Hi,
A lot of places require identification in Italy. Does this mean that I have to walk around carrying my passport or can I carry other official Identification with my picture on it?
Is identification needed in all museums only or even in shops or restaraunts?
I am a little nervous - walking around with my passport is a little scary. I would rather keep it in the Hotel and carry another form of Identification.
Thanks a lot,
Pal
Legally in most Euro countries you are required to always have ID with you. I carry my US drivers license or my IDP - I never carry my passport. I've used either for ID, most often asked when I use a credit card to make a purchase. You do not need to carry your passport with you, just have some form of ID and you'll be okay!
Ciao,
Ron
Ron is right, you are required to carry some form of ID. Italians are big on photocopies, so you could cary your drivers license as ID, and if pressed produce a photocopy of your passport. I agree with leaving the actual passport in the hotel.
The only time I can think of that it would be required is for the EU discounts. My kids and I are dual citizens (American and German), and they are admitted free to a lot of museums in Italy. So, they'll need to carry their EU passports with them some days. They each have money belts, so they'll have their EU passports in those.
You'll need your Passport to register in Hotels and to use Internet Cafes, but a Driver's license or equivalent should be satisfactory ID while walking about. You'll also need to leave some form of ID if you rent Audioguides at Museums. I normally use my D.L. for that, as it's more "expendable" than my Passport.
I'm not comfortable leaving my Passport at the Hotel, so normally carry it in a Money Belt as Rick suggests.
Happy travels!
Keep it in your moneybelt. You probably won't need it but you will ALWAYS know it's with you. My husband and I wear our money belts like another piece of our clothing and never have to wonder.
I leave my PP in hotel safe, its always been fine. I take my DL with me, but paranoia is creeping in from reading all these posts by people who insist they must have their PP with them( or what get thrown in pirson?) , so I may consider bringing a copy of my PP with me this time around. I am still leaving original in hotel safe though,I personally believe it is safest there. Has been for last 25 years of travel anyways.
I do not make expensive purchases, but, if you are a shopper I understand sometimes one is required to show it in some countries to fill in tax return forms. I have no idea if a copy works for that or not.
Pal, I keep my passport in my hotel safe. I take my drivers license with me. I exchange it as "deposit" for such things as museum audio guides, etc.
I too am in the "Leave the passport in the hotel safe" and carry a copy and my US drivers license group.
