I am currently in Palermo (love it, btw). I have noticed that small groups of police and soldiers are stopping people and asking for idenfication. But not everyone. I was right next to several people who were questioned, but I was not. Go figure.
On another subject - every time I got on a bus or train I was asked for my ticket. I've had this happen several times but this week it has been EVERY time.
Just a word of advice, certainly not a complaint!!!!
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
820 posts
I was once asked for an official ID in Italy in Sorrento I believe. I handed them my drivers license and they were happy, which is good because my passport was in my hotel safe.
I’m going to continue to make this calculated risk and leave my passport in the safe because I know people who have lost their passport and I really don’t want to spend an entire day at the local US Embassy
Posted by
11733 posts
Just in case you loose your passport… we handed the filled out required forms from the US Embassy website and had photos taken, turned it all in at the Embassy at 8:30 or 9:00 and was told to return at 3:00 to pick up new passport. Very efficient, not a wasted day at all.
Posted by
New Jersey
80 posts
We took many trains in Italy and were asked for our passports once on a regional train. We also were asked at the Colosseum and the Vatican.
We carried them everywhere with us carefully in cross-body bags. We left copies in our suitcases at the apartment as well.
Posted by
98 posts
In twenty five years of visiting and living in Italy only once have I been asked to show my identification and I couldn’t decide whether to show my drivers license, (NYS), my USA passport or my carta d’identità. I took out all three and the carabinieri and I had a good laugh over it. I’d just picked up my carta d’identità earlier. Must be security related otherwise I can’t see it happening like that.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8106 posts
I carry only a photocopy of my passport if I'm not renting a car. The Search box top left will show you hundreds of discussions using keywords like "passport hotel" or "passport hotel safe".