Netherlands - Passport information

[budlover]

Why do some coffeeshops take your personal information? What is it used for? Is this a common practice? Is it safe?

[Alfa]

AFAIK it is only for age verification. If an underaged person is found in the coffeeshop, it means closing of the coffeeshop.

[Bajeda]

I also believe it is a law that you need to have your passport with you at all times now in the Netherlands, at least if you are a foreigner. Not sure, though I was told this last time I was there. If so it would make sense that the shops would check that as its not likely people will have fakes.

[Goodall]

when i was in the dam, about a month ago, we (myself and some friends) were only asked for ID in one coffee shop, and we went to a fair few in the 5 days that were were in the dam. With regards to having to carry your passport with you at all times im not too sure about that, as when we were there a quite nice girl at one of the camping sites (camping zeeburg if your really interested) said that she needed one of our passports kept behind the desk. I imagine it was incase we broke stuff or tried to get away without paying, but she also said it would be ok for my 2 friends to keep thier passports behind the counter too, as apparently some of the more shady characters in the dam have been known to mug tourits for thier passports and cash.

[neversummer]

You dont need your passport at all times, coffee shops accept US drivers liscences as ID's. they dont take your personal information they have no reason to, if they do I wouldnt stay. Passports are easy for them though

[yaba]

When swim lived in Amsterdam (he is Dutch) There was never a need for a paspoort. Has it changed in the last 7 years ?

[weebl]

Passport is used for age verification and yes you are obligated to carry a passport with you at all times, or European identification card.

[rocksmokinmachine]

One should carry a passport (or other form of ID) on them at all times.

[Psych0naut]

The identification duty in the Netherlands means anyone should be able to identify themselves to law enforcement if one has committed a crime, or when there is a threat of terrorist attacks. Only official identification papers are allowed, which are Passports, European identity cards and European drivers licences, if one cannot provide official identification papers when asked, one will be fined. In coffeeshops, one needs identification papers to be able to prove one is 18 or older, but one does not need official identification papers, most other proof will do as well, as long as it doesn't look easilly forgeable.

[ianzombie]

I go to amsterdam roughly 3 times a year.
The only reason you would be asked for your passport is if you looked underage.

[rocksmokinmachine]

Its not just because one looks underage. Coffeeshops will loose thier license if caught selling cannabis to minors. SWIM has been ID'd recently and does definately look his age. It is the duty of the coffeeshop staff to check all ID, as if a police check was to occur (which they do) the business would be in jeoprady.

SWIM has seen 30 year olds get carded, and taken real offence.