Do you have to give your passport to hotels in Europe?

In the European Union, member states are technically required to validate your identity through your passport upon check-in. In the United Kingdom, a law established a half century ago requires hotels to record the name and nationality of every guest over the age of 16, and to retain that information for a year.



In 2026, it is a standard and often legal requirement to present your passport to hotels in Europe upon check-in. Many European nations (such as Italy, Spain, and Greece) have laws requiring hospitality providers to register all international guests with the local police or government authorities for security and taxation purposes. While the hotel staff will likely take a photocopy or scan of your passport's information page, they are not legally allowed to keep your physical passport once the registration is complete. You should always ask for your passport back immediately after they have recorded the necessary details. With the full implementation of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) in 2026, much of this data is becoming digitized, but physical passport verification remains the primary way for hotels to confirm your identity and legal entry status. If a hotel insists on holding your passport as "collateral" for the room bill, you should politely refuse and offer a credit card deposit instead.

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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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You cannot travel to Europe because you will not pass immigration or airline checks. Moreover, when you get to Europe, you will still need your passport as it is your identification document. You can use it to book hotels, get local SIM cards, prove your identity to the authorities, and move from one region to another.

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While overseas, carry copies of your passport ID page and foreign visa with you at all times. If your passport is lost or stolen, report it immediately to the nearest embassy or consulate, or at 1-877-487-2778. Learn about travel regulations, local laws, and customs for your destination at travel.state.gov.

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Copies of All Identification Documents 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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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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Many countries have laws requiring foreign visitors to register with the local police. By taking your passports the hotels are doing this for you (and it's not their decision - it's the law - they have no choice).

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The front desk of a hotel is called Reception, and this is where you will officially check-in. Have your identification, reservation confirmation, and form of payment (preferably a credit card with lots of room on it) at hand. This can include your driver license, passport, and one or more credit cards.

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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.

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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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No, you can't use a photo of your passport to travel. However, having a photo handy can make it easier to replace your passport if it's lost. Snap a quick shot of the inside, so you can see your passport number and other info. And remember: in case of lost or stolen documents, call 24-Hour Hotline Assistance for help.

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Generally, checking into a hotel without an ID is not recommended and is often not possible. Most hotels require a form of government-issued identification, like a driver's license or passport, for security reasons and to verify the person's identity who is checking into the room.

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Security Reasons One of the primary reasons hotels require ID at check-in is to ensure the safety and security of their guests. By verifying your identity, hotels can better protect their guests from potential risks and maintain a secure environment.

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Most hotels require two forms of identification for each person staying in the room. This is to ensure that all guests are accounted for and that the hotel can contact them if necessary.

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Can a hotel tell me if someone is staying there? No, a hotel cannot tell you if someone is staying there. This information is confidential and protected by the privacy laws of the country in which it operates.

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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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Leave your passport at the hotel. According to the US Department of State, one of the safest things you can do is secure your passport under lock and key at home or your hotel as you would with any other valuable.

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Passports, medical directives, the only copies of wills and powers of attorney, and other documents that you may suddenly need are better kept in a secure spot at home, such as a fireproof home safe that's bolted to the floor or wall.

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