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-   -   Identity cards in Spain (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/identity-cards-in-spain-1667476/)

sayohm May 24th, 2019 08:36 PM

Identity cards in Spain
 
Do we need to show passports or driver's license as ID cards when entering museums and Cathedrals in Spain? Would a photocopy of the passport work instead of the real document?

Thanks

Traveler_Nick May 24th, 2019 08:52 PM

Assuming you are paying full price not in my experience. OTOH I think Spain requires you to travel with ID.

vinonobile987 May 25th, 2019 05:08 AM

We were never asked to show our IDs when entering museums and Cathedrals in Spain. I vaguely remember that it was required somewhere in Spain for the audio guide rental. I think it was either in Salamanca Cathedral or Avila Cathedral.

StCirq May 25th, 2019 05:30 AM

To enter museums or cathedrales, no, but the law is you must carry ID with you. vinonobile is probably right - if you want to rent a gismo at a museum or elsewhere they'll probably ask for your ID.

Cowboy1968 May 25th, 2019 06:34 AM

Not sure if that is still the case, but some years ago, I had to show ID for credit card purchases in Spain because my credit card had a bug and I could not do real chip + PIN. So you may need to carry your passport with you anyway?

SusanP May 25th, 2019 07:39 AM

I just returned from Spain a couple of weeks ago. At the cathedral in Toledo, you have to leave ID, driver's license or passport, to get the audio guide, which is included in the entry price. You get it back when you turn the audio guide back in. You get the ticket across the street from the entrance.

That was the only place I had to do that, but I think it's also the only place I got the guide.

danon May 25th, 2019 11:35 AM

A few years ago we were asked for ID when visiting Naval Museum in Madrid
( I think there are some gov offices in the l building) . No other museums.

jannie_1947 May 25th, 2019 01:02 PM

NO.
Unless you qualify for a reduction (pensioners, students, children).

Maribel May 25th, 2019 01:12 PM

In certain monuments (Toledo cathedral, Alhambra), when renting the audio guide, you'll be asked to leave an i.d. as collateral until the audio guide is returned.
In museums, if you ask for reduced price admission, like those that jannie mentions, you'll need to show an i.d. as proof of age.

At the Museo Naval in Madrid, you'll need to show your passport or driver's license, as danon states, because the museum is housed in the Spanish Armada's Naval Headquarters.

Christina May 30th, 2019 12:28 PM

Lots of places ask you to leave something of value (ID or credit card) when you rent an audioguide (in any country). In fact, I think every place I've been does that, they need to make sure you return it. I'm surprised that cathedral would not take a credit card, but only something that is ID. They don't care about your ID, really, just want to make sure you come back. I never leave my passport at such places, just makes me nervous if it got misplaced. I leave my driver's license usually.

maitaitom May 30th, 2019 12:36 PM

"NO.
Unless you qualify for a reduction (pensioners ...)."

Damn, they didn't ask me. I must look older than I think (:


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