The loss or theft of the passport is a very unpleasant, nonetheless feasible problem. The first step is to contact the nearest police station and get a copy of the statement about what has happened. It is believed that if theft is declared the cause of loss, the issue is resolved easier.
The next step is to contact the consulate of the country which you are a citizen of. However, you need to come prepared. The fact is that the employees of the consulate will have to make sure that you are the one who you say you are. Thus, it is necessary to bring an internal passport or a copy sent by relatives via e-mail, as well as a copy of the application to the police. For copies verification may be necessary. You also need to bring 2 passport-sized photos to the consulate.
If it is impossible to get a copy of the document, you need to bring two people, the so-called "witnesses", who in a written statement will be able to confirm your identity. Their foreign and internal passports are also required.
Provided that there is no way to verify your identity on the spot, the consulate will have to send a request to your country, to the migration service. The downside of this process is that it is time-consuming.
After confirming your identity and paying the fee, you will receive a so-called certificate of return – with this document you will need to leave for your home country within 15-30 days. During the first three days upon arrival, you need to apply to the migration service at the place of residence, with an internal passport, a certificate of departure and a statement from the police.
If you have lost the driver's licence that you rented a car with, it is best to return the car and apply to the police. In case you are traveling in your own car, find out how long it will take to get a new driver's licence in situ. Sometimes it can be several days to several weeks. In addition, this is also quite a costly procedure. Perhaps the best and easiest option for you will be to leave the car in the parking lot and return home by alternative transportation means to get another licence. Keep in mind that a driver's licence from your homeland (not to be confused with international driving permit) may not be valid in all countries.
If you lost an airline ticket, do not worry – you can always print it out again, at the ouside your data can always be found in the airline's database. A bit more complicated is the case with paper tickets bought at ticket offices. If the original disappeared, you will have to contact the airline's office and ask for a copy, paying a small fine.
If you lose a credit card or have it stolen, contact the bank first and have it blocked (many banks offer the possibility of communication via skype). Ask family or friends to send you the required amount via bank transfer. In the future, try to distribute your money among several cards and do not carry them around all together.
Also, do not rush to panic if you can not find the document you need – maybe you dropped it somewhere nearby, and you just have to look around carefully and ask passers-by if they have seen it. In European countries, society takes a very responsible attitude to the things found. It would never hurt to contact the Lost and Found Bureau, including a virtual one. For example, on the international website www.lostandfound.com, you can leave a claim for loss or check in a relevant section if somebody is looking for you.
Be extremely attentive to your documents while on a trip. Keep them in the hotel safe and get in the habit of carrying copies with you. The main thing to remember is that all travel mishaps can be resolved – you just need not panic and should never hesitate to take action. Have pleasant trips!