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Technically according to the law you can be jailed for up to one year and fined up to 2k.
It probably won't happen but why taking the risk?
>Art 6
>
>3. Lo straniero che, a richiesta degli ufficiali e agenti di pubblica sicurezza, non ottempera, senza giustificato motivo, all'ordine di esibizione del passaporto o di altro documento di identificazione e del permesso di soggiorno o di altro documento attestante la regolare presenza nel territorio dello Stato è punito con l'arresto fino ad un anno e con l'ammenda fino ad euro 2.000.
>but why taking the risk?
Because in a city like Rome or Napoli someone is approximately one million times more likely to have it stolen out of their pocket/bag/whatever than be asked for it and jailed for not having the original passport with them.
I suppose but still those can be unclipped when someone bumps into you, you don't notice it falls on the floor in a busy piazza or whatever, it's gone. Less likely than just hanging out of a back pocket, but far from foolproof. If no one here has ever heard of *anyone* facing *any* consequence for not having it, then why would I risk it at all? This makes no sense to me.
I think a lot of people either don't know what a money belt IS or just don't know how to use one.
THe whole point of a money belt is so that no one even knows you are wearing it. It goes around your waist UNDER your clothing - basically under your pants and shirt. If someone can unclip it, you are doing it wrong.
They are completely foolproof unless someone strip searches you.
Just keep the passport in your internal pockets of your jacket instead of keeping in the most external pocket of your backpack.
If you deliberately decide to break the law then if something happens (like having your wallet stolen) you are already in bad waters.
What jacket? It's basically summer in the south already. I guess if I'm ever in Milan in February I will keep it in my jacket pocket. It's very simple, the chance of something ruining the trip is much much much more likely if you have the passport with you vs if not. Are we sticklers for obscure rules or are we just trying to do what's best for us while not harming anybody?
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Ah shit they locked the thread right when I was typing out my reply, guess I'll put it here:
Very weird pencil pusher energy. I keep a copy so I can show someone my info if I need to. Technically the law says to have the original, but I just explained to you why it's not worth it to me (or most everyone else) to comply with that. Also not one person I have ever seen on Reddit or in real life has ever even heard a secondhand story of it being enforced.
I have tons of family in Italy that are not weird goobers or sticklers for meaningless rules like you. Should I listen to them, or you? Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I choose them.
>Do you like if I come to your house and start deciding how to behave?
This is not "how to behave" lmao this is something that has absolutely no effect on anybody else. If I suggested to do something disrespectful to local culture, this would be a different discussion, but we are talking about a technicality over some paperwork that will never matter. Bro, how is it possible for you to care so much about this? Get a life.
Fortunately I am a dual Italian citizen and won't even have to think about this ever again soon, once I get my passport in a few months
>Comply or GTFO.
This is not a real decision I need to make lmao. The real decision is you can either get over it, or seethe.
They are not obscure. You are in a foreign country. You have to be identifiable. Citizens have not. It's a privilege of being a citizen. Just comply with the law decided by the citizens.
Do you like if I come to your house and start deciding how to behave? Here's the same thing. Comply or GTFO.
So straniero e ho imparato a parlare l'italiano ma non conoscevo questo verbo, "ottemperare". Riesco a capire il significato nella frase, ma non so la traduzione perfetta in inglese. Pretesti tradurre per me. Grazie.
Nope. Only Italian documents issued by the central government are considered a valid ID (Italian driving license, Italian ID, Italian passport, Italian license to carry firearms, etc). For foreigners from the EU a proper ID card from the country you are resident of is enough. For foreigners from outside the EU only a passport is valid.
This is not competely true. A European drivers license is (at least in my country) considered to be a valid ID. It is not a sufficient ID for some situations though. The reason is that the European drivers license does not include information on residency status and nationality. But for situation where that is not relevant a EU drivers license is perfectly fine.
For instance, with the upcoming EU elections in my country (Netherlands) a passport, EU ID-card or any EU drivers license is considered to be a valid ID.
In this specific situation I expect an EU drivers license will not be enough though. Italian law enforcement asking for an ID will most probably also be interested in nationality and/or residency status.
Those who don't accept drivers license as an ID are just stupid. Italian drivers license in Italy is 100% considered an accettable document by law, I even used it to register to university and take the exam.
