Can hotels ask for your passport?

They have no legal right to hold your passport as a means of ensuring payment—–highly illegal if they do. They should take a credit card imprint or a deposit but passports no. A copy is a good idea and also as another poster said use the copy when you leave the hotels and go out and about.

Do hotels in Italy keep your passport?

In Italy, the hotels are required to register guests with the local authorities, which they do via your passport information. They will collect your passport when you check in, sometimes keeping it for 24 hours before returning it to you.

Why do hotels take copies of passports?

These hotels keep a record of passports to cross check for wanted criminals, look for missing persons, or protect against identity thieves. If a hotel asks for your passport, it’s most likely that it is required for you to hand it over. If you refuse, hotels can turn you away.

Do I need to keep my passport on me at all times in Italy?

Italy’s Passport Policies Italy requires you to carry official I.D. with you, and a driver’s license from another country doesn’t count. This means that, in Italy, even though you’re unlikely to be checked, you must have your passport with you at all times.

Why do hotels in Italy take your passport?

It is part of the way things are done in Italy. The hotel has to report your details to the police. If the front desk is busy, they will want to hold the passport for a short time until they can take the details.

Why do hotels require an ID?

It helps prevent fraud and identity misuse. It ensures age verification of whoever is renting the room (some hotels [or hotel chains] have a policy of not renting to someone under a specific age). This also ensures said guests are not allowed to rent rooms from that hotel/chain anymore if deemed necessary.

What do hotels do with passport information?

But Herold said hotels themselves may want ID information, too. With passports or other government IDs, hotels can always track down visitors, so they can collect payment on outstanding charges. They may want to run background checks to prohibit certain people from staying with them.

Do you need to carry your passport in Europe?

In general, across Europe, you should carry either your passport or a copy of it. You are required by law to have a valid form of identification. You’ll also need to show your passport when renting a car, in addition to your drivers license.

Can I carry a copy of my passport in Italy?

Yes, it is law to carry original passport (not a printed copy) on your person when traveling in Italy (keep copy in hotel room safe). If you keep your valuables and devices secure, you should not loose anything to a pickpocket attempt.

Do hotels keep records of guests?

Hotels have always kept logs on their guests, tracking previous stays, comments and complaints, even which pay-per-view movies you ordered.

Does the person who booked the hotel have to check in?

Every hotel by law needs to maintain a guest register. It does not matter who has paid for the booking, you should have a booking as a guest. When you check-in they will ask for an identity proof to ensure that you are indeed the person who has booked the room.