In 1999 I was able to used an ordinary passport from the US to travel to Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy and make some money (before Euros) playing.
What kind of identification do you need these days in the world of digital identification?
It's still just a passport. And assuming your passport is valid (i.e., issued within the last 10 years), it's a modern passport. Most countries want your passport to be valid for a good six months beyond the date of your arrival.
Once you enter the EU, you won't need to show the passport anymore when going from country to country. It's only when leaving the EU (such as going to Switzerland or the UK), that you'll need to show it again.
Dear Doug, Mickey
Not completely correct: Switzerland IS - as correctly stated - NOT part of the EC, but part of the Schengen area, and therefore entering Switzerland from one of its neighbouring countries does not require to show your passport. If you arrive directly from the US by plane tough, you will have to show your passport once, as you enter Switzerland / Schengen area.
btw: Switzerland does not have the Euro but our own Swiss Franc as the currency (and yes, your credit/debit card is widely accepted).
If you plan to bring your own instrument with you, make shure it has NO parts made from Brazilian Rosewood, plus a proof it is your instrument like a copy of the invoice incl serial number. The customs officers have a keen eye....
Beside this: welcome to Switzerland and Europe
Best regars from Switzerland
Chris
quote:
Originally posted by segercDear Doug, Mickey
Not completely correct: Switzerland IS - as correctly stated - NOT part of the EC, but part of the Schengen area, and therefore entering Switzerland from one of its neighbouring countries does not require to show your passport. If you arrive directly from the US by plane tough, you will have to show your passport once, as you enter Switzerland / Schengen area.
btw: Switzerland does not have the Euro but our own Swiss Franc as the currency (and yes, your credit/debit card is widely accepted).
If you plan to bring your own instrument with you, make shure it has NO parts made from Brazilian Rosewood, plus a proof it is your instrument like a copy of the invoice incl serial number. The customs officers have a keen eye....
Beside this: welcome to Switzerland and Europe
Best regars from Switzerland
Chris
I've driven into Switzerland (Geneva from France) a few times - the border control is pretty random. Sometimes they'll stop us and have a glance at our passport (I'm pretty sure just the driver though, and it's very quick, probably because we're showing French passports). Other times, we're driven in and there's been no one there to greet us.
I've never taken the train in, I'm guessing there's no border control for those. Probably not for inter-European flights either.
Edited by - Mickhammer on 12/13/2025 23:09:05
If you come into the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland it is extremely rare to be asked to show your passport and vise-verse. If you arrive in the Republic from any other place you’ll be required to show your passport.
quote:
Originally posted by MickhammerIt's still just a passport. And assuming your passport is valid (i.e., issued within the last 10 years), it's a modern passport. Most countries want your passport to be valid for a good six months beyond the date of your arrival.
Once you enter the EU, you won't need to show the passport anymore when going from country to country. It's only when leaving the EU (such as going to Switzerland or the UK), that you'll need to show it again.
Sadly not quite right at the moment. Germany has reintroduced border controls to the European neighbors France, Netherlands, Poland and Austria since a couple of months.
Poor Doug - you must be bewildered by the many opinions even we Europeans have. As you need a passport anyway, carry it with you all the time, but don't be surprised if you are rarely asked to show it
@Martin - correct, but I do not see more officers when I cross borders into Germany (from Switzerkand, or from France). Are there really more officers on duty?
Best regards,
Chris
quote:
Originally posted by segercPoor Doug - you must be bewildered by the many opinions even we Europeans have.
In our defense, the rules change all the time. And there are a few dozen countries, each with its own rules. ;-D
So yeah, carry your passport.
quote:
Originally posted by Doug KnechtIn 1999 I was able to used an ordinary passport from the US to travel to Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy and make some money (before Euros) playing.
What kind of identification do you need these days in the world of digital identification?
Hi Doug
The EU rules it would seem are forever changing at least that's what I hear from others, I haven't traveled much in a few years. My advice FWIW is to have your passport handy when crossing borders just on the off chance it's required. Customs officers may wish to check your bags but on the whole freedom of movement in the EU is fairly relaxed. No ICE over here.
Modern passports are digital ID. They contain a chip with stored biometric information. Encrypted.
quote:
Originally posted by Laurence DiehlModern passports are digital ID. They contain a chip with stored biometric information. Encrypted.
True, however I am thinking that not every international border post is necessarily equipt to handle digital passports
Kinda funny story. I have driven hundreds of commuter bus services between Dublin and Belfast. In all that time I was only pulled over by a squad car twice. The first time I actually was on the commuter run. The Guarda officer was polite asked everyone to present their passports. When he was done he thanked them and welcomed them and urged them to enjoy their time in Ireland.
The second time the bus was full of school children on a day tour of Northern Ireland. Soon after we crossed back into the South a squad car pulled us over asked me if I had tourists of course I told him that they are all students from the south. He asked them to produce their passports a few of them had their student ID and a couple of minutes later he thanked them, welcomed them to Ireland and urged them to enjoy their stay.
Hi Doug -
I'd worry more about your credit cards than the passport. I don't know for a fact, but I have been told there are still some Americans that have credit cards without chips - or else the credit cards have a chip but people don't know their PIN number.
As a default I keep my credit cards locked down for use against countries where I am not planning to be - then I have to go online or call the bank to activate the cards for countries I travel to - so maybe something else to think about!
Cheers, Ken
quote:
Originally posted by Dr.KenHi Doug -
I'd worry more about your credit cards than the passport. I don't know for a fact, but I have been told there are still some Americans that have credit cards without chips - or else the credit cards have a chip but people don't know their PIN number.
As a default I keep my credit cards locked down for use against countries where I am not planning to be - then I have to go online or call the bank to activate the cards for countries I travel to - so maybe something else to think about!
Cheers, Ken
Not that I have one myself but my daughters use the Monzo Card whilst traveling https://monzo.com/
Thanks for all the good info!