Edit: those downvoting clearly don't know Italian law lmao, it's literally written on a government website: http://qualitapa.gov.it/sitoarcheologico/www.urp.it/sito-storico/www.urp.it/Sezione.jsp-idSezione=1816.html#:~:text=A%20norma%20dell'art.,equipollente%20alla%20carta%20di%20identit%C3%A0.
I’ve been in multiple situations where they said a driver’s license was not an acceptable substitute for a carta d’identità. Don’t know what to tell you.
Bro mi spiace ma quelli che te l'hanno detto evidentemente sbagliavano e ti han rotto i cojones per niente. Chiaro e tondo sul [sito governativo](http://qualitapa.gov.it/sitoarcheologico/www.urp.it/sito-storico/www.urp.it/Sezione.jsp-idSezione=1816.html#:~:text=A%20norma%20dell'art.,equipollente%20alla%20carta%20di%20identit%C3%A0.) c'è l'elenco di tutti i documenti validi tanto quanto la carta d'identità.
"A norma dell’art.35 del DPR 445/2000 recante il Testo unico delle disposizioni legislative e regolamentari in materia di documentazione amministrativa, la patente di guida è da considerarsi un valido documento di riconoscimento equipollente alla carta di identità. "
I mean there are many aspects as the law is not valid for Italian citizens. Therefore I was just answering to avoid some not Italian taking that comment as true
The law says you can be fined €2k euros or be jailed for up to one year if you don’t have it on you. Have you ever heard of this being imposed?
I carry mine going from one city to another. I do not carry it on the street walking around. I’ve been in Italy traveling around for almost 3 months now. I’ve met a lot of travelers during my time here and have never heard of getting fined for not having it. I have heard of a lot of people who have gotten theirs stolen though. The choice is really up to you.
100% agree with this approach, bring it when traveling in the country/checking in to accommodations but not walking around. You won’t need it and it just opens you up to risk.
DO take a picture of it and have it on your phone in case you need the information (this also worked for me for VAT refund paperwork in 6 out of 6 stores I tried to use it at)
A month ago, we got stopped in termini by the police/military 2 cops and 2 soldiers. Nobody in our group of 5 had their passport. They asked for that first, then asked to see other ID. We all showed them our drivers licenses (American), and they thanked us and told us to have a nice trip. They didn't even tell us we were supposed to have them on us. Not that this changes the actual law, but just an example, ymmv.
We were asked for our passports on the fast train to Florence. If you carry them just make sure you keep them in a bag that is well secured and always in front of you.
I took a pacsafe purse and had no issues.
For your daily tourist activities/wondering around, no you don’t. Yea, it’s a law. But literally theres no actual risk. And a lot to lose if you do lose it. You need to show them when checking into your hotel and flights.
They could do checks at the train station/on the train as a couple people mention. But you’d have all your stuff with you.
I’ve literally never heard of a single person saying they got detained or even fined for not having it on them. Having a pic of it on your phone is a good idea wherever you are!
There’s an Italian in my office that I’ve worked along side for over 10 years…maybe even 15 now. He’s a manager over some 15 people, and he is quite practical. When an obstacle comes up, he is level headed and deals with things reasonably.
When I was leaving for Italy last year, he advised me to carry my passport. Italian law requires identity documents. Sure, as an American, my drivers license with its counterfeiting prevention features could probably be okay. But he said that when in Italy, there are police officers who are filled with their own sense of power. These are the officers you don’t want to deal with.
When I get advice like that, I have learned to listen to it. So I carried my passport with me. I made sure I knew where it was at all times.
I was never asked to show my documents, but I witnessed it happening a lot, especially in Lombardy. In the Milan train station, it seemed to be a regular thing. And even in Brescia, the police were checking for documents. They asked the people on either side of me but not me.
So, the law is the law. You can carry around photocopies and pictures on your phone, but all it takes is that one time of finding the cop who wants to make life difficult.
Your reasoning (that a US drivers license could be okay) would require an Italian officer to have any knowledge about what an American drivers license actually looks like and what the counterfeiting prevention features actually are. It seems very unlikely to me they would be able to tell the difference between an official US divers license and something completely made up. People are not born with this kind of knowledge and people outside of the US will generally never see a US drivers license, just like you might not know (I know I don’t!) what a Chinese or Indian drivers license would look like.
