Do I need to carry my passport at all times in Paris?

Carrying your passport while traveling through France is all about preference. Some people like having their passports with them, while others prefer leaving them in a safe at the hotel.



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All foreign visitors, including European Union (EU) nationals, must carry identification in the form of a passport or national identity card. French police may require visitors to show identification at any time, including when entering or leaving the country.

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U.S. citizens on tourist status should thus have a valid passport, as the French officers do not recognize other identification documents. And in rare cases, those on visa status must present their visa documentation alongside their passports.

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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.

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Although your passport is required as an ID when travelling abroad, you don't really need to carry it around with you everywhere. Consider moving around the city with your driver's license instead, and leave your passport behind in the hotel safe.

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Many European hotels check your passport in addition to asking for a credit card for incidentals. In most cases, you only need to show your passport at check in, or, rarely, leave it overnight.

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It's probably a choice between the risk that you might lose it if you take it everywhere and the risk that someone with access to your room is interested in stealing passports. If your hotel has a safe, perhaps leave it with them and get a receipt.

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Leave Your Passport at the Hotel Although your passport is required as an ID when travelling abroad, you don't really need to carry it around with you everywhere. Consider moving around the city with your driver's license instead, and leave your passport behind in the hotel safe.

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Carry Your Passport on Your Person Only if Needed
If you carry it in your purse or travel bag, keep it zipped up in an internal pocket within your bag. Don't carry it loosely in your bag where a pickpocket's hand can gain quick access to it. Never keep your passport in your back pocket.

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So, should you carry your passport with you in France? Yes, and no. French laws require that citizens and foreigners have valid identification documents when moving around. Moreover, they may also require evidence of legal status, which law officers can request at any time.

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It is mostly true that you need to carry some form of official ID on you at all times while out and about in France - and this applies to residents and visitors.

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Documents for Driving in France
  • A valid full (not provisional) driving licence.
  • A vehicle registration document (V5c) - the original not a copy, called carte grise (grey card) in France.
  • A motor insurance certificate.
  • Passport(s)


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French law states you must always carry some official form of ID on your person. Official means recognized by the French authorities. That typically means a passport or a National Identity Card. That is the law.

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Mobile Passport Control (MPC) allows eligible travelers to submit their travel document, photo, and customs declaration information through a free, secure app on their smartphone or other mobile device.

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How to Keep your passport safe at your hotel or Airbnb. To keep your passport safe, lock it up at your hotel. Use your best judgement based on the activities you'll be doing each day. If you leave your passport behind, lock it in a room safe or in the lockable compartment of your bag.

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You want a copy of all your identification – one for each checked bag. Keep a hard copy of your documents in your carry-on and each checked bag of luggage with which you are traveling, in case any of them go missing during the trip. These copies can help you in multiple situations.

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Paris is generally safe at night, however, it is important to take the same precautions as you would in any other major city. It is best to avoid walking alone in unfamiliar areas, especially at night, and to be aware of your surroundings.

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Never keep your passport in your back pocket. That pocket is called the “sucker pocket” for a reason. The very best way to keep your passport safe is to carry it on your person in an anti-theft pouch or money belt that is hidden under your clothes. Here is a selection of anti-theft money belts and wallets.

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It is best that you leave it at the hotel`s safety deposit box rather than inside your room`s safe. If your hotel doesn`t have one, then you can keep it inside your hotel room. Look for a place in your hotel room where people wouldn`t think that it would be there, like under the TV or at the edge of the carpet.

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The U.S. passport book and U.S. passport card are both accepted as ID for domestic flights. You may not have heard about the U.S. passport card before. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel, but it is still a great ID to have in your wallet.

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