Carrying ID in Germany
 

I believe I read somewhere that it's a requirement for tourists in Germany (or maybe everyone?) to carry some sort of ID with them at all times. Would my US drivers license be sufficient, or do I have to carry my passport? If it's the latter, that seems to contradict most advice I hear that says to leave the passport locked up in a hotel safe.

And would anyone happen to know if the UK has the same requirements? I didn't want to start 2 threads on this if I didn't have to.

Thanks

Yes, by law you're required to possess ID at all times. For non-EU nationals, the only acceptable form of ID is a passport. In general, the perception in Europe is that driver's licenses attest to the ability of an individual to drive a motorized vehicle, and not to the individual's identity. It's uncommon to use the license as ID, and officials potentially asking for an ID will most likely be a little confused.

In practice however, you will not ever need to show ID unless you're involved in some sort of incident, and in such a case I would say you'd be fine with a photocopy of your passport. Contrary to popular belief, the police are reasonable and common-sensical, so as long as you say 'here's a copy, the original is at the hotel for safekeeping', you should be fine. It's not like in the US where you have to show ID even for simple things.

and thankfully the UK has no such requirement (yet).

Just to drive the message home: In the past twenty years of living as an adult in Germany I was IDed exactly ONCE by the police, and this was when there was a break out at a prison and they stopped everybody. The only other place apart from the borders where one has to identify oneself is usually when checking in at hotels.

Technically, no. By law in Germany you are required to have a passport and are required to show it upon request to officials. You are not required to carry it with you. If you were stopped for ID, though, and didn't have an acceptable document, you could be detained for identification.

When in Germany, I carry at all times a copy of my passport and residence permit (when I am resident), my driver's license, and, now, my US Passport Card.

I've never been stopped for ID in Germany, though I have seen people stopped before. It's not random.
These checks often occur at train stations and internet cafes.

You should be fine with a photocopy of your passport just in case police is checking.
If the police officer is not satisfied (very unlikely) you may be asked to go with the officer to the place where the passport is safekept to show it. If that place is considered too far away the police will certainly find a way to verify your identity - might be a hasssle then but not a serious problem for you !!!

(e.g.: if your accommodation is in a different city they may send a local officer to that place and check the passport - you would certainly permit the hotel staff to hand over the passport to a police officer, don´t you ??? )

Very good answers so far. A photocopy will do the trick, perhaps even a DL but I'd go with a photocopy of the passport. Besides that the chances of you being mugged or robbed in Germany are very slim. Crime rates (especially violent crimes and gun crimes) are way lower than in the USA.

Police is most likely not going to stop you at any point during your travel, unless, as previously and correctly stated, you are in a car accident or something like that.

Every German is required starting at age 16 to carry a personal ID (not a passport). Theoretically they can stop you any time and run your ID. If they don't find anything they MUST let you go. You will find several things, cops are less martial looking, less power-trippy and better educated/trained in Germany. After that, they are still cops.

I have never ever been stopped and asked for an ID in Germany, not once. I have seen them stop and id people who are not white (yes, we got racial profiling, too) to fight illegal immigration. I have also seen them stop and id punks or skinheads, the former for drug checks and to make sure the mayor's son wasn't loose again, the latter to fight right-wing (nazi-like) organizations.

So no big deal.

That´s all correct !
May i add that principly there are just a few occasions that require to show ID next to the already mentioned ones:

1) If taking advantage of any special discounts anywhere depending on your age (student/youth/senior citizen discounts) - though that does not neccessarily require a passport - anything "official" showing your age would usually do !
2) When staying some time here and opening a bank account.
3) When buying a German SIM-card (for your cell phone) no matter if it´s with a contract or a pre-paid one !!!
4)If sending "poste restante" to the local post office where you´re staying.
5) In case of emergency where someone at home will send money through Western Union/Moneygram.

I don't know why this tale always comes up again. You do not need to carry an ID in Germany. Period.
However, you have to be able to proof your ID if requested (as mentioned by soitgoes), which is something different.

Indeed it is.
There's a convenience factor to having the ID with you (and I'd never travel anywhere overnight without my passport coming with me--even in the US, though), but you will have broken no rules/laws if you do not have your passport/ID on your person if stopped.

In Russia and the Netherlands, for example, there are ID-carrying requirements (but not in Germany).

possess, not carry

... however, if you are not able to identify yourself you are at least in inconvenience. Having said this, it is not an obligation, however you are better off carrying it around....

And in Germany, there is actually no strange artificial discussion about this at all. We have it, it is a thin little plastic thing and I always have it in my purse. So what? In the US you have your driver's license, which would not be helpful at all in Germany because it does not carry and adress, we have our ID cards.

Actually US driver's license do have an address, age/description, date of birth, and an official. I can certainly understand that German cops are not required to know what all 50 different driver's license look like. [Most doormen at pubs/bars have a hard time figuring out out-of-state DL's!]

HTSC

However, this does not result in a US driving license being a valid ID in Germany. I only tried to explain, why Germany does not even think about accepting a driving license as an ID = the lack of address

I didn't disagree. I was simply confirming that US driver's licenses have the information listed in my post above...

HTSC