Arrest and prison abroad
If, while travelling as a British national, you are arrested or detained overseas, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) or the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate can give advice on local laws and procedures, contact friends and family and help find a lawyer.
If you're arrested or detained
If you're arrested or detained, you should contact or ask the local authorities to contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate as soon as possible.
The British embassy, high commission or consulate will aim to contact you as soon as possible after being told about your arrest or detention.
It will then aim to provide help according to the individual circumstances and local conditions.
You can find details about what help is available at this link:
What the FCDO and British consulate can’t do
The FCDO and British consulate won’t be able to:
- get you out of prison or detention or pay fines
- help you get special treatment
- give or pay for legal advice, start legal proceedings on your behalf, interfere in local judicial procedures, or investigate a crime
- forward letters or parcels to you if the police or prison do not allow this
- prevent local authorities from deporting you after release
- get involved if you are a dual national and are arrested in a country for which you hold a valid passport
Travelling on an Irish passport
If you're travelling on an Irish passport, you can find useful information at the following links.