People are urged to brush up on the rules and regulations for the country they’re going to before heading to the airport
Travel expert warns of ID law catching Brits out in Portugal(Image: Getty)
Anyone planning a stay at a European hotspot this year has been reminded of an important rule that experts say has been catching Brits out. Travel specialist Simon Hood has warned of a ‘little-known’ law that could leave holidaymakers in a spot of bother when heading to a popular Mediterranean destination.
Located on the western reaches of the European Union, Portugal has become a favourite with British holidaymakers since the late 1950s. The rise of the budget airline, resorts along the Algarve, and affordable cost-of-living has made it a mainstay among Brits, transforming the nation into a European favourite.
According to Portugal’s National Institute of Statistics (INE), approximately two to three million British nationals visit the country’s cities and resorts each year. Ranking the UK behind Spain, but ahead of the United States, as Portugal’s largest tourism markets.
However, one ID law many may not be aware of could end people’s stay on the coast, according to travel expert Simon Hood, executive director of relocation firm John Mason International Movers. Simon warns that failure to comply with a single piece of local legislation could result in detention by police, a fine, or even the seizure of property.
Simon explains: “Over the years, I’ve heard countless stories from friends and relatives running into a spot of local trouble in Portugal by failing to follow one simple rule. Portuguese law clearly states you need to carry your national ID card, or passport, at all times.
“While the UK doesn’t have a national ID card, at least not yet, a UK driver’s licence alone is not sufficient, meaning you’ll be expected to always carry your passport. Many British holidaymakers believe a UK driver’s licence is enough, but it isn’t.
“The UK Foreign Office and US State Department both advise that a scanned copy of your passport should be enough if asked to produce ID by police. But they could still ask you for the hard copy.”
Simon says the consequences of failing to produce ID when asked by police could be serious, including the potential to derail your Portuguese holiday. He said: “The consequences include an unspecified fine assumed to be somewhere in the region of a few hundred euros, possible detention, and being escorted to your hotel or Airbnb to produce ID.
“It could even lead to the seizure of property. So, if you’re bringing back a bottle of bubbly to the hotel and then suddenly stop without ID, your evening plans could be a tad delayed.”
The legislation mandates that citizens and residents aged 16 or older must carry identification in public, such as an identity card, passport, or residence permit. Accepted documents include:
- Portuguese Citizens: Citizen Card (Cartão de Cidadão) or passport.
- EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals: Residence permit, valid national identity card, or passport.
- Third-Country Nationals (Non-EU): Residence permit or valid passport.
Enabled to modernise Portugal’s bureaucracy upon joining the European Union in the mid-1980s, the move was in part designed to align the country with policing standards across the bloc and has since become an ingrained daily habit across Portugal. People must produce these documents upon the request of authorised law enforcement or immigration officers.
By law, all paid accommodation providers (hotels, rentals) must collect and record these identification details for all foreign guests. For more information, you can view official guidance on the Portuguese Government Portal.
Simon explains why Brits in particular fall afoul of these rules. “Carrying ID and having national ID cards is commonplace across the EU, it’s something people don’t think twice about out of habit, but not so much in the UK. It’s not cultural here to carry ID, in fact, the opposite, most Brits when asked would opt not to,” he said.
“The recent uproar over the government’s ‘BritCard’ plans is a testament to this weird quirk in our national identity. Even going back to the early 2000s, we didn’t want them. I suppose it’s a difference between us and the continent.
“However, when in Portugal, carry your passport; a scan alone might not be sufficient, and you’d really hate to be escorted by the police back to your hotel room on holiday. On balance, I’d take my passport with me; it’s not worth the risk.”