Surely This Runs The Risk Of Losing A Passport

[Bobbisox1]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/10897677/tourist-passport-spain-police/?utm_campaign=sunmainfacebook&utm_medium=Social&;utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1580926149

[THECORBYLOON]

"In previous instances, copies of passports have been accepted by police officers, although officers can ask to accompany visitors to their hotel to see the original."

[New Judge]

//Always take care of your passport, as obtaining a replacement is costly and time-consuming.//

Yeah. Like carrying it around in your back pocket when you go to a football match.

[Bobbisox1]

Don’t mind that TCL , I’d happily go back to our apartment to produce it but I won’t carry it around with me

[zebo]

The same is the case in the US, we were stopped at a border check post, 20 miles from the border with Mexico and we didn't have them. We were told that we were supposed to carry them at all times which we now do in that part of the US.
We always have good photocopies of our passports with us anywhere in the world, just in case.

[Bobbisox1]

I’ll photocopy mine I think , good idea

[Old_Geezer]

If they detain you how can you go get evidence ?

Sounds like a war film. "Papers papers you will have your papers ready."

Instead of putting tourists off visiting, the authorities would be better off checking those employed, those on welfare, those involved in criminal activity, and seeing where residents get the wherewithal to live off, from. Not to mention folk getting in illegally from sea or land in the first place.

[Deskdiary]

I stayed in La Linea in September with a bunch of mates, and we were crossing the border every day into Gibraltar, and it was a total pain in the backside having to carry my passport - particularly when you've been partaking of 'refreshment' all day, as the risk of losing it increases.

This is just a scare story - the police wherever you are have always been entitled to ask for proof of ID if they have the need to, so when I go to Spain and don't have to cross a border (like Gib) my passport will be safely locked in the hotel safe.

[Bobbisox1]

This is in the Canaries very soon although I will be visiting Gib in July as well DD

[Buenchico]

Many countries require their own citizens to carry their identity cards at all times and for visitors to carry their passports. e.g. you have to carry such identification with you at all times in Belgium and in Germany, as well as in Spain. In the Netherlands you must be able to produce a valid form of proof of identity when required to do so by a police officer. The vast majority of East European countries also require visitors to carry their passports with them at all times.

[Bobbisox1]

Will a photocopy suffice Chris?

[Cloverjo]

In South Africa, husband was stopped for some driving offence. He was asked for his passport, he said it was at the hotel, police officer told him to go and get it. Husband said ok and drove off on our way.

[237SJ]

Quite a few countries require the same - usually a photocopy will suffice

[Bobbisox1]

Thank you 2375j

[Buenchico]

>>> Will a photocopy suffice Chris?

I suspect that the official answer to that will be 'No' but I suppose that it's possible that there might be some flexibility allowed in certain circumstances.

[Bobbisox1]

Teguis is quite a small resort anc if I was asked to go and get it, it wouldn’t be a hardship and in July we are in a private villa and have hired a car so I’ll take if with me when we go out, and tell the others to also

[Deskdiary]

I've been to France, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, Poland, Greece, Hungary, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Ukraine, Romania, Holland, Ireland, Albania, Slovenia, Latvia, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovakia, and have NEVER been asked for proof of ID whilst in-country.

I've never been to Italy...perhaps that's where I will need to carry my passport.

Put another way, the story is total arsewater and best ignored.

[Bobbisox1]

Wow , you’re well travelled aren’t you ?

[Bobbisox1]

I’ve been to 8+1 of them as I’ve been to Rome as well

[Deskdiary]

"Wow , you’re well travelled aren’t you ?"

Actually, not really.

I've never been to North or South America or Australasia - whereas, as far as I can tell, pretty much everybody else has! I've been to Central America, the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean a fair bit in the past as I was keen Scuba Diver, although only dive occasionally now.

But...I love Europe - the amount of history on our doorstep is astonishing. I love old buildings, and a 200 year old building in Australia or America is considered ancient, whereas in Prague, a 200 year old building is barely touching puberty.

[naomi24]

//The police have the right to hold you at a police station until your identity is confirmed.//

Difficult to confirm your identity if the police won't release you from the police station to collect identification. If you want to carry identification (and that's not a bad idea) carry a copy of your passport - never the original. That, as Deskdiary suggests, should be locked safely away.

I've travelled the world and have been stopped by police in various countries, but the only place I have ever been required to produce identification has been along the Egyptian/Israeli border - and that at regular intervals .... but that's understandable.

I think this is scaremongering.