We are renting an apartment in Florence in April. The owner has requested that I e-mail him a copy of my passport. I have rented before and never been asked to supply this info. Is this usual?
Posted by
Toronto, Canada
415 posts
In Italy, hotels, B and Bs and people renting apartments are supposed to have copies of the passport of each person staying in the place. In fact, I was helping a friend check in to a hotel in Florence and I was told that if i stayed in the room for more than a few minutes I needed to show my passport to the front desk as it is a requirement for hotels to know who is in their rooms! I haven't been asked for a copy in advance. I have had to supply a photocopy upon arrival for the majority of the apartments I've rented in Italy. I would ask the owner if it is ok to just bring a photocopy of the passport that you will give him on arrival. Owners who are renting legally will need a copy of the passport and will also have a government form to fill in.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2369 posts
My son was trying to help my sister to take luggage to her hotel room in Rome as we were in another hotel. He could not even get past front desk without giving copy of passport. I assume apartment rental agency has same restrictions.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
Maybe the owner/manager is trying to save time by having the police registration forms ready for you to sign when you get there? This last year, on every one of our four trips, we each had to sign and verify the details on individual registration forms. This had not happened previously, we just left our passports at reception and picked them up later.
Posted by
Bergamo, Italy
118 posts
About the rent of houses or apartments to people who are not resident in the European Union there is a legislation that requires the owners to notify authorities of Public Security the names of tenants with copies of identity documents. However, this can be done within 24 hours after arrival.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23301 posts
Common in Italy. Nothing to worry about. Your passport has less information on it than a credit card or many driver licenses.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
There is no harm that can come to you for supplying a passport photocopy. Most Italian hotels and lodgings make the copy on your arrival, this owner is just trying to get ahead or may not have a copy machine.
Posted by
Fullerton, CA, USA
10 posts
We've had to leave our passports at hotel reception upon check-in in every Italian Hotel we've stayed in. I agree, better to supply it beforehand to save time/confusion. I know I don't like ''leaving it at reception'' until they get around to photocopying it, worrying about possibly forgetting to pick it up before departure.