The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office has dealt with more than 328,000 enquiries and requests – nearly 900 calls a day – for help over the past year, ranging from lost passports to medical emergencies.
The vast majority of enquiries are valid requests for help, according to a statement issued by the FCDO as peak summer holiday season begins.
But some of them are more “unusual”.
Here are some of the most weird and wonderful queries received by the FCDO’s expert consular staff:
1. A British tourist in Jordan called the embassy to ask where they could get blonde highlights.
2. A British holidaymaker asked the embassy in Egypt to fix the shower temperature at their hotel.
A British visitor to Abuja, Nigeria, asked for help getting a refund for a meal they didn’t like at a restaurant.
3. The FCDO consular service was asked by a British traveller how they could get in touch with their postman while away.
4. A visitor to the UK asked their local embassy for help booking Royal Ascot tickets.
5. A Brit in Georgia called the FCDO to ask if their two pets could be granted British citizenship to guarantee diplomatic protection.
6. A visitor to Paris called the embassy to ask for help locating where they had parked their car, believing they had left it somewhere near the Eiffel Tower.
7. Another Brit in Paris called to ask how much duck pâté they could bring into the UK.
8. A British football fan in Italy called to ask where they could watch the Scotland v Haiti group game in Milan.
Clearly these matters – while they might raise a smile – are not the best use of time for the FCDO’s expert consular staff, who are on hand to provide 365 days a year around the clock to support Brits abroad.
What is an appropriate request for help from British consular staff?
The FCDO says the areas where the UK government can help Brits abroad, in the event that something goes wrong while travelling overseas, include:
1. Up-to-date travel advice on local laws, cultural differences, safety risks and how to contact local authorities.
2. Emergency Travel Documents for people whose passports are lost or stolen, to allow them to return home or to continue their journey.
3. Information and advice for British nationals who are victims of crime or who require medical assistance. In 2025, 8,573 people contacted the FCDO because they were receiving medical care abroad.
4. Advice and support to British nationals who are arrested abroad, including lists of English-speaking lawyers and translators.
Fraser McDougall, head of the consular contact centre, said: “While we can’t help with retrieving lost cars or where to watch the football, we’re proud of the support we provide to over a quarter of a million Brits each year.”
Sarah Taylor, director for consular and crisis, said: “Whether it is helping to replace a lost passport or supporting people in crisis the FCDO has expert consular staff available 24/7, 365 days a year to help.”
The department is urging British holidaymakers to check FCDO travel advice, make sure they have appropriate insurance, and keep passports safe to avoid “preventable problems” while abroad.