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Rental company asking for passport number etc.

We are leaving in 2 weeks for Amsterdam and are renting a place through CityDen. As part of the check in process they want me to give my passport number and birthdate through their "secure" website. I know when you arrive in Europe you often give your passport to the hotel which I've been uncomfortable with too but I get that that's done in lots of places. Is it common to enter your passport number in to a website, do you think? I'm just so paranoid about putting too much personal information online.

Posted by
23268 posts

A passport number only has name and number and therefore far less value than a driver's license or even a credit card. It is not that big a deal. I would not worry about it. If this is paranoid causing, you are in for a rough trip. This is low on the list of things to worry about.

Posted by
8059 posts

totally standard; many require a copy. They will have to register your passport with the police in most countries, not sure about the Netherlands on that, but it is standard. Would you rent your place to a foreigner without good ID?

Posted by
20094 posts

Did you give them your credit card number when you booked? Now that is a piece of personal information I'd be more concerned about. Passport number is of no value to anyone on the dark web.

Posted by
8889 posts

Your passport is your ID. Giving out the number and expiry date is normal. It is of no value to criminals (unlike your credit card number).

  • It is a legal requirement in The Schengen Area for hotels to record passport details of all foreign guests.
  • It is a legal requirement for air flights to many countries (US, Schengen Area, UK etc.) for the airlines to hand over passport details of all passengers before takeoff. You will have to give your passport details (usually on the airline's website) before they will give you a boarding card.
Posted by
2304 posts

Just got back from our vacation in venice paris and amsterdam. Was asked for passports ot driver's license at all three. No t big deal. I'm wondering how was your place you rented in amsterdam with cityden?
Thanks