eurotramp

I'm a German living in the UK

Yes it is true...you have to have am ID but you don't have to carry it around

jdr

So what is the point in that, apart from having to sit in a cell till someone goes and gets it for you. lol

majorlee

in the UK if a copper asks yhou for your name and address

just answer, AM I OBLIGED TO GIVE YOU THOSE DETAILS OFFICER?

if he/she says yes then they are commiting fraud as you do not have to make joinder with them, unless u have broken the law

should be our right to go whevever we wish without being harrassed by officers of the law

i have been stopped on my bike in germany (control, control!) i spoke in english to them, they waved bye and drove off lol!!!!



i would really like to know if it is compulsury or not, as many Germans i have found out are not sure about it, but most just follow orders (still have not learnt there lesson from 1930/40's) just to keep the status quo.

i wonder if there is common law in germany?

Mitzyboy

And then you make a whole you world of sh!t for yourself as they cart you off to the local police station and screw your day up for you whilst they make further enquiries

HBG

It's true that, unlike other Europeans countries, you don't need to carry any identification documents in the UK and you could refuse to answer any questions when stopped by a police officer.

What do you think would happen next? The worst scenario would see you locked up for at least 24 days under the terrorist legislation.

What's the least unpleasant thing that could happen? You would, of course, be arrested and taken in for questioning. As an unidentified suspect, possibly an illegal immigrant, the police could take your fingerprints and DNA samples, and you would have to wait around for a bit.

If you were a real tough nut, and obstinate enough, the charge sheet presented to the court at some stage would read: Unidentified male – charged under some legislation to protect UK citizens from people who disturb Her Majesty's Peace.

You're much better off found without papers in Germany, the UK police are a lot stricter.

eurotramp

Charming...for somebody who is new to the forum and if you would have read the answer before you would by now have the answer to the question if it is
compulsory or not

exvj

Obstructing a Police officer in the execution of his duty -Police Act 1964 section 51. If you drop litter it isnt an arrestable offence, but if the Officer asks for your name and address and you refuse, you will be arrested for obstruction.

The Police in England and Germany have ways of getting their own way - so barrack room lawyers beware or you will end up like so many amateurs who tried to mix it with professionals who are used to dealing with the 'urban myth' crowd every day

Drinking dishwater tea out of a chipped enamel cup is no fun and not worth the bravado

THR

I'm sure that there is not one country anywhere where you can tell a police officer to mind his own business if he asks your name.

exvj

Especially Pyongyang or Texas

THR

Does everyone in Germany have some sort of a social security number which every legal resident remembers by heart?

eurotramp

Yes and no.

All have a Rentenversicherungsnummer and no..we don't know it by heart

exvj

It could be tattooed on the forearm so it cant be forgotten

That was a tasteless joke by the way - I love Germany apart from the 'boiled pigs knuckles' etc

Muenchen is my favourite and no, I have never been to the Oktoberfest

Actually I was the Geschäftsführer of a company in Munich and although German formalities are plenty, it's not a quarter as bad as dealing with the IRS where anything can happen

I had to swear to uphold the laws of Germany before a senior legal official. He had a Bobby Charlton hair do - a wisp of hair that curled right round his head but otherwise totally bald

He was introduced to me in a very formal setting as 'Herr Bender' and I nearly choked. I can remember the sheer effort of holding back the tears

spankysparkle

nohinsara

I'm the same.. Dual for UK and Canada. Technically we are required to carry our British Passports around with us. I never did so in my 2 years here, however, and the only trouble I've run into was once instance where I was refused sale of a lottery ticket because of it.
However, the PPs are right, it is required. So I now carry a photocopy of it because I refuse to risk losing my British Passport.. simply too expensive to replace! Don't know really if that fulfills my duty to carry ID but so far so good

MrNosey

To finally put this one to bed. You must have valid identification when resident in Germany, ie a valid (non-expired) UK passport BUT you do not have to carry it with you at all times. Of course, it may be sensible to have id (or a photocopy) with you just in case you need to prove you are who you say you are it is not required by law.