Emergency aid for Germans abroad
Source: BUS Rheinland-PfalzGerman missions abroad are usually embassies or consulates general. For example, they can
- issue you with a travel document to return to Germany if you lose your passport,
- arrange contact with relatives or friends at home if you lose your money,
-
show you how to transfer money quickly,
- for example, Blitzgiro, telegraphic postal transfer, Western Union Money Transfer or
- in countries where these transfer methods are not available, a transfer via the foreign representative office,
- provide you with legal or medical assistance as well as interpreting or translation services,
- arrange legal representation for you on request in the event of arrest and inform your relatives,
- arrange for you as a relative to be informed of the death of a German national abroad and arrange for local morticians to take care of the formalities,
- help you in the event of missing persons, for example by involving the local police and supporting you in discussions with local authorities,
- provide assistance if the tour operator becomes insolvent,
- provide support in crisis situations and during evacuations.
The German representations can help you if no other assistance is possible. In this case, you have extensive obligations to cooperate and provide information. The principle of "helping people to help themselves" applies. Financial assistance provided is a social benefit that is subject to charges and repayable.