Passports while out and about

My passport is always with me (more safe than in a hotel safe) as I'm out and about, 100% secure in my money-belt-secret-wallet-thingamajig (impossible to lose or to have stolen without getting both very intimate with the would-be thief and simultaneously having a fight). I've never been asked for ID when purchasing alcohol, but I have enough gray hair to make that unnecessary.
I have a printed copy of the passport along with other important documents in my luggage, and electronic copies on my iPad, on a USB thumbdrive, and on cloud storage. That pretty much covers it.

I've never tried to use a photocopy of my passport for anything and I doubt it would be accepted. I carry my driver's license for photo ID and that's always been sufficient.

Actually, not many know that in Spain -as it is in many EU countries- carrying a "valid" form of ID (National ID Card, or passport, and if you're European, also a driving license) at ALL times is COMPULSORY by law. Should you be asked to identify yourself by the police and you don't carry it, you're liable to a small fine and most probably taken to the police station until someone can bring you a proper ID so you can be identified. A photocopy is not a valid form of ID. Also, some museums/attractions will require a valid form of ID if you're claiming any reduction, same goes with claiming back VAT on your purchases if you're not from any EU country. Needless to say for the spring-chickens that an ID might be asked to get into certain nightclubs too. And lastly, if you're on a business trip, many companies will require you to show a valid ID in reception to get into the premises.

Having said that, unless you look like this AND are causing trouble, I doubt the police would stop you (or any local for that matter) unless a serious incident has happened nearby and everybody is being identified. Anyhow, if you look like that you can always try to soften it a bit... like so, lol!

This is a perpetual question with no definite answer other than personal preference. Some argue for everything in the hotel safe and others for everything in the money belt with a few in between. Some are paranoid about carrying a passport. Personally I always carry the passport because it is the only thing that proves you are legally in the country. A copy proves nothing. In 20+ years of travel, we have been stopped twice unexpectedly by local authorities and asked for an id. Maybe a copy might have worked but there was no question about passports.

I think we will carry our passports with us, since having no ID on us may be worse. I don't like the idea of leaving our passports in the hotel, in a safe or not, because anything could happen, and then we would be left with no ID.

Thanks everyone!

yes well I have been "breaking the law" for last 45 years and had no problem.. and I feel my passport is safe in the safe.. but then perhaps I have just been lucky.

I have never been asked for ID for anything, other then when collecting train tickets at stations, or when checking into hotels. I have been asked for my pp when renting an audio guide at museums. but they have always happily accepted my much more easily replaced DL.

And btw.. a passport does not prove you are in the country legally. Its just legal identification. There is a difference.

Hi Pat, indeed it's not a matter of 'being legally' in the country, but a matter of being who you say you are. These day and age with the increased danger of terrorism all over the globe, on-the-spot checks in Barcelona or Madrid for example are not as rare as they used to be. Say there's been an incident, or simply that the Police is on alert, you can be asked to identify yourself right there right then and if you don't carry a proper ID ('proper' as defined in the Spanish law of course) then you can be taken to the Police station for ID -and maybe a fine too. Note though that unless you're considered to be dangerous you're not going to be humiliated and handcuffed for transportation, like in the US (or other countries around the world). Having said that, it's still rare -unless you really look you could be endangering the public and/or that you're trafficking drugs.

A passport will be required when using your debit or credit card if your photo is not on the card as well....at least that has been my experience. I carry mine with me as a matter of habit in my pocket on my sport coat, or in my pants pocket where I can check it from time to time. I keep a photocopy in my room as well...some say not to do this, but I think it would make it easier to replace if needed.

This is valuable information, thank you! I too have always locked up my passport in hotel. I do carry my Driver's License with me ... I will consider carrying my passport. The thought of losing it is terrifying... But I can say I have been blessed in my travels so far with never an incident.

Some thoughts:

1.) You need a valid form of "official" ID --no library cards or similar :))-- when using a credit card so you can prove it's really yours. Some shops will require it when using the card. It doesn't necessarily have to be the passport albeit some major chains do accept only passports for non-EU citizens (ie Carrefour)

2.) In many countries in Europe, including Spain, you need to carry a legal form of ID with you AT ALL TIMES. Legal forms of ID are: driver license, national ID or passport (no photocopies!). Failing to do so, should you be stopped and asked to provide one by the Police, might carry the issuing of a small fine and even being taken to the police station until you can prove who you are.

3.) Since you're visiting a Western democracy, loosing your passport might give you some headaches with your embassy and might alter your travel plans... but doesn't put you in any danger whatsoever. It's just bureaucracy.

4.) Despite 2.), unless you happen to be caught in the middle of a serious incident (drug bust, terrorism raid, etc) or a street brawl, it's rare that the Police would ask you to identify yourself. So, if you feel uncomfortable carrying your passport with you, at the very least carry a photocopy just in case there's an scenario in which you need to be identified (ie. you suffer an accident). Also, if you are purchasing with a credit card and are requested an ID you can 'try' with a photocopy... the shop assistant might accept it... or not.

