Portugal AirBNB Host is asking for passport number by law - True or false?

Aug 16th, 2017 5:28 pm

#1

HoTiCE_ [OP]: Deal Addict; Feb 21, 2004; 1573 posts; 371 upvotes; Montreal

Aug 16th, 2017 5:28 pm

Portugal AirBNB Host is asking for passport number by law - True or false?

Hello
We're heading over to Portugal soon and after booking a few AirBNB locally, we're being asked to provide in advance our passport numbers by law. Can anyone shed some light as to if this is true or not?

Google doesn't provide a clear answer and I dont trust info directly on the AirBNB forums. Lots of info in Portuguese also which I can't read...

Aug 16th, 2017 5:59 pm

#2

jerryhung: Deal Expert; Sep 19, 2004; 26108 posts; 8237 upvotes; where I belong

Aug 16th, 2017 5:59 pm

Shoot, now I can't remember my March 2017 trip (Lisbon is B&B via Expedia, Barcelona is Airbnb)
I *think* they both asked for our passport (or just one) to scan at check-in (they're legit B&B business with registration #, not your DIY hosts)
I definitely didn't email any beforehand

I'd maybe ask other Airbnb in Portguals to see if they need it also? to see if it's National law or just the hosts wanting them

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Aug 16th, 2017 6:11 pm

#3

amz155: Deal Fanatic; May 14, 2009; 6699 posts; 1438 upvotes

Aug 16th, 2017 6:11 pm

Could you ask the host to provide you with a link or reference to the law they're referring to?

Aug 16th, 2017 6:54 pm

#4

BrunetteGirl: Deal Addict; Jun 15, 2015; 2727 posts; 1989 upvotes; Mississauga, ON

Aug 16th, 2017 6:54 pm

I've never used airbnb...

However,
My husband is Portuguese and we go there a few times a year and always stay at hotels. We are almost always asked for our passports and I've witnessed them photocopying them.

Do they want the passport # or a an actual copy of the passport? I can't think of too much that can be done with a passport number. Regardless, just ask if you can show them your passport upon arrival?

There are tons of countries in the world where I have been asked for both of our passports and they actually photocopy them. Never had any issues.

Aug 16th, 2017 9:54 pm

#5

Talamasca: Deal Guru; Apr 26, 2004; 12713 posts; 3155 upvotes; Mississauga

Aug 16th, 2017 9:54 pm

I was in Portugal a couple months ago and had to give my passport upon check-in at my hostel. Maybe your AirBnB hosts won't be there in person when you arrive so they're making sure they have all their paperwork in order?

Aug 16th, 2017 10:21 pm

#6

Doubleshot: Banned; Dec 5, 2015; 1338 posts; 450 upvotes; Thornhill, ON

Aug 16th, 2017 10:21 pm

All EU countries require copy of passport for people staying at hotels, hostel or Airbnb ..they also collect any tourist tax/room fees for Airbnb just like for hotels

Aug 16th, 2017 11:25 pm

#7

itIsI: Jr. Member; May 4, 2007; 146 posts; 38 upvotes

Aug 16th, 2017 11:25 pm

Doubleshot wrote: ↑ All EU countries require copy of passport for people staying at hotels, hostel or Airbnb ..

Not true quite yet. Until Brexit, UK is still in EU and has no interest in seeing your passport to check where you are staying.

What the heck do the other countries do with the info anyway?

Aug 17th, 2017 12:22 am

#8

Doubleshot: Banned; Dec 5, 2015; 1338 posts; 450 upvotes; Thornhill, ON

Aug 17th, 2017 12:22 am

itIsI wrote: ↑ Not true quite yet. Until Brexit, UK is still in EU and has no interest in seeing your passport to check where you are staying.

What the heck do the other countries do with the info anyway?

Its the law for all EU members and the UK as well according to source below .maybe the hotel you stayed at just didn't follow the law?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/trave ... akers.html

Aug 17th, 2017 2:23 am

#9

Talamasca: Deal Guru; Apr 26, 2004; 12713 posts; 3155 upvotes; Mississauga

Aug 17th, 2017 2:23 am

itIsI wrote: ↑ Not true quite yet. Until Brexit, UK is still in EU and has no interest in seeing your passport to check where you are staying.

What the heck do the other countries do with the info anyway?

I believe it gets registered with the police. I guess it would help to track you down if you committed a crime.

Aug 17th, 2017 9:04 am

#10

HoTiCE_ [OP]: Deal Addict; Feb 21, 2004; 1573 posts; 371 upvotes; Montreal

Aug 17th, 2017 9:04 am

ok fair enough, thanks for all the feedback. Just wanted to know if it was legit or not in terms of request

Aug 17th, 2017 9:21 am

#11

EndrewSmith: Member; Nov 24, 2009; 398 posts; 48 upvotes; Ottawa

Aug 17th, 2017 9:21 am

Doubleshot wrote: ↑ Its the law for all EU members and the UK as well according to source below .maybe the hotel you stayed at just didn't follow the law?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/trave ... akers.html

At recent trip to Greece and Italy, none of Airbnb hosts asked for my passport, but hotel did. I guess they weren't following the law.

Aug 17th, 2017 11:27 am

#12

marktang: Deal Fanatic; Jan 31, 2006; 5009 posts; 887 upvotes; Toronto

Aug 17th, 2017 11:27 am

The airbnbs i stayed in Italy asked for my passport when we arrived. So i don't think its uncommon.

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Aug 19th, 2017 5:00 pm

#13

MiranChauhan: Newbie; Nov 8, 2015; 19 posts; 10 upvotes; Toronto, ON

Aug 19th, 2017 5:00 pm

had been asked this once while I was in Belgium

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Aug 19th, 2017 10:37 pm

#14

BeanFinn: Member; May 7, 2017; 347 posts; 164 upvotes

Aug 19th, 2017 10:37 pm

I have a Airbnb unit in Portugal and we do ask for passport numbers ( the company that we signed up for does our day to day operations ). The house is registered and everything.

Prior to that we never asked as the house wasn't registered for business purposes.

Aug 19th, 2017 10:45 pm

#15

oniononion112: Newbie; Jun 21, 2015; 24 posts; 9 upvotes; London, ON

Aug 19th, 2017 10:45 pm

asked a friend who went, and did it without :/

Aug 20th, 2017 12:24 pm

#16

Mulder and Scully: Deal Fanatic; Aug 3, 2006; 5041 posts; 1749 upvotes

Aug 20th, 2017 12:24 pm

There's a small distinction here which BeanFinn brings up and is correct.

It's not so much that this Portugal Airbnb host is asking for the guests' identity (in the form of a passport) as per local law, but rather that every registered hotel/lodging business is required to record the identities of their guests. This implies that this specific Airbnb is running their operation like a legal business. Or it could be a guesthouse just advertising on Airbnb which happens often as well.

Last edited by Mulder and Scully on Aug 20th, 2017 12:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Aug 20th, 2017 1:50 pm

#17

MonctonMan: Deal Addict; Oct 25, 2009; 4329 posts; 1343 upvotes; Moncton

Aug 20th, 2017 1:50 pm

Ontario has a similar law. So if you are running from the law, you better have many friends (or fake ID), because even cheap motels are supposed to send your info to the police.

Toronto is a very small part of Canada

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