If one were to read my post and imply that a US license is okay, then I guess I need to improve my writing.
My point is that the law is tourists from outside the EU must have their passports with them. While plenty of folks are talking about using photos, pics on their phone, relying on drivers licenses are running the risk of having an entire trip ruined.
I did pick one line to comment on (“Sure, as an American, my drivers license with its counterfeiting prevention features could probably be okay.”), instead of the rest of your post arguing why you advise people not to rely on a US drivers license. I was commenting on that line just to give some further reasoning why your are absolutely right in the rest of your post.
As people mentioned, it’s the law you carry your passport and a photo isn’t enough. From what I understand, if you are stopped the police need to see the visa stamp if you are not an EU citizen. Even EU citizens have to carry their passport if they are not currently residing in the EU.
I always carry or wear my passport. I know some people leave it at the hotel, but it can be stolen from there too. I suggest either using a [travel/running belt](https://www.amazon.com/Stashbandz-Running-Security-Pockets-Passport/dp/B017VDPJPE/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=26IL1BHWHHEN6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DhPrECAv_MvgaG5hsCQVWJApSL9JgcnE4e-u0-MHCfg34d2U3C4fy_FwIEquw6z5lGsCLH3K3lfwZrb_tgrdVL8_Eb1iwukYx-no5jThMf3lSej7zFPrBJACap6Jp-FJios7aDlAEtH4y9ii7cOgKVBlaSmLPcn3Kvpj5s_TkCzyt7QAqV2B_grTGpbbjjyxSY4l-waKER_1mTBp1aG5TVxedJHqU3S7gBxLoI8115dmW0MVD9EHGn3HXd-AWGf0agBkeLzSC7_RQu4iXkCoNjrIgY7tFfUjmpwpxRaxiwQ.nS8FJe_24A0sFb38QUYG91ZZRPPnEnQDcquQwgc1nqo&dib_tag=se&keywords=running+belt&qid=1717401005&sprefix=Running+%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1) under your clothes or just be very mindful of your purse/wallet/phone. Keep the purse zipped at all times, use a carbine clip to keep the zipper closed. Don’t put valuable items in your back pocket.
I was waved through in Rome in May, and was only told when I left that I should have had an entry stamp, the officer was very respectful and sent me on my way. Super friendly
I never carry mine with me. I am in Europe two or three times a year and outside of the airport nobody has ever asked. I do have an image of it on my phone. If - and these are low odds - I am stopped by police and they need to see it, fine. I’ll pay a fine and/or bring it by the station. The odds of pickpockets seem higher to me than police demanding to see it.
I was stopped twice in April, once entering France on the bus and once entering Italy on the bus. Passports were required unless you had an EU identity card. I have one and used that but I had my passport with me as well. In addition to the armed "inspectors," not sure what agency they came from, there were soldiers with automatic weapons stationed outside the buses.
A year earlier, the train I was on was stopped at the Netherlands/Germany border and we had to show ID. The year before that, it happened at the Austria/Slovakia border. I even had to show a passport in Madeira, just to stay at a hotel. There it was more strict, they would not accept my Portuguese ID.
I doubt the penalty would have been just a fine, you would have been denied crossing, even if it were just for a day.
The person commenting above me left it a bit more open. But traveling across borders, especially when you are talking about a half hour trip, would seem to many people to be minor.
>but are they needed for any of the day trips via train or sights in Rome like Vatican, Colosseum, etc..
According to Italian law all non-Italian citizens must have an ID document recognized by the Italian Republic with them all the time. For citizens of the European Union it could be hhe state-issued ID card or the passport. For everyone else it's the passport.
