Hand Over Passport?
 

What is the procedure while checking into European hotels? Do they want to keep your passport? Please advise as the thought of handing it over to anyone makes me nervous!

some do, some don't. those that do often return them later that day (they copy info or something for government regs). before you leave on your trip, make a photocopy of the first pages and keep that with you. don't worry, it's all legit (even if it is scary).

When I've checked into hotels in Italy, they always ask for my passport, usually returning it later that day or the next. Assume they copy down info for their records. It's always been returned & never had a problem. <BR>However, Elvira had suggested it's a good idea to make a photocopy of the first couple pages --- if you do lose it or it gets stolen, misplaced, etc. then it's must easy when you have all that info handy. Also, as a back-up you may want to leave a copy of it with someone back home (as well as your credit card nos.)

On my last two trips the hotels did not ask for my passport. We stayed in numerous hotels in France and Greece. I was quite surprised. In 1992 I stayed at a small hotel on Skiathos, a small Greek island, and had difficulty getting my passport back from the hotel manager. I could not figure out why, and I had to get demanding even after she kept it for over 24 hours.

i'm curious what type of hotels you are staying at where they hold on to your passport? the only time this is happened to me was when i stayed at youth hostels when i was in college. i've never left my passport with hotel staff, except for the few minutes it takes to check in. this goes from mid range hotels to the ritz.

I have stayed in some very good hotels in Italy that kept my passport for a few hours, especially if they were particularly busy. There was a law in Italy that required that a hotel report information on foreigners staying in hotels; I assume that is still true.

We have been asked for our passports on some greek islands. They've said that it is a legal requirement, all tourists need to be registered with the local police. We have got them back in a couple of days.

All the hotels throughout Tuscany (last Oct/Nov) required us to leave our passports at the front desk. We would ask for them if we went out for the evening or as we checked out.

Handing over a passport is standard, getting it back quickly is not. <BR>Passport registration was a vital part of the plot in "Day Of The Jackal"!

Rita: On I don't know how many trips, for pleasure throughout Europe, even while living there and on business in South America, I don't leave my passport with anyone. I have been asked to "leave it" on only a few occasions, but have responded with: "If you need it, fine, do whatever and I want it back before I walk away from the desk". All have complied, even though they were not all that happy. <BR> <BR>The only agency that can legally keep your passport is the country that issued it. While working in Germany as a defense contractor, it was drilled into us to never leave our passports or ID cards with anyone. They are presented to customs, airlines and as identification, but once presented, should be returned to the owner. If they want to keep my passport, they damn well have a better reason than "it's our policy".

My understanding from previous posts on this forum is that Italian hotels are required to register guest passport info with the local police. I've never not been asked for my passport in Italy. <BR>

Brian is correct - the law in Italy is that all foreigners must be registered with the police, who require the details printed in your passport. I too have never not been asked to leave my passport in Italy. However, if you're nervous about this, just ask them to photocopy the information page, so they can fill out the form (I presume that what they're doing) later on at their convenience. I've never had any trouble leaving my passport. I also agree with Elvira's suggestion that you have at least one photocopy of your passport's first few pages in your possession, kept separately from the passport. Those two lines at the bottom of the page with the picture are actually a long key used to look you up in their database. If you loose your passport, or it's stolen, and they have the key, your records can be located quickly, and this will help to get your passport replaced.

The hotel we stayed at in Budapest asked for our passports. We watched them place them in a safe... But I was edgy all day and I couldn't wait to get back and get my passport... I do have photo copy though. I mean I am sure this is a foolish belief, but I feel like my American Passport is the only thing that stands between me and some kind of horrible mixup.

Rita, I'll repeat what I heard in response to a similar question on the board. If it makes you edgy, you can always travel with a few copies of your passport. You can just give the hotel the copy and keep the original.

Today I heard from my daughter who is in Corfu, Greece. She and her friend handed over their passports at a hostel there as did all of the other guests. Last night someone broke into the drawer where they were kept (office was NOT locked and she didn't know if the drawer was locked) and stole 10 passports! The fact that she travels with a copy of the passport doesn't really help much. They still must travel to Athens to obtain a temporary passport. This means an overnight bus trip that adds approximately 100 Euros to her trip and interferes with subsequent travel plans. Transportation in Greece is not easy. It is a major hassle. It may be required by the government that passport information be recorded and giving a photocopy to the hotel or hostel clerk as Cindy suggests gives the required information. A copy of the passport does the passport holder no good when it comes to travel. Either an original or an official temporary passport issued by the embassy will be required. From what I gather, some hoteliers and hostel owners demand the passport as assurance that they will not be stiffed. In that case, a copy may help but it will still be a hassle for them to track down the passport holder. If they have the real thing, they can use it as leverage to get paid. In that case, offer to pay up front or take your business elsewhere. But in the end, it is up to the passport holder to protect their passport. NO ONE will guard it as well as the owner!

This is unfortunate!

In Venice I said I don't want to leave my passport, opened it, put a copy on the counter, said: this is a copy of my passport, I don't need it back. It worked. Don't know if it works in other places in Europe.

Dayenu, I dare say they would have just copied yours anyway so you saved them some trouble. They never kept ours more than a day.

It's a lot easier to keep track of "aliens" in a country smaller than some of U.S. states! Computer makes it even easier.

Doolin, that's just terrible. I'm so sorry for your daughter. I had friends robbed in Spain and they had to go through the same thing.

Hotels do not take your passport to be sure that they will not be stiffed. They do it because they are required to report the information to the local police. Fewer countries require this than in the past because regulations have changed and because they have other ways of keeping up with you, but it is still a legal requirement in some places.

You realize, of course, that this post is waaaay old

Hotels are not required to TAKE your passport in order to get the information... they can simply copy the name & number for the authorities, and hand it back to you. The chief reason they say they need to TAKE and hold them --- and I'm surprised that seasoned travelers have not mentioned it -- is that they want to be assured you will not run out on your bill!! Remember the 70s, folks? Hitchhiking, beach-sleeping, bill-jumping?? Lots of backpackers traveling on the cheap thought nothing of sleeping & running! Too many small family hotels got burned; so they keep your passport to be sure you will pay before leaving!

Do you doubt me? Then simply pay up for your first night as you register (after you take a quick look at your assigned room, of course), and then, when you hand over your passport just say, please copy the number and give it back; I'll wait. I guarantee you will not have a problem.