Host in Portugal says Passport and other data required to stay there

[Susan5024]

I've seen older threads about hosts in Portugal saying it's mandatory for them to collect all personal data including Passport number, date of birth, etc. to comply with their national laws.  When asked about where this requirement is, they point me to 2007 laws for entry into the country. 

In 2023 - is it accurate?

[Till-and-Jutta0]

@Susan5024 In Europe we have strict regulations about guest registration. When we were in Lisbon, it was same as you describe.

[Fred13]

We needed to show a passport in Portugal last Fall.

[Dora486]

Here in Spain we have to take passport details and register each and every guest on the local police register.  National security and all that.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Susan5024 I suggest you don't come to England. We have laws that are still applied dating from 500 years ago lol. There is no reason a 2007 law will not apply today in Portugal.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

I stopped being lazy and looked it up. In England written laws still used today were codified in 1215 so over 800 years ago. Apologies for being 300 years out!

[Helen3]

Yes why wouldn't it be @Susan5024 ?

Always a good idea when travelling to understand travelling requirements such as visa's and whether you need to provide ID/register your accommodaiton.

[Branka-and-Silvia0 · Accepted solution]

@Susan5024Same in Croatia, Slovenia and Italy, we also have to register all our guests so they have to show us their IDs or passports. I have a mobile app to scan their documents and send them to the immigration police department

[Ana2038]

@Susan5024 , we will be visiting Portugal in a June and our Airbnb host in one city we are visiting/staying is requiring copies of our passports, yet in another city we are visiting/staying (non-Airbnb unit; apartment booked through another platform) has not asked for copies of our passports.  I plan on complying with the host(s) requirements.

[Lorna170]

@Susan5024  I have travelled abroad since 1973 and my passport is required to be shown to the host/hotel everywhere I stay.   I have had to provide my passport time and time again to hosts, hotels, cruise ships, airports, trains, border crossings, etc.

A law that was enacted in 2007 would still be on the books in 2023.  

[Shani138]

Hi Susan, 

This requirement is still in place in 2023. 

All hosts and provides of accommodations are requiring to report their guests' details to the authorities (SEF).

You can find detailed information in this blog post:

https://blog.upmarket.cloud/airbnb-in-portugal-why-is-my-host-asking-for-passport-details/

[Helen427]

@Susan5024 @Shani138 @Lorna170 @Ana2038 @Branka-and-Silvia0 

This has been in the media in recent days that may be of interest to you all.

Note I've edited it so the full media release is in the link.

Spanish Police, Confianza Online & Airbnb issue Guideline for Tourists to Prevent Vacation Rental Scams

June 14, 2023

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/spanish-police-confianza-online-airbnb-issue-guideline-for-tou...

Finalise bookings, payments and communications on the designated platforms only, such as Airbnb, and those that ask to leave the platform to complete booking or payments, should be notified to authorities.

Common Indications to Detect Possible Scammers

Usually, scammers say they are abroad and don’t live nearby, thus an international transfer has to be made. Sometimes they are too professional, asking for a copy of the user’s ID before even making the reservation. Another indication that the host can be a scammer is always being in a hurry to finish payment and asking for a deposit in advance.