From 9 December Italian consulates worldwide can issue the new EU Emergency Travel Document (EU ETD), replacing older ad-hoc laissez-passer letters. The rollout follows Directive 2019/997 and an Italian Foreign-Ministry decree of 26 July 2024, but 8 December marked the official publication of operational guidance.
The document can be granted to stranded EU citizens whose passports have been lost or stolen in countries where their own state is not represented. For Italians, it offers a streamlined, biometric-ready form valid for a single trip home or to another destination authorised by Italian authorities. The ETD is free for 2026, though applicants must submit a police theft report and proof of travel bookings.
![New EU Emergency Travel Document Takes Effect for Italians Abroad]()
Why it matters to mobility teams: employees on assignment often misplace passports; until now replacements could take days. The ETD allows same-day return, reducing project downtime and hotel costs. Employers should add the ETD option to emergency-travel policies and brief travellers on the need to file police reports immediately.
Consulates warn that beneficiaries must hand the ETD back to border police on arrival; failure to do so could complicate future passport applications. Companies should therefore include hand-in reminders in post-trip checklists and retain copies for audit trails.
Longer term, the ETD’s biometric features foreshadow wider digital-identity initiatives that could link automatically to Italy’s forthcoming e-passport renewal system, expected in 2027.
The document can be granted to stranded EU citizens whose passports have been lost or stolen in countries where their own state is not represented. For Italians, it offers a streamlined, biometric-ready form valid for a single trip home or to another destination authorised by Italian authorities. The ETD is free for 2026, though applicants must submit a police theft report and proof of travel bookings.
Why it matters to mobility teams: employees on assignment often misplace passports; until now replacements could take days. The ETD allows same-day return, reducing project downtime and hotel costs. Employers should add the ETD option to emergency-travel policies and brief travellers on the need to file police reports immediately.
Consulates warn that beneficiaries must hand the ETD back to border police on arrival; failure to do so could complicate future passport applications. Companies should therefore include hand-in reminders in post-trip checklists and retain copies for audit trails.
Longer term, the ETD’s biometric features foreshadow wider digital-identity initiatives that could link automatically to Italy’s forthcoming e-passport renewal system, expected in 2027.
