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Milan Airbnb Question

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We are going to Italy March 17-March 29. Family of 4. We had 4 Airbnb’s booked (Bellagio, Venice, Florence and Rome). First time traveling to Europe.

We just changed our Bellagio Airbnb to Milan and will now do a day trip to Varenna/Bellagio.

After booking our Milan Airbnb, the host reached out immediately (which was nice). They gave us a link to a check in program called “Vickey.” They explained,

“ Your Host has chosen Vikey to manage your check-in:

This is to be completed prior to your arrival at your accommodation. For details regarding check-in procedures please contact your host.

In order to complete the online check-in please click on the link below and follow instructions (this will only take a couple of minutes during which you will be asked to fill in some information for your Host):

Please bear in mind that check-in completion is required by law.

We wish you a safe journey and a fantastic vacation! Should you have any other question please don't hesitate to contact your Host.”

When I started going through the link, it asks for name, DOB, passport info and pictures of front and back of passport and a picture of each person holding passport.

When I asked if I had to take pictures of my minor children, they said,

“The sensitive data entered will be transmitted to the state police to approve your stay.
Don't worry, the data is displayed by (host name) and the state police are not disclosed, it is only the requested process 😊”

The place does have 97 reviews and a 4.9 rating. I’m sure it’s fine, but I thought why not ask the board.

Any thoughts?

Posted by
1524 posts

We had to do this for the first time for an airbnb in Rome earlier this month. My thoughts are that it is kind of a pain in the butt, especially the taking photos of everybody with their passports. A convenience for the host, which they must have to pay for and pass the fee on to us. It is far more usual for the host to photograph just the guests’ passports on arrival or to ask guests to email or whatsapp or message through airbnb the photos of passports. But it is legit, and if you really want that particular apartment, go ahead.

Posted by
1635 posts

A photo of the person holding the passport looks a bit redundant, but all other things are required by law and must notified to police within 24 hours from the guest arrival.

Posted by
107 posts

I used Vikey twice for check in in a Milano apartment, and it was very smooth. The payment of the tourist tax was also handled by them (3€/day in my case): However, I did not have to send them photos, just passport number. Maybe because I have a European Union nationality.
Have a nice time in Milano, one of my favourite cities.

Posted by
33452 posts

I have sent passport info multiple times but never had to send photos of all the family including munchkins. I might not be happy with that.

Sure doesn't sound the personal touch I used to experience with airbnb.

Posted by
139 posts

When we stayed in AirBNBs in Milan and Florence in April 2022, we had to send names, DOB, and pictures of our passport page so they could register our stay. We didn't need pictures of us holding our passports though.

Posted by
1098 posts

We had to do this for our apartment in Positano we rented through booking.com last year. They also used Vickey. I think another one used Vickey as well but didn't require the pictures of us holding our passport. They definitely all checked and usually make a picture of our passports though - seven or eight different bookings in as many cities.

Posted by
27616 posts

More and more places are doing remote check-in, which is probably a factor here. Even if check-in isn't remote, there's an issue if there's no photocopier at the rental property for the host/rental agent to use. That sort of situation opens up the possibility that the return of the passports to the guests will be overlooked, possibly leading to an issue. I barely avoided that problem on a trip to Bulgaria in 2015. I was saved because the host himself realized he still had my passport and chased me down at the local bus station.

Posted by
107 posts

Just adding that the apartment using Vikey in Milano (see my previous comment) has a remote check-in. I booked the apartment via booking.com, not AirBnB.

Posted by
267 posts

I would do it with only the adults. Skip the children, for security sake.

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