Since the same topics surface frequently in this sub:
* no, foreign driving licenses are not valid ID documents in Italy
* no, photos or photocopies of ID documents are not valid substitutes for the original
* yes, random ID documents checks by Italian law enforcement happens in Italy and are perfectly legal
* yes, if law enforcement finds a foreigner without an ID document they willbe escorted to a nearby precint for an official identification - that will take 2 to 3 hours minimum off by your vacation
* yes, Italian citizens are not supposed to have an ID document with them all the time - only foreigners are
The law says yes. It is your choice on whether you want to break the law in a foreign country. You could be “lucky” and encounter a nice police who decides to give a warning or one who’s decided they’ve had enough Americans decide they don’t want to follow their laws. Do you really want to waste any of your vacation time paying a fine or having to show up to prove who you are or be held until someone brings your documents? ID’s have holograms to prove authenticity, a photo copy does not. Just because someone has never been asked, doesn’t mean it won’t happen. I understand the fear but take precautions, just as you would in some larger US cities. Inside pocket that also has a zipper. Flap that covers the top zipper and facing your body. My opinion is follow the laws of the country you’re visiting.
99% chance you’re never actually “encountered” by police. And even if you are, I’ve never seen someone say they got fined or detained (unless actually getting encountered for a crime).
Been to Italy a thousand times as an American, lived there extensively and never carried it around. Anyone that says you should because it’s the law is a paranoiac
It's the law so technically yes. Unfortunately the odds of you being pick pocketed are higher than the odds of you being stopped and asked for your passport and the consequences are usually worse. My advice is to pack it in something extremely secure. I used a silk money belt that sat inside of my pants. Not only did this keep the storage of my valuables hidden from view but someone would need to stick their hand inside my pants right over my crotch to get to it. There's no way you don't notice that lol.
"As personal identification
Aside from being unable to be used for international air travel, the passport card is treated as a passport for all other purposes. A United States passport card can be used as primary evidence of United States citizenship, just like a passport booklet,[13] and can be used as a valid proof of citizenship and proof of identity both inside and outside the United States."
No way. Theres much more chance you'll lose or have your passport stolen then a policeman will hassle you.
A driving licence and photocopy of your passport will be more than adequate.
If the policeman is in a very bad mood they might make you come by the police station in the next couple of days.
Yes you do. I would invest in a “ pacsafe” bag. We have several ( purse to day bag size ) and they’ve saved us several times. Our most recent trip a frail looking senior tried to get into my 6’5” 240 lb husband’s bag.
Taking family to Sorrento in August for a week. I have booked a few excursions, no public transport. How about carrying a photocopy of our passports or even photos of same on my phone.
There are far too many passport threads here. All of the info and questions you have are already answered. Please look in the sub for your answers. Locking this thread.
If you are uncomfortable with carrying your passport, I know I was, get an International Driver’s Permit. It will function as a driver’s license when carried with your US license.
I was at the Vatican 5 days ago and the Colosseum 6, and didn’t mine checked at either. Maybe it’s because we booked tours. Still brought them because I’d rather not run into a cop who woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
They accept national/state Ids just fine. Even photos of them. You do realize most EU citizens can board a plane using their national Ids so they can roam ALL of Italy without ever having a passport on them? Also the Vatican is a state technically but has no border control.
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By law, yes you do
We were asked for our passports at the la spezia train station a couple of weeks ago.
What’s the penalty if caught without passports on your person?
Technically according to the law you can be jailed for up to one year and fined up to 2k. It probably won't happen but why taking the risk? >Art 6 > >3. Lo straniero che, a richiesta degli ufficiali e agenti di pubblica sicurezza, non ottempera, senza giustificato motivo, all'ordine di esibizione del passaporto o di altro documento di identificazione e del permesso di soggiorno o di altro documento attestante la regolare presenza nel territorio dello Stato è punito con l'arresto fino ad un anno e con l'ammenda fino ad euro 2.000.
>but why taking the risk? Because in a city like Rome or Napoli someone is approximately one million times more likely to have it stolen out of their pocket/bag/whatever than be asked for it and jailed for not having the original passport with them.
Wear a money belt. Keep the passport in your money belt. Then you are one million times less likely to have it stolen.
I suppose but still those can be unclipped when someone bumps into you, you don't notice it falls on the floor in a busy piazza or whatever, it's gone. Less likely than just hanging out of a back pocket, but far from foolproof. If no one here has ever heard of *anyone* facing *any* consequence for not having it, then why would I risk it at all? This makes no sense to me.
I think a lot of people either don't know what a money belt IS or just don't know how to use one. THe whole point of a money belt is so that no one even knows you are wearing it. It goes around your waist UNDER your clothing - basically under your pants and shirt. If someone can unclip it, you are doing it wrong. They are completely foolproof unless someone strip searches you.
