Knowing where your local embassy is and what your embassy can do for you is extremely important when travelling.  Your local embassy can help you if any big issues such as issuing replacement passports, help transferring money or supporting victims of crime occur. Also remember that there are many things that your embassy can’t do.  Embassies cannot help get you out of trouble if it is entirely your own fault.  Remember you are bound to conform to the laws of the country you are in.  If you need to return home urgently your embassy is extremely unlike to help financially.

The large majorities of foreign embassies are located in Rome, the capital of Italy.  Some consulates are located in other large cities.  Outside of Rome there are three British consular districts based in the Milan, Naples and Florence.  The British Consulate in Florence is situated in Via Lugarno Corsini 2.  The American Consulate General in Florence is part of the United States Mission to Italy and includes the American Embassy in Rome.  The American Consulate General in Florence is located in Via Lungarno Vespuccci 38.

There are various other European consulates in Florence including: the Belgian, Danish and Maltese consulates on Via dei Servi, Finnish consulate on Via Strozzi, French consulate at Piazza Ognissanti, the German consulate is on the same street as the American consulate on Via Lungarno Vespucci, the Dutch consulate on Via Cavour, Norwegian consulate on Via G.Capponi, Spanish on Via G. La Pira, Swedish on Via Bonifacio Lupi and Swiss consulate at Piazzale Galileo.

The Central and South American countries with consulates in Florence include: Brazil at Piazza Pitti, Costa Rica and Venezuela on Via Giambologna, Honduras on Via dei Bardi, Mexico on Via Arte della Lana, Panama on Via Mayer and Peru on Via della Robbia.

There’s also the South African Consulate on Piazza Salterelli, 1, Tel: 055 281 863. Call to make an appointment.