CARRYING PASSPORTS IN EUROPE

Earl, I have always done as you say,, and never had a problem. I do carry my DL with me.

This is always an eternal question with the same answer [INVALID] so do, so don't. I always do under the theory that it is the only thing that proves I am in the country legally. A copy proves nothing. Second, if you need it and don't have it, then that is going to be problem. There was a posting a couple of years ago from a young man in Spain that had only a copy when the police asked for it. It took the intervention of some locals to keep him from going to jail. I don't understand the reluctance to carry the passport but there are lots of things I don't understand.

I carry mine with me always. I'm one of those apparently rare birds who doesn't even notice my money belt after the first 45 seconds of wearing it...

I carry mine safely stored away in my money belt. After the short time it takes me to get used to it each trip, I don't feel comfortable without it on!

I always know where my passport is - in my money belt. A copy would do little good it you are stopped by the authorities. I keep a copy of it hidden in my suitcase locked up in my hotel room. If my hotel or B&B burns down while I am away, I will not have lost my passport. I have found that in all the years that I have been on this web site that this issue brings up lots of folks with two differing opinions as does the topic of when and where to get Euros. I guess that is what makes this place so interesting.

In about 22 weeks of travel in Germany in the 80s and in this decade, I have NEVER had to show anyone my passport except at Passport Control at an airport, arriving and departing, and a few border crossings pre-Schengen. However, I try to protect it, and nowhere is saver than in my money belt, on me.

I always carry my passport, airline tickets,ATM cards, credit cards, Rail Pass (and copies of all my daughter) and big money in my money belt. They never leave my body except for shower. That way I know for sure they are safe.

I only carry mine when traveling across a border. Otherwise it's in the hotel safe. I keep copies with me however.

I only carry mine when traveling across a border. Otherwise it's in the hotel safe. I keep copies with me however.

As others have said, I always have mine in my money belt. You may never need to show it, but it's better to have it with you then not have it.

I never carry mine around except when traveling on the train or plane. Once I get where I am going, it stays in the hotel safe, or hotel room depending on the hotel..... In all my years of living overseas, almost 24 now, I have never, ever had to show my passport. If I drove a car, then I might consider it, but since I don't, there is no reason to have it with me..... Since the Consulate has come out with passport I.D. cards, this looks like a good option to have and we are planning on getting these.

Honestly, no matter how many people I hear saying "I don't bring it, never been asked for it", I prefer to think that if the country's government says it's required, it's required. Call me paranoid, but whether or not 320492384309 other people were never asked to present a passport doesn't mean I won't be. If a rule is in place, I'm going to be a responsible visitor and follow it whether or not it's typically enforced.

Anna,, id is required, not all countries say it has to be your Passport,, and frankly some people are just nervous nellys and wouldn't jay walk at 5 in the morning. Some of us live recklessly,, LOL

It really doesn't matter in western Europe. The key is to have a copy in the opposite location of your passport. So if it is lost or stolen, you'll have the copy to aid in getting a new one at the embassy.

We always carry the originals, in neck pouches or money belt. We keep copies stashed elsewhere. In Italy, we were required to present our passports when emailing at internet cafes. I don't know if a copy would be acceptable if you plan to do that.

I always carry mine. I just like knowing where it is. I recently got a passport card, so I would most likely have that with me, too.

The original passport is on my person whether in a jacket pocket or the hidden pocket, not in the luggage when I am on a train or plane. I remember seeing Americans scrambling through their luggage when the controllers came on when crossing between France and Germany. When I am in town, the passport is still usually on my person same as on the train. Sometimes I leave it in the room of my Pension or hotel but not in a hostel room locker. When I'm staying in a hostel, even in a private single room let alone a dorm room, the passport is on my person when I leave for the day. I've only recently written down a copy of my paasport # to be left in the luggage. I don't make a passport copy...haven't done that in 16 trips since 1971. The passport is secure against pickpocketing. I, too, have never been stopped and asked to produce the passport, not even in commie East Berlin by the Vopos in 1987 and 1989 or Prague in 1973. In western Europe I'm not going to be unduly concerned about my USA passport, as long as I know they're not going to jump me for it.

Funny you mention this, Pat. I just walked past a bit of a brawl in downtown Seattle this morning, because some guy was being ticketed for jaywalking and wasn't too happy about it.

OK Anna.. but, was it 5 am !!

Give or take a few hours :) But a good friend of mine did get pulled over for jaywalking on a deserted street at 4am back when we were in college. True story! Just illustrates my point that even if it's unlikely, this stuff does happen to somebody.

I was traveling by train from Munich to Switzerland and there were three plainclothes officials checking passports when we crossed the border. It seemed to be a random check and they passed me by. I had it though because I thought I would be checked.

I was traveling by train from Munich to Switzerland and there were three plainclothes officials checking passports when we crossed the border. It seemed to be a random check and they passed me by. I had it though because I thought I would be checked.

Yes Bob.. one should always have their passport on them when actually travelling. Totally agree.

