Indian Passport stolen in Barcelona, need to get back to Stockholm from where a week later flight to India is booked
My passport was stolen yesterday (16 Dec 2018) in Barcelona. As a consequence I missed my flight yesterday night to Stockholm and I am stuck in Spain. I have all the copies of my documents (passport, visa, airline tickets, Police Report etc) with me. I am not sure if the Indian consulate in Barcelona will provide a travel document for me to fly back to Stockholm. I need to immediately get back to Sweden-Stockholm, because I have a return flight next week (23 Dec 2018). Also I try to get a temporary passport from Indian Embassy in Stockholm which is easier for me. I was on a business trip and all my belongings are in Stockholm hotel.
I am stuck and helpless. Not sure if I have to travel to Indian Embassy in Madrid for a duplicate/temporary passport or if I will get a travel document from the Indian consulate in Barcelona. Has anybody faced the same issue? I will update on my progress. Didn't see it coming.
Sorry if this is a duplicate, my brain is just blank.
Best Answer
Summary and solution of the ordeal
After obtaining the Police Report it was too late so went back and booked the same hotel. Rushed to the Barcelona consulate for some ID letters, instead they suggested me to try my luck with the airlines which didn't happen. No airlines allowed me to fly based on the Police Report and the document printouts I had.
Took the afternoon train to Madrid and booked AirBnB near Usera in Madrid. Went to Indian Embassy the next day and after a lot of hassle(since I had no CASH(15-Euros) to pay for the Emergency certificates, for which the Embassy DEMANDED that I give them the same in a written affidavit) got my Emergency Certificates(WHITE PASSPORT valid for a month).
Paid $180 extra and rescheduled my Stockholm Emirates tickets from Madrid (to Bengaluru via Dubai) and flew back to India. Also I was advised to take either direct flights or flights via GULF countries and strictly AVOID via LONDON.
Some friends even suggested train route from Madrid to Stockholm(almost 25+ hrs with ID checks at borders). Multiple trains, random ID checks and almost 500 euros trip was not consoling for me :)
Also initially when asked for an ID to travel back to Sweden, the Indian Embassy said their ID letter to an India lady with a similar case(passport stolen in Barcelona), who wanted to fly to Sweden didn't work. Airlines didn't allow her to fly back to Sweden. This was a day before I went to the Embassy. I am not sure if there are any lucky devils who pulled it off. Document checks are very strict for Indians.
NOTE TO INDIANS: As an Indian we expect people of Indian Embassy to be KIND towards us. But please DON'T make that MISTAKE. They are ruthless in their execution. They will make you realize that you have committed THE BIGGEST CRIME BY LOSING YOUR PASSPORT. I was wandering for 15 euros and a couple of euros for that automated photo-vending machine. ATMs are rare and I was not even sure if my card would work for cash withdrawal. I offered to pay an Indian staff personnel via PayPal in exchange for some cash, but in vain. Finally got help from some restaurant, swiped card for coffee and some cash. Spaniards were helpful and that wiped off all my grudge :0)
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Can you travel if your passport is stolen?
When you go to the nearest embassy or consulate, you will have to complete the DS-11 passport application, as well as the DS-64 form for lost or stolen passports. On top of that, you will also have to offer a travel itinerary and proof of the theft (if it's the case).What should I do if I lost my Indian passport in another country?
What to do when you Lose your Passport in Abroad?What do you do if you lose your passport before traveling?
What to do if you lose your passport in Barcelona?
1. If your passport is lost or stolen you must immediately report this to your nearest Comisar\xeda (police station) and make a report (denuncia). You can make a police report in three different ways: i) In person: A list of police stations in the different regions of Spain is available.Surrender Indian Passport with FORM XXII Step by Step - SPAIN
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