Consulat De Suisse, Lille

Consular protection extended by Swiss embassies and consulates chiefly comprises services which cannot be provided by means of travel insurance. If you are intending to travel abroad, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) recommends you take out insurance covering additional costs that may arise in connection with rescue, medical treatment, repatriation and legal protection. The assistance provided by the FDFA depends on individual needs, local conditions and the legal situation. It includes the following services: issuing a temporary travel document to people who have lost their passports or identity cards assisting with the transfer abroad of funds from Switzerland notifying rescue services providing repayable advances for the trip home or medical treatment arranging contact with doctors, hospitals or emergency services, visiting the sick or injured person in hospital if necessary and possible organising repatriation in the event of death, notifying the family of the deceased; arranging the return or burial or cremation of their remains. if a person has been arrested: inform his family; arrange a court-appointed counsel and, if necessary, an official interpreter to defend the rights of the detainee; provide addresses of private law firms; visit the detainee in prison; campaign for the humane treatment and respect for basic rights of the person during his imprisonment.