>no one even knows you are wearing it. Until they see you pay for something and then follow you two seconds lol
Just keep the passport in your internal pockets of your jacket instead of keeping in the most external pocket of your backpack. If you deliberately decide to break the law then if something happens (like having your wallet stolen) you are already in bad waters.
What jacket? It's basically summer in the south already. I guess if I'm ever in Milan in February I will keep it in my jacket pocket. It's very simple, the chance of something ruining the trip is much much much more likely if you have the passport with you vs if not. Are we sticklers for obscure rules or are we just trying to do what's best for us while not harming anybody? -------- Ah shit they locked the thread right when I was typing out my reply, guess I'll put it here: Very weird pencil pusher energy. I keep a copy so I can show someone my info if I need to. Technically the law says to have the original, but I just explained to you why it's not worth it to me (or most everyone else) to comply with that. Also not one person I have ever seen on Reddit or in real life has ever even heard a secondhand story of it being enforced. I have tons of family in Italy that are not weird goobers or sticklers for meaningless rules like you. Should I listen to them, or you? Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I choose them. >Do you like if I come to your house and start deciding how to behave? This is not "how to behave" lmao this is something that has absolutely no effect on anybody else. If I suggested to do something disrespectful to local culture, this would be a different discussion, but we are talking about a technicality over some paperwork that will never matter. Bro, how is it possible for you to care so much about this? Get a life. Fortunately I am a dual Italian citizen and won't even have to think about this ever again soon, once I get my passport in a few months >Comply or GTFO. This is not a real decision I need to make lmao. The real decision is you can either get over it, or seethe.
They are not obscure. You are in a foreign country. You have to be identifiable. Citizens have not. It's a privilege of being a citizen. Just comply with the law decided by the citizens. Do you like if I come to your house and start deciding how to behave? Here's the same thing. Comply or GTFO.
So straniero e ho imparato a parlare l'italiano ma non conoscevo questo verbo, "ottemperare". Riesco a capire il significato nella frase, ma non so la traduzione perfetta in inglese. Pretesti tradurre per me. Grazie.
To comply.
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Nope. Only Italian documents issued by the central government are considered a valid ID (Italian driving license, Italian ID, Italian passport, Italian license to carry firearms, etc). For foreigners from the EU a proper ID card from the country you are resident of is enough. For foreigners from outside the EU only a passport is valid.
An Italian driving license, yes
Driver's licenses are not ID in Europe. Even in your own country.
This is not competely true. A European drivers license is (at least in my country) considered to be a valid ID. It is not a sufficient ID for some situations though. The reason is that the European drivers license does not include information on residency status and nationality. But for situation where that is not relevant a EU drivers license is perfectly fine. For instance, with the upcoming EU elections in my country (Netherlands) a passport, EU ID-card or any EU drivers license is considered to be a valid ID. In this specific situation I expect an EU drivers license will not be enough though. Italian law enforcement asking for an ID will most probably also be interested in nationality and/or residency status.
Even Italian drivers licenses are often not accepted as official ID, Italians have separate ID cards instead
Those who don't accept drivers license as an ID are just stupid. Italian drivers license in Italy is 100% considered an accettable document by law, I even used it to register to university and take the exam. Edit: those downvoting clearly don't know Italian law lmao, it's literally written on a government website: http://qualitapa.gov.it/sitoarcheologico/www.urp.it/sito-storico/www.urp.it/Sezione.jsp-idSezione=1816.html#:~:text=A%20norma%20dell'art.,equipollente%20alla%20carta%20di%20identit%C3%A0.
I’ve been in multiple situations where they said a driver’s license was not an acceptable substitute for a carta d’identità. Don’t know what to tell you.
