Do I need to carry my passport while travelling within the Schengen area?
If I have already entered the Schengen area, when am I required by law to carry my passport?
Basically do I need it when I
- Travel within the same city
- Change cities
- Board a flight or a train
- Cross borders
When I was in Europe I had two completely different incidents with me and I wonder which was legal and which strictly was not?
I was asked for my passport on the Metz, France train station while leaving for Luxembourg. Note: This was NOT ON the train but simply on the station because I was clearly a foreigner.
I was able to travel to Italy from Metz without my passport when I had accidentally forgotten it and had already boarded the train towards Italy. I was also able to come back and my passport was never asked for. I was traveling on a EuRail Pass.
Best Answer
By law most EU nations require all people to carry photo ID at all times and present it to police when requested.
There's usually a hefty fine for failure to be able to do so. And possibly a trip to a police station for fingerprinting and other means of trying to find out who you are.
While it's not common for police to be around, even when you need them, and even less common for them to ask for your ID (unless maybe you get caught up in a riot or major search operation, things like that), you can be asked at any time so best be prepared.
Mind that that doesn't have to be a passport, a European identity card or driver's license is usually enough (but might not be for non-EU citizens).
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As for traveling within Europe, some countries require a passport to cross borders, but 26 countries are a party to the Schengen Agreement, which means you do not need a passport to travel between these countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, ...Can I travel in Schengen area without passport?
Citizens of Schengen countries can cross the internal borders of all member states without passport checks. The Schengen visa entitles the holder to visits of up to 90 days every 6 months in the entire Schengen area.What happens if you travel without a passport?
This can take about six to eight weeks, according to the Department of State. Without a passport, REAL ID-compliant card, or any other accepted forms of identification, you'll not be allowed through TSA checkpoints, meaning you won't be able to fly within the U.S.Is passport required to travel within Europe?
Travel documents within EuropeYou will need an ID card or passport if you are travelling within the European Union. And not just when you cross a border (for example, via an airport). You must also be able to show an ID card or passport if you are staying in a European country.THE SCHENGEN ZONE TRAVEL EXPLAINED - DIGITAL NOMAD TV
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Answer 2
I was asked for my passport on the Metz, France train station while leaving for Luxembourg. Note: This was NOT ON the train but simply on the station because I was clearly a foreigner.
This was an anomaly, I would believe. I have moved around quite a bit in Europe. Always carry my passport with me, but not for this specific reason, and have never been asked to take it out in the past 5 years even when I have crossed borders within the Schengen region. Don't play the foreigner card(alibi). I am also a foreigner, and I have visited places where it is next to impossible to find a coloured person for miles in either direction.
Anyway when you applied for a Schengen visa, there should have been a printed note returned with your passport which says you have to carry your passport, proof of funds etc around always. Didn't you get one ?
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