Documents are easy to ignore until they are urgently needed. A simple document set can help a family act faster during travel disruption, evacuation, medical care or insurance follow-up.
What to include
Prepare copies of:
- passports or national IDs;
- residence permits where relevant;
- health insurance details;
- prescriptions and medical notes;
- emergency contacts;
- school or childcare contacts;
- insurance policies;
- bank and utility contacts.
Store copies securely. Use encryption for digital copies and protect physical copies from casual access.
Keep it practical
Do not carry sensitive documents everywhere without a reason. Decide what stays at home, what is stored digitally and what might go in a grab folder.
Review the set when documents expire, family details change or you move home.
Respect local rules
Document requirements vary by country and situation. This checklist is a starting point, not legal advice.
This article is informational. Follow official instructions from local authorities and emergency services during any incident.