When things go wrong

This page contains information on how the Consulate can help you in an emergency situation in Uruguay, such as in the case of serious illness or accident, death, theft and loss of valuables, arrest and imprisonment. Further information is also available in the travel advice section of the FCO website.

For out of hours emergencies, you can ring the Duty Officer at 094 461436. Please note that this telephone is for real consular emergencies only.

Serious Illness or Accident

Contact the Consular Section of the British Embassy if you need assistance. We can help by getting in touch with doctors and family in the UK and will offer any practical assistance we can. If you are hospitalised, we will contact the hospital as soon as possible after we are notified, normally within 24 hours. We can liaise with the hospital and your family in the UK and, in cases of serious illness or injury and long-term hospitalisation, visit you if no friends or relatives are available. For further information on how the Consulate can help you please  visit the If you are seriously ill or injured page on this website.

Death

The Uruguayan authorities and the insurance company or travel agency will normally take care of many of the arrangements when a British citizen dies in Uruguay. The British Embassy will help in any way they can with the arrangements when a British citizen dies in Uruguay. For further information on how the Consulate can help you please visit the Help if someone dies page on this website.

Theft and Loss of Valuables

If your wallet, purse, passport or anything else of value is lost or stolen, you should report the incident to the nearest police station immediately. Be sure to obtain a report of the incident from the police.

If you have lost your passport and  you need to obtain a new passport, see the instructions in the passport information section of this website. If you have lost credit cards, you should contact your card issuer immediately.

Money Transfer

We can help you to obtain cash in cases of emergency, for example, if you have been robbed or you have lost all of your money. There are a number of ways to do this, such as via Western Union or by credit card. Many ATMs in Uruguay accept British bankcards. The Embassy cannot lend you money under any circumstances.

Arrest & Imprisonment

If you are arrested and charged with a serious offence, insist that the Consulate is informed, this is your right. We will visit you in custody as soon as possible after notification. We can provide you with a list of English speaking lawyers, advise on local procedures and speak to your family in the UK, if you wish. We cannot pay for a lawyer for you, but we can provide advice on the Uruguayan legal aid system under which British citizens may also claim. We cannot persuade the authorities to release you or reduce the charges, and we cannot put up bail for you. If you are imprisoned in Uruguay, a British consular official will visit you as needs arise. For further information on how the Consulate can help you please visit the  Help if you are arrested page on this website.