should i keep my passport on me at all times?

[bebo1901]

ok first Happy Holidays to everyone...
my question is, well i'm new to this EU free movement, i'm going on holiday in another EU country, should i keep my EU passport on me at all times?

thanks

[catch_hunter]

Only when you are traveling between countries boarding on plane or ferries, otherwise it is not needed if you are roaming around in cities. Anyways, main-land EU countries are covered by the Schengen agreement so they don't have border checks there on roads. Air-travel between schengen countries will require identity proof, which may require you to have your passport. Please read this.

[bebo1901]

Thanks for your answer.
I don't really mean about the borders or travelling. i mean walking in the streets, going out..etc because Ireland doesn't have EU National ID and as i wasn't born in Ireland my Driving License will not be a proof of me being an EU citizen or an Irish citizen because the place of birth is non EU.

[jeupsy]

Your choice. Personally it depends on what I feel is the safest place for it. If I am going to spend the day in a neighborhood that is full of pick-pockets targeting tourists, and my hotel seems respectable and has a safe in the room - I'd probably leave it in the safe.
If I don't feel there is any particular danger where I am going I would usually keep it with me.

It would be quite unlikely for it to happen to you, but in many countries the police is entitled to carry out random ID checks in the streets. If this was to happen and you didn't have your passport with you, I don't think they would be harsh on you before giving you a chance to prove you are an EU citizen, but having to go back to wherever you left your passport with a police escort might not be the most enjoyable thing to do when you are on holidays.

So in any case do have a photocopy or a scanned version of your passport available, and carry this with you if you are walking around passport-less.

I don't understand why Ireland doesn't issue credit card sized national ID cards, we could easily keep them in our wallet at all time and things wold be much easiers.