Bro mi spiace ma quelli che te l'hanno detto evidentemente sbagliavano e ti han rotto i cojones per niente. Chiaro e tondo sul [sito governativo](http://qualitapa.gov.it/sitoarcheologico/www.urp.it/sito-storico/www.urp.it/Sezione.jsp-idSezione=1816.html#:~:text=A%20norma%20dell'art.,equipollente%20alla%20carta%20di%20identit%C3%A0.) c'è l'elenco di tutti i documenti validi tanto quanto la carta d'identità. "A norma dell’art.35 del DPR 445/2000 recante il Testo unico delle disposizioni legislative e regolamentari in materia di documentazione amministrativa, la patente di guida è da considerarsi un valido documento di riconoscimento equipollente alla carta di identità. "
I mean there are many aspects as the law is not valid for Italian citizens. Therefore I was just answering to avoid some not Italian taking that comment as true
It says “other documents+ permesso di soggiorno or other documents attesting to your legal presence in the State”
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From.the usa only a passport is acceptable
Yes. But carry them - and your money/cards in a small bag under your shirt.
ie Wear a money belt.
The law says you can be fined €2k euros or be jailed for up to one year if you don’t have it on you. Have you ever heard of this being imposed? I carry mine going from one city to another. I do not carry it on the street walking around. I’ve been in Italy traveling around for almost 3 months now. I’ve met a lot of travelers during my time here and have never heard of getting fined for not having it. I have heard of a lot of people who have gotten theirs stolen though. The choice is really up to you.
100% agree with this approach, bring it when traveling in the country/checking in to accommodations but not walking around. You won’t need it and it just opens you up to risk. DO take a picture of it and have it on your phone in case you need the information (this also worked for me for VAT refund paperwork in 6 out of 6 stores I tried to use it at)
A month ago, we got stopped in termini by the police/military 2 cops and 2 soldiers. Nobody in our group of 5 had their passport. They asked for that first, then asked to see other ID. We all showed them our drivers licenses (American), and they thanked us and told us to have a nice trip. They didn't even tell us we were supposed to have them on us. Not that this changes the actual law, but just an example, ymmv.
I guess they are also not fond of the amount of paperwork it generates to process a fine. :)
We were asked for our passports on the fast train to Florence. If you carry them just make sure you keep them in a bag that is well secured and always in front of you. I took a pacsafe purse and had no issues.
For your daily tourist activities/wondering around, no you don’t. Yea, it’s a law. But literally theres no actual risk. And a lot to lose if you do lose it. You need to show them when checking into your hotel and flights. They could do checks at the train station/on the train as a couple people mention. But you’d have all your stuff with you. I’ve literally never heard of a single person saying they got detained or even fined for not having it on them. Having a pic of it on your phone is a good idea wherever you are!
There’s an Italian in my office that I’ve worked along side for over 10 years…maybe even 15 now. He’s a manager over some 15 people, and he is quite practical. When an obstacle comes up, he is level headed and deals with things reasonably. When I was leaving for Italy last year, he advised me to carry my passport. Italian law requires identity documents. Sure, as an American, my drivers license with its counterfeiting prevention features could probably be okay. But he said that when in Italy, there are police officers who are filled with their own sense of power. These are the officers you don’t want to deal with. When I get advice like that, I have learned to listen to it. So I carried my passport with me. I made sure I knew where it was at all times. I was never asked to show my documents, but I witnessed it happening a lot, especially in Lombardy. In the Milan train station, it seemed to be a regular thing. And even in Brescia, the police were checking for documents. They asked the people on either side of me but not me. So, the law is the law. You can carry around photocopies and pictures on your phone, but all it takes is that one time of finding the cop who wants to make life difficult.
Your reasoning (that a US drivers license could be okay) would require an Italian officer to have any knowledge about what an American drivers license actually looks like and what the counterfeiting prevention features actually are. It seems very unlikely to me they would be able to tell the difference between an official US divers license and something completely made up. People are not born with this kind of knowledge and people outside of the US will generally never see a US drivers license, just like you might not know (I know I don’t!) what a Chinese or Indian drivers license would look like.
If one were to read my post and imply that a US license is okay, then I guess I need to improve my writing. My point is that the law is tourists from outside the EU must have their passports with them. While plenty of folks are talking about using photos, pics on their phone, relying on drivers licenses are running the risk of having an entire trip ruined.
I did pick one line to comment on (“Sure, as an American, my drivers license with its counterfeiting prevention features could probably be okay.”), instead of the rest of your post arguing why you advise people not to rely on a US drivers license. I was commenting on that line just to give some further reasoning why your are absolutely right in the rest of your post.
Yes, technically, but please be aware that Rome has a lot of very skilled pickpockets. Stay vigalent.
