Hi. I've never been overseas, but I will be in Italy in 2 months. I've heard hotels will often hold your passport for a bit. I'm anticipating that, but how long do they typically hold it? What should I expect, and what is the proper etiquette for getting it back? Thank you.
Posted by
Bellevue, WA
257 posts
No, they should not hold you passport. They are require by law to check out you passport, but not holding. Not in Italy.
Posted by
Carbondale, IL, USA
1201 posts
the hotel is required to fill out report for the local authorities on guests at the hotel. The information required for the report is on your passport. They will ask for your passport at check in, get the info and return the passport to you. Obviously, if there is a large party checking in, they may "hold" your passport while they check everyone in. Then fill out their report in a quieter time. That may cause a bit of a delay from when you actually get checked in and when you get your passport back. they will return you passport to you, they will not nor should they hold it overnight etc. Once you have settled into your room, you may wish to stop by the desk and request your passport back.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
David, don' t worry about it, they aren't going to sell it or lose it, they do have to fill out forms, and sometimes they have a bunch of people checking in so its easier to just keep them and then do them later when its quiet,, they will return it as soon as they can, you just have to ask.
Ps In many hotels they ask you to return the key to them when you go out for the day, this seems to upset some people, but it is normal, this is because in older character type places replacing lost keys is difficult and expensive .
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23311 posts
It is common practice, especially in Italy, to take your passport. Often it is returned within the hour, depending on how busy the clerk is, and sometimes overnight. With copying machines and other scan devices it is not uncommon for them to just scan the passport but in smaller hotel, B&Bs, they may hold the passport for awhile. In 20 years of travel have never had a problem and they do it to everyone, not just American tourist, Relax, it is not a big deal.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16375 posts
They don't hold it in the sense of impounding it. They just need to copy the details to provide to the police as required by law. If no one else is checking in, they may do that on the spot and hand it back. Or they may need to defer for a few hours and return it later. Do not worry; they will return it. In my 40+ years of traveling in Europe it has never caused a problem.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1324 posts
I have been asked for my passport when buying a SIM card for my phone at TIMM
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
To use internet cafes most require passport to be shown. Not sure why, but it seems common. Also if you wish to get back the VAT,, when shopping you will have to show your passport( this I have never done as I don't shop enough to qualify for a refund) .
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32859 posts
Its not really an issue. Sometimes they scan and return, sometimes return the next time you visit the desk. "Have you finished with my passport, please" seems to work wonders. The bit about the key is also good to know.
Posted by
Toledo
653 posts
Most hotels now use a photocopier, which takes less time than taking down the passport information by hand. Usually I can have my passport back at the desk as I check in, or by the time I unpack. Only once did I have to wait a few hours for the passport, because the photocopier code was not available to the person at the front desk.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8483 posts
Not to hijack thread, but is there any legitimate reason that anyone else would ask to see your passport ?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23311 posts
Stan - anyone can ask to see your passport. It is an official ID and proves you are legally in the country. I have been asked for id when using a credit card, had to show a passport to get a discount admission, etc. Some travelers seem to harbor the idea that the passport is a secret doc. It is just an official id.
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
I always take photocopies of my passport before I leave. Several go with me, and I've offered these to hotel desks, and they're usually happy to take the copy. ALWAYS leave a copy
home with a relative/trusted friend just in case you should lose yours. I put a copy in my luggage also, just in case my luggage should not make it with me, and it might help get my luggage returned to me quickly! I may be extremely cautious, but I know of a group of 6 tourists who had the rental car broken in, and all of the "carry on luggage" stolen, which included everyone's passports, and it was a mess at the embassy trying to get them reproduced when none of them had left a copy at home or even knew the official passport numbers. JMO
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23311 posts
No, the first question is - why would anyone be stupid enough to leave valuable items in a parked car. I don't even do that in the US.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
Read your local police report Frank, you'd be amazed at what people leave in unlocked cars even. That kind of careless attitude isn't left at the border and is what allows theives and pickpockets to thrive in Europe.
Posted by
Middleboro, Ma, USA
15 posts
If a hotel holds your passport, can you go out sightseeing without it?
Posted by
Boulder, CO, USA
719 posts
To David: Yes, they'll hold it quite often. I usually drop it off, go to my room, get what I need for the day, then head back to lobby, pick up my passport, then be on my way. Never had a problem. To Greg: Of course you can. I've never been asked for my passport while sightseeing.
I do always carry a photocopy of my passport with me in my moneybelt (separate from my actual passport) as a precaution, but thankfully, I've never needed it.