For Italian citizens temporarily traveling in South Africa, an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) will be issued in the event of theft or loss of passport.
The ETD is a temporary travel document, valid for 15 days including the date of issue.
The ETD can be issued ONLY for return to Italy or to the country where the applicant has permanent residence, as proven by registration with AIRE.
To obtain an ETD, the applicant must be present at the Consulate (including newborns and minors).
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION – ADULT APPLICANTS
- Fill out the following ETD1 application form correctly;
- Provide two identical, recent (no more than six months old) passport-size photographs (for information, see the ICAO international standards website)
- Present a copy of an Italian identification document containing your photo and signature (e.g., identity card/driver’s license). In the absence of any identification document, as a last resort and in exceptional cases, the presence of a witness is required, who must also have an identity document, fill out Form AFT1, and be able to identify the applicant under their own responsibility.
The applicant must declare the entire flight itinerary and, if possible, show the airline ticket indicating the name of the person concerned and the departure date within 5 days of the ETD request.
It is advisable to go to the Consulate 2-3 days before departure, so as to have an ETD with greater coverage in the event of transport strikes or if the airline cancels the flight or changes the departure date.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR MINORS
If there are minor children, the consent of the other parent will also be required, together with a copy of an identification document (only if an EU citizen) in which the signature of the holder is legible. If the other parent of the minor is NOT an EU citizen, the consent form must be signed in the presence of a public official (notary or other recognised public authority).
Please note: ETDs may be issued for newborns whose birth certificate has not yet been duly registered in Italy with the competent Italian municipality only in cases of proven urgency and upon simultaneous request for the birth certificate to be sent for registration (correctly apostilled). An ETD may only be issued in cases where the minor has already possessed an Italian identity document and provided that their birth certificate has been duly registered in Italy.
SERVICE OPENING
After reading this page in its entirety, please contact the Consulate immediately at Tel: +27 11 728 1392 / +27 11 728 1393.
During working hours, the Consulate will receive proven emergencies without appointment from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
In case of emergencies outside working hours, call: +27 082 854 4725
Make sure you are within the jurisdiction of the Italian Consulate in Johannesburg: Provinces of Free State, Gauteng (excluding the Pretoria-Tshwane metropolitan area), KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West.
The cost of the ETD from 9 December 2025 is exempt from payment.