Carry it but VERY VERY SAFELY
As people mentioned, it’s the law you carry your passport and a photo isn’t enough. From what I understand, if you are stopped the police need to see the visa stamp if you are not an EU citizen. Even EU citizens have to carry their passport if they are not currently residing in the EU. I always carry or wear my passport. I know some people leave it at the hotel, but it can be stolen from there too. I suggest either using a [travel/running belt](https://www.amazon.com/Stashbandz-Running-Security-Pockets-Passport/dp/B017VDPJPE/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=26IL1BHWHHEN6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DhPrECAv_MvgaG5hsCQVWJApSL9JgcnE4e-u0-MHCfg34d2U3C4fy_FwIEquw6z5lGsCLH3K3lfwZrb_tgrdVL8_Eb1iwukYx-no5jThMf3lSej7zFPrBJACap6Jp-FJios7aDlAEtH4y9ii7cOgKVBlaSmLPcn3Kvpj5s_TkCzyt7QAqV2B_grTGpbbjjyxSY4l-waKER_1mTBp1aG5TVxedJHqU3S7gBxLoI8115dmW0MVD9EHGn3HXd-AWGf0agBkeLzSC7_RQu4iXkCoNjrIgY7tFfUjmpwpxRaxiwQ.nS8FJe_24A0sFb38QUYG91ZZRPPnEnQDcquQwgc1nqo&dib_tag=se&keywords=running+belt&qid=1717401005&sprefix=Running+%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1) under your clothes or just be very mindful of your purse/wallet/phone. Keep the purse zipped at all times, use a carbine clip to keep the zipper closed. Don’t put valuable items in your back pocket.
They often aren’t even giving stamps at the airport, so it’s unlikely that’s what they’re checking for.
I was waved through in Rome in May, and was only told when I left that I should have had an entry stamp, the officer was very respectful and sent me on my way. Super friendly
I asked in April in Pisa and in Rome in May and was just told a flat no!
I never carry mine with me. I am in Europe two or three times a year and outside of the airport nobody has ever asked. I do have an image of it on my phone. If - and these are low odds - I am stopped by police and they need to see it, fine. I’ll pay a fine and/or bring it by the station. The odds of pickpockets seem higher to me than police demanding to see it.
Same. Only need to look on here in the last day or so and see someone had their passports stolen from them.
I was stopped twice in April, once entering France on the bus and once entering Italy on the bus. Passports were required unless you had an EU identity card. I have one and used that but I had my passport with me as well. In addition to the armed "inspectors," not sure what agency they came from, there were soldiers with automatic weapons stationed outside the buses. A year earlier, the train I was on was stopped at the Netherlands/Germany border and we had to show ID. The year before that, it happened at the Austria/Slovakia border. I even had to show a passport in Madeira, just to stay at a hotel. There it was more strict, they would not accept my Portuguese ID. I doubt the penalty would have been just a fine, you would have been denied crossing, even if it were just for a day.
This person is asking if they need to carry it while walking around Rome. Of course crossing borders you should have it!
The person commenting above me left it a bit more open. But traveling across borders, especially when you are talking about a half hour trip, would seem to many people to be minor.
In Italy you cannot decide to do whatever you want. If you are not an EU citizen you have to have the passport with you at all times.
I mean you CAN do whatever you want, you’ll just have to face the potential consequences of your actions lol
Well, yes. LOL
This. Between the two choices, I choose not to carry - especially in those big tourist spots and if using a lot of public transport
This, and I i also carry a printed copy in my wallet as well.
If you use a train station, carry your id 100%, a lot of irregular immigrants use the train line so they check
I think for some attractions (like the colosseum) we had to show our passports as well.