Your passport is your only valid ID when traveling in Europe. It's not only proof of who you are but proof you are in the country legally. How often do you have to show your driver's license? Rarely, if ever. How many people suggest you carry only a copy of your driver's license in your wallet and leave your original "safe" at home? No one. Keep your passport with you. You aren't likely to need it but you can literally be asked anytime by any law enforcement for your ID. You can be fined for not having it. It's much better to have your passport with you.

Jo, Unfortunately the passport cards are only good for North America and the Caribbean so far.

I always have mine, in my money belt. I would be nervous to leave my passport anywhere other on my person, with my money, train tickets etc.

Brad, regardless of whether passport cards are valid for travel anywhere besides North America and the Caribbean, they are still good ID. I think that's what Jo was getting at, not using it in place of a passport in Europe.

Correcto Nancy. I of course take my passport with me when I travel and the ID card was just going to be an extra piece of ID as I don't have a drivers license over here. Carrying a passport with you every day when you live here is a bit over the top, but my son ends up doing it as he has no other ID at all. That said, I myself have never been asked for my passport in day to day life.

Brad,,you go for it,, I will continue the way I am,, I am not in the least bit worried about being stopped and id'd by police in western Europe( might be more careful in some other places) while sightseeing. and I am not worried about looking like I am legally in the country either,, I suppose that may be more of an issue for some people though.. like being Hispanic looking in Arizona I guess. I stay with family sometimes,, and frankly I just don't ever see myself being arrested while in a museum or cafe for not having my passport. Out of interest has anyone actually heard FIRST HAND of that happening to anyone,, a regular tourist I mean. ?? I have never ever read about it on any travel forum,, so looks like one in a million to me.. I only carry my DL for things like at the Louvre, you HAVE TO LEAVE your id with them to rent an audio guide. I always rent an audio guide,, and I would never hand over my passport to the bored looking worker who puts them in a open file box, left on the counter, till you return the machine. I am happy to hand over my DL however. BTW,, if I lost my PP I would not be in a big tizzy either,, I would look at it as a few more days on holiday.. unless I was on a tour,, that would be difficult. I do however carry my PP on me when actually travelling though,, in moneybelt,, so no, I am not the least bit worried.

If I am staying at a friend's residence in Austria or Germany for a couple of days during a trip of a few to several weeks, and they are driving me around in the city or outside, my passport usually but not always stay in their home. I just carry my Calif Driver's License on me. Even if I'm walking around town alone, I usually leave the passport at the house. As a tourist in 16 trips to Europe from 1971-2010, I have never been stopped by any city police, the Grenzschultz, or any other official asking me to produce the passport. But, I have seen them stop and question other people. If I were to be stopped, I would just tell them the address of the house where I am staying and that's where my passport is.

No, that is just it, Germany does not issue resident cards to Americans. I just have a residency stamp in my passport. Thus, we do need some sort of official ID card, which we are finally now getting.

Nancy, The point is the passport card isn't valid ID in Europe.....Oh well, we'll soon have imbedded chips in us with all travel, health and banking information in them so the point will be moot.

Nothing I have read anywhere suggests that a US passport card is not valid ID in Europe. It may not be valid as ID for travel, but it is still officially recognized US identification.

Backup ID is never a bad idea, and one with your photo and the US government seal seems pretty good to me. I would be interested to know who has said they would not accept it as proof of identity (other than airports, and seaports outside the covered areas).

Brad, the ID card is being issued by the American Consulate here. Why would it not be valid ID to use here in the city, like when using a credit card, or for me to pick up packages from the post? It is easier to put in a wallet then my passport. I don't have a drivers license, so, having this form of ID could come in handy for me. No one has said anything about trying to travel to other countries with this, that is what your passport is for. For those of us who are ex-pats here in Germany, it is nice that we finally get to have something like this.

Jo, I am curious - do you get any sort of resident card (assuming you are not living there on a visa)? If I didn't have a driver's license here in the U.S., I would use my green card as a more "mobile" form of ID.

Thanks for the info! I think I'd prefer a stamp in my passport to having a separate card. Since almost everyone does have a driver's license here, it just becomes another thing to keep track of. Although it is a pretty cool-lookin' card.

(according to the Consulate General of the United States...) Passport cards are NOT valid ID in the Netherlands, so watch yourselves ;-)

Eileen, if I was in the Netherlands I'd have my actual passport with me, so no problem.

...and to come full-circle, that's why my passport is always in my money belt on my body.

Passport cards from US are valid only for Canada and Mexico AFAIK. Many Continental European countries have ID-carry requirements, which, for foreigners, mean carrying your passport. On-spot passport checks are legal and sometimes do occur. It's the kind of hassle that you would rather avoid, though not likely to be faced with.

From the US Consulate website about the Passport cards. http://germany.usembassy.gov/acs/passportcard/

I haven't found a good reason not to carry my passport with me in my money belt at all times.

Just to beat it to death (ha) Passport Cards are only valid FOR TRAVEL BETWEEN Canada/USA/Mexico. They ARE accepted as valid ID in most European countries...just don't try the Netherlands ;-)