We came back from Spain a couple of weeks ago, and had no issues whatsoever! We carried out passports with us in a larger sized zip wallet with our day's spending and credit cards, and were cautious throughout. No one bothered us or seemed to even notice haha! Spain was wonderful, by the way! I can't wait to go back!!

In 10 years of visiting Europe, I have never been asked to show an ID of any kind except when checking into a hotel that was not part of a RS tour. I do always carry my passport in a sandwich size zip lock baggie in my money belt at all times. I also have a full color copy of the picture page of my passport I carry in my pocket and I will try that if asked. I never bring my driver license with me to Europe because I have no plans on driving there and I doubt it would be much use for anything else.

At one grocery in Paris, one of the tour members was asked for an ID when purchasing about 150 E of wine and snacks with a credit card for an impromptu party. Only reason was probably the amount of the purchase and it was not a CHIP card. I have never seen anyone asked to show ID for credit card purchases anywhere else including the Italy tour I just completed where several tour members bought large amounts (over 500 E per purchase) of items on their credit cards.

A few years ago, while in Madrid, I was stopped by the police (la guardia civil?) and asked my identity. I did not have my passport on me, but I had my drivers license. The officer informed me that I'd need to carry my passport with me while I was out and about, and he let us go on our way. Another time I was surprised that I was asked for my passport when buying a sim card for my phone. Personally, I've found that unless I'm going to the beach, I like to have my passport with me, just in case of a situation I didn't anticipate.

Like Mark, I have never been asked to show ID outside of booking transportation, renting a car or checking into lodging.

I carry my passport because it's your only form of valid ID while you are in Europe. Your immigration stamp also proves you are in the country legally, which is getting to be an ever larger issue. Your driver's license isn't valid ID from their perspective and neither is a photocopy of your passport.

That said, if you didn't have it with you, you're not likely to go straight to jail but you are supposed to be able to provide it when it's requested by law enforcement.

Last time I check, which was maybe a year ago, the US State Department recommended leaving one's passport in the hotel safe because of the increased risk of theft in parts of Spain.

US State Dept guidance is not Spanish Law and it's pretty useless when in a different jurisprudence... so, while it's obviously to each one of you to decide what to do... I already explained above what the Spanish Law says regarding personal ID, so now you know.

I have never been required to show my passport with any credit card purchase. I have often been asked for an id and I show my US Drivers License. With the chip/pin even the request is now rare

I have been stopped by Italian authorities who seemed fine with my passport copy and drivers license. I realize that is not Spain, but I think I will keep taking my chances. (I have also had every store I asked accept the copy of the photo page of my passport for tax forms.)

I agree it's really a personal "risk" decision. In Spain and France I feel ok leaving the passport in the hotel safe, but would never have done that in Russia for example.

Passport photocopy is always good to have , in cases that gets stolen or lost, you need to prove who you are as if it stolen you have to travel back home, so for that you have to go to your embassy and request either a new passport or something to travel back and a photocopy of your ID's does help the process

Passport photocopy is always good to have , in cases that gets stolen or lost, you need to prove who you are as if it stolen you have to travel back home, so for that you have to go to your embassy and request either a new passport or something to travel back and a photocopy of your ID's does help the process

Not really. If your passport is lost or stolen, it doesn't really matter if you have a copy or not. You'll still go through the same process at the embassy. It might make it slightly easier for the person at the embassy, but a copy has no legal value.

I typically leave my passport in the hotel in a secure place. In 20+ years of traveling in Europe I've never been asked for it for any reason other than checking into a hotel or of course going through some kind of border or airport. I might be a little more careful in certain countries with more militaristic tendencies, but not necessary in the EU.

I've never been asked for ID to use a credit card. The bigger problem in many areas is that they just don't take credit cards or up until recently I didn't have chip and pin.

When I do carry the passport, it stays on my person and I don't leave it in backpacks, jackets etc.. Too easy to loose those. I always have an online copy that I can access from a gmail or yahoo email account if I were to lose the passport. I've never had any problem but I was with a friend once and hers was stolen. Having a copy available makes the process of getting a replacement much easier. And yes I usually have a photocopy that I leave in my luggage.

Everyone here has their own preference on that question, and the decision seems to be split about 50/50 between those who keep their Passports with them and those that leave them in the hotel.

I always prefer to keep my Passport with me, and it's always in my Money Belt unless I need it for hotel check-in or whatever. Having a Passport lost or stolen while on holidays is going to be a major headache, especially if there's no Embassy in the city I happen to be in.

It occurred to me that given the recent events in Paris, having some form of I.D. readily available is probably a good idea. Depending on the situation, streets could be blocked off which could prevent travellers from getting back to their lodgings to retrieve important documents. This is one reason I always like to keep my Passport with me (not so much in reference to the current situation, but there could also be a fire at the hotel or whatever that makes it impossible to access my Passport).

The Paris situation is exactly why I always carry my passport. Would a copy of your passport work? a driver's license, Who knows??? Why take a chance? I always have it.