EU Hotels Under Scrutiny for Illegal Copying of Guest IDs

Travelers in the EU are being warned that hotel receptionists who photograph guests' passports or identity cards may be violating the GDPR, which forbids storing such data without explicit consent. Legal experts note that copying IDs can facilitate identity theft, citing cases where scanned documents from luxury hotels were sold on the dark web for up to €10,000. The practice is contrasted with stricter data‑handling rules for banks and insurers, and experts advise guests to refuse unnecessary copies and request written consent if a copy is taken.

At the same time, the Austrian mobility club ÖAMTC is urging travellers to check the validity of passports, identity cards and other required documents before the summer holiday season. The club highlights that many European hotels and transport operators still demand a valid ID at check‑in, and that expired documents can lead to denied entry, additional fees, or the need for emergency travel documents abroad. Both advisories aim to protect travellers from legal hassles and potential fraud during their journeys.