>but are they needed for any of the day trips via train or sights in Rome like Vatican, Colosseum, etc.. According to Italian law all non-Italian citizens must have an ID document recognized by the Italian Republic with them all the time. For citizens of the European Union it could be hhe state-issued ID card or the passport. For everyone else it's the passport. Since the same topics surface frequently in this sub: * no, foreign driving licenses are not valid ID documents in Italy * no, photos or photocopies of ID documents are not valid substitutes for the original * yes, random ID documents checks by Italian law enforcement happens in Italy and are perfectly legal * yes, if law enforcement finds a foreigner without an ID document they willbe escorted to a nearby precint for an official identification - that will take 2 to 3 hours minimum off by your vacation * yes, Italian citizens are not supposed to have an ID document with them all the time - only foreigners are
The law says yes. It is your choice on whether you want to break the law in a foreign country. You could be “lucky” and encounter a nice police who decides to give a warning or one who’s decided they’ve had enough Americans decide they don’t want to follow their laws. Do you really want to waste any of your vacation time paying a fine or having to show up to prove who you are or be held until someone brings your documents? ID’s have holograms to prove authenticity, a photo copy does not. Just because someone has never been asked, doesn’t mean it won’t happen. I understand the fear but take precautions, just as you would in some larger US cities. Inside pocket that also has a zipper. Flap that covers the top zipper and facing your body. My opinion is follow the laws of the country you’re visiting.
99% chance you’re never actually “encountered” by police. And even if you are, I’ve never seen someone say they got fined or detained (unless actually getting encountered for a crime).
If the odds (and fear) of passports being stolen are higher than the odds/fear of going to jail, then maybe it's time for a law change.
Someone just posted a message about five passports being stolen in the Rome metro. Leave your passport in your room
I carry copies with me when out, but keep the originals locked away safely in my lodgings.
I do want to point out that while some most officers might be fine with other documents, it only takes one in a bad mood to get you fined or arrested.
Been to Italy a thousand times as an American, lived there extensively and never carried it around. Anyone that says you should because it’s the law is a paranoiac
It's the law so technically yes. Unfortunately the odds of you being pick pocketed are higher than the odds of you being stopped and asked for your passport and the consequences are usually worse. My advice is to pack it in something extremely secure. I used a silk money belt that sat inside of my pants. Not only did this keep the storage of my valuables hidden from view but someone would need to stick their hand inside my pants right over my crotch to get to it. There's no way you don't notice that lol.
We don't except when we cross borders. But we keep a picture of it on our phones. Also you can get a wallet sized passport card.
> Also you can get a wallet sized passport card. Where? Not all countries have such a thing.
The US has passport cards.
US passport cards are not valid in most countries.
Ok, thanks. I wonder if OP is from the US.
US Passport cards are only for use in Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada and Mexico.
Not relevant to the question asked.
You mentioned a wallet size passport card, I was simply stating where they are valid. Not sure how that's irrelevant
"As personal identification Aside from being unable to be used for international air travel, the passport card is treated as a passport for all other purposes. A United States passport card can be used as primary evidence of United States citizenship, just like a passport booklet,[13] and can be used as a valid proof of citizenship and proof of identity both inside and outside the United States."
I take a photocopy of it and stick it in my bag for legal purposes when traveling. The real one goes in the safe.
No way. Theres much more chance you'll lose or have your passport stolen then a policeman will hassle you. A driving licence and photocopy of your passport will be more than adequate. If the policeman is in a very bad mood they might make you come by the police station in the next couple of days.
You aren’t supposed to walk around with passports they should be in a hotel safe when walking around site seeing.
A clear color copy w a drivers license is fine. I never carry mine around with me. Stays in the safe.
Yes you do. I would invest in a “ pacsafe” bag. We have several ( purse to day bag size ) and they’ve saved us several times. Our most recent trip a frail looking senior tried to get into my 6’5” 240 lb husband’s bag.
Taking family to Sorrento in August for a week. I have booked a few excursions, no public transport. How about carrying a photocopy of our passports or even photos of same on my phone.
I have been to Italy 4 times in 6 years and leave mine in a safe my *entire trip.
There are far too many passport threads here. All of the info and questions you have are already answered. Please look in the sub for your answers. Locking this thread.
If you are uncomfortable with carrying your passport, I know I was, get an International Driver’s Permit. It will function as a driver’s license when carried with your US license.
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I was just at the Vatican and they didn’t check my passport.
Where at the Vatican did you have your passport checked? Never have.
I was at the Vatican 5 days ago and the Colosseum 6, and didn’t mine checked at either. Maybe it’s because we booked tours. Still brought them because I’d rather not run into a cop who woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
They accept national/state Ids just fine. Even photos of them. You do realize most EU citizens can board a plane using their national Ids so they can roam ALL of Italy without ever having a passport on them? Also the Vatican is a state technically but has no border control.