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This is a question we have asked our self a lot, but never found a proper answer. We are a couple with different nationalities, where our children have both. We are wondering which Embassy we should contact abroad in case we need consular support, or would the family in that case be split to get support from each embassy/consulate. Luckily we haven't been in a situation, where we would need consular support. Hopefully we would never have to, but still it would be nice to know in case something happens.

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  • Are you residents of one of the two countries? If you needed repatriation, where would you go?
    – Gilles 'SO- stop being evil'
    Commented Jul 19, 2011 at 21:30
  • yes. In case of repatriation we would go to our country of residence.
    – user141
    Commented Jul 20, 2011 at 6:03

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Embassies and consulates will only assist their own citizens. For example, the section of the US embassy that performs this function is called "American Citizen Services". You and your spouse would have to contact your respective countries' embassies. As your children are dual citizens they could get assistance from either embassy.

Only in exceedingly rare emergency situations such as evacuations during times of war you might get assistance for your entire family despite that fact that some members are non-citizens. For anything else routine you would have to visit your home country's embassy. Many people are under the impression (usually from watching too many movies) that an embassy will going to extraordinary lengths to protect their citizens. In reality, it is usually the opposite and the embassy will rarely intervene in emergencies. For example, if you are arrested in a foreign country, you should only expect a consular visit and the telephone number of a local lawyer. If you run out of money, they are not going to loan you money to fly home etc.

Finally, in theory, EU citizens can visit the embassy of any other EU country if their home country does not have local representation. For example, Portugal does not have an embassy in Cambodia, but in theory a Portuguese citizen living there could receive assistance at the French Embassy there. I've heard that in practice that this doesn't work as well as it should.

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    +1 for lowering expectations of what an embassy does in case of emergencies.
    – user141
    Commented Jul 20, 2011 at 6:06
  • I guess a proper travel insurance will probably be the best assistance guarantee.
    – user141
    Commented Jul 20, 2011 at 6:22
  • @Andra: Yes it's best to have low expectations about what your embassy can do. Many people are disappointed. That doesn't mean they can't do anything of course.
    – hippietrail
    Commented Jul 20, 2011 at 8:10

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