The EU Consular Protection Directive (Council Directive (EU) 2015/637) establishes the cooperation and coordination measures to facilitate consular protection for unrepresented citizens of the European Union in third countries.
EU citizens are entitled to seek assistance from an Embassy or Consulate of any other EU Member State if they are in a third country and the Member State of their own nationality does not have a diplomatic or consular mission in that country. Assistance includes the issuance, where possible, of EU Emergency Travel Documents.
The Directive recognises that Member States in third countries may enter into practical arrangements locally to share responsibilities for providing consular protection to unrepresented EU citizens. This may mean that in certain locations, some EU Member States are better placed to provide assistance than others.
Where any difficulties arise, the citizen is advised to make contact with the nearest Embassy of Ireland or Consulate , or the Department of Foreign Affairs, who will be able to engage on the matter. The Directive encourages close cooperation between Member States, including between Member States which are not represented and with Member States in the location providing assistance.