.Passport & Visa Information & Consulate Advice

Always complete the next of kin details in the back of your passport. Make two photo copies of the personal details of your passport including the passport number. Keep this copy in a seperate safe place whilst travelling. If you loose your passport whilst abroad this information will make it easier for a replacement or travel document to be issued. Exchange copies with your next of kin if they are travelling with you. Leave the second copy with a realive or friend in the UK who you can contact if the need arises.

IMPORTANT NOTE Further information and advice on any country is available from the British Foreign Office.

This site provides information and advice on UK consular and Embassy services in all euromost countries whether you are a tourist or business traveller. It will also advise you if it is advisable to register with them in certain areas.

Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Central Europe, Baltic States Northern Europe (Scandinavia) & Russia Consulate Advice Travel Information & Advice

UK Passports

The cost of a new adult 10-year passport is from £72. Child passports are £45. Fast tracked passports are £97. Each passport contains an electronic chip containing personal details of its owner. More information on applying for a British Passport

Medical Matters & Insurance EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)

If you need medical or dental assistance abroad it may not be readily available and or it may not be free at the point that you use it even if you have relavent insurance. Initially, you may have to pay for it and claim it back on your return home.

When purchasing a policy you should check what it does and does not cover. For example, some health policies do not cover dental treatment.

Some health policies will only cover you after you have paid costs below there 'excess level'. Some policies will have a limit on the liabilty they cover.

If you are going on an 'activity break or holiday' you may need special insurance naming the activity you doing. For example skiing or bungee jumping.

If you have any insurance policies, it is advisable to take a photo copy of the same with you. The very least you should take is the number that you should ring in an emergency.

Some countries, especially eu member states, have an exchange policy with the UK for emegency medical treatment. Full details of these arrangements known as the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) are available via your local post office, by dialling 0845 606 2030 or online at .fco.gov.uk

If you visit involves you staying and or working the UK may have a social security agreement with the country you are going to. For more details of what this agreement does or not cover go to the e Department for Work and Pensions’ website (www.dwp.gov.uk). It is advisable to have a dental check up if you are going on a long stay visit.

Occasionally, in some countries it may be a requirement or adviseable to be innoculated against specific diseases. The consular / embassys for the country will advise you of any requirements (se the right hand column). Your GP and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office are other sources of information. The latter is a especially useful.

If you are taking prescribed medicine with you it is advisable to check with the country's consulate whether poession of the medicine would present you with any legal problems under their law

Useful Travel Tips For The Smarter Traveller

When travelling abroad no one is as 'streetwise' as they are when at home. Practically every city in the world has its own local problems. In Eastern Europe , as in Western Europe petty crime can be a problem especially in tourist areas, coach and rail stations. See the euromost safety and security article in each city guide for more info.

In some rural areas of a few countries, notably Russia and the former Yugoslavia, landmines and political instability may pose a threat. Where there is such a risk euromost have on top left handside of the page posted a flashing beacon.

An adjacent 'travel warning link to the Travel Warnings Page & British Government Foriegn Office will give you updated information. The FO website is a very good source of information. We reccommend the ‘Know Before You Go’ page

Avian & Pandemic Influenza ( Bird Flu )

The risks to humans from avian flu are low, but it is possible that current outbreaks in birds could at some point develop into a human flu pandemic which would be much more serious

In addition to sufficient funds for your visit, you should have access to additional funds. These funds may be in the form GBP Euro's or US$. If you are carrying Cash or Credit Cards check that they may be used in the country you are going to before you depart. You are also advised to carry seperately details of these cards and the number you should ring if you loose them on your trip.

Please note that in some countries, for example Albania, credit cards are not always accepted in smaller establishments. More credit card information is given in the country profile pages.

European American Embassies