Hello all, we are renting an apartment in Barcelona and I was wondering if it is customary for the person that is the 'landlord' to request our passport numbers for the 'authorities'?

Thanks in advance,
Terri

Yes! They need to know who you are. It's the same as checking into a hotel.

If you are paranoid like I am, just give some wrong numbers and if they check say that you got them wrong.

I don't want to give such info to 'anybody'...
However yes, some hotels have print copies of my ID card.

I would not send a copy per mail though. Heard horror stories about people doing it...

Thanks to you both

... Whathello, by mail are you referring to snail mail or email?

In fact, I think a lot of countries have laws about that, the hotels are supposed to do that, and so are legal apartments. Including France. Why would you object?

I have never had anyone ask for my passport info. I have spent up to a year abroad and just wanted to see if the request was commonplace is all. I am cautious when sharing such information with someone I don't know.

Hotels and legal rentals in most places in the world are required to gather such info so they can register you with the local authorities.

It is not Spanish law to have to ask for passport details until you have arrived at the accommodation.

Besides it not being required, it is unsafe. You never know where the copy ends up. It is also illegal for hotels to take a copy of your passport upon arrival. You can give it to them for them to copy details "we", in the hostelry trade, need to send to the website of the Guardia Civil (Police).

In the end it is you choice if you wish to send the information in advance. I would move on and find another location, I personally would not.

I don't know where you've traveled abroad, but showing your passport (or national ID) when checking into a hotel has been common practice in Europe for decades, and now more important then ever.

I in Paris last month and stayed a week at a hotel. No one asked me at any time to see my passport.

Hi Robert, I am typically a hosteller and my travel was in the South Pacific. (NZ/Australia...)

Very new to the business of European travel and getting up to speed as to what is considered normal.

Thanks to everyone for weighing in

LYING is NEVER considered "normal."

Hi

In Paris I have hardly shown my ID or passport in any 2 stars, and not often with 3 stars.
Albeit it is increasing since the attacks.

In Spain I show my ID at hotel reception together with my credit card actually. Don't know if small hotels are not bothering, I usually stay in at least 3 stars but usually more in Spain.

I have NEVER shown/given info regarding pasport or ID BEFORE arriving at the hotel or apartment.
However it is a good sign that they ask, it seems to mean they comply with the law - if they don't ask and ask for cash you know they will not declare it.

And never ever send it by mail, be it snail mail or email - a friend of mine had his info used to rent an apartment somewhere - he was the one who had the problems after the crook had given my friend's name and copy of his ID !

Very good, I have requested that we wait until our arrival to give over the information that he needs to be compliant. I appreciate the guidance from everyone that has replied.

Happy travels !

As a follow up he was good with putting off the exchange of information until our arrival at the flat.

Thanks again everyone.

Never been asked for Passport details in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Luxembourg. So I have to disagree with the statement that all of Europe asks for the PP details when checking in.

ribeirasacra: Italy - really? I have (without fail) had to give over my passport when checking in - every time. IME more hit and miss other places -- but in Italy every single time.

They do it in Italy to have the contact details of lovely women. Ribeirasacra is probably a man