With British Consulates in Portugal issuing 493 emergency passports in 2012/13, the British Embassy is urging British nationals to take care of their passports and renew them in good time.

In May 2013, 50 emergency passports were issued to British Nationals in Portugal. This included 24 as a result of theft, principally bag theft, car break-ins, burglary and pick-pocketing. Of the 26 emergency passports issued for other reasons, 15% were because the passport had expired.