Starting next year, travelers may enter hotels using a wider set of documents beyond a traditional passport. In addition to a driver’s license, a foreign passport and an electronic version of the passport will be accepted for hotel check‑in through the electronic hotel guest system. This development comes as the Ministry of Economic Development has completed a draft decision that expands the list of documents eligible for hotel registration, as reported by the newspaper News. The change is designed to streamline the arrival experience for visitors and residents alike, aligning hotel procedures with modern identity verification methods that many people already use in daily life and at other border and service points.
Under the revised Rules for the Provision of Hotel Services, a contract with a hotel could be established not solely on the basis of a passport, but also through a broader range of documentation. The primary aim of this reform is to simplify settlement and registration processes for Russian citizens by permitting alternative documents to verify identity. This includes the use of digital or electronic formats that can be checked prior to arrival or during the hotel stay. The reforms are anticipated to take effect on July 1, subject to final administrative approvals, bringing a notable shift in how travelers confirm their identities when booking and checking into accommodations across the country.
The conversation about expanding accepted documents has been ongoing for some time. A deputy chairman of the State Duma, Boris Chernyshov, has highlighted a wide array of alternatives to the traditional passport. He pointed to options such as a driver’s license and QR codes generated by the State Services portal, underscoring a push toward a more flexible identity system. Nevertheless, a compromise involving pension documents did not win support, indicating that policymakers are weighing practicality against security and standardization concerns as they consider how best to implement broader verification methods for lodging and related services.
Industry voices, including airline representatives, have also supported the idea of allowing check-ins using foreign passports. Travelers have observed that an internal Russian passport may not be a required or even useful document when abroad, encouraging a shift toward internationally recognized forms of identification. This sentiment reflects a broader trend in travel where digital wallets and cross-border recognition of ID documents are becoming more commonplace, reducing friction for international visitors who must present valid identification at various service points, including hotels and airports.
When disruptions occur, such as flight delays or cancellations, the ability to secure hotel accommodations without being constrained by passport availability becomes particularly valuable. In such scenarios, the option to use alternative documents can provide continuity of travel plans and access to immediate lodging, which helps minimize stress for passengers in transit. The reform is seen as a practical response to unpredictable travel conditions, ensuring that passengers have reliable options to rest and recover while awaiting rescheduled flights or during extended layovers, especially in busy travel hubs across the nation.
There are real-world situations where not carrying a passport can pose challenges. For instance, a person traveling to a neighboring city for a short stopover without the intention of spending the night might still encounter a vehicle breakdown or other emergencies. In these cases, having the ability to present a driver’s license or an electronic version of identity could prove extremely useful, enabling timely hotel access and facilitating safe, temporary lodging for the night or emergency wait times. The proposed updates thus aim to enhance mobility and reduce the risk of disruption stemming from missing traditional documentation, reflecting a broader, traveler-centric approach to accommodation registration.
The discussion of broader acceptance is not new in the international context. A recent note on regional developments referenced Indonesia, where a growing interest in diversified identity verification processes and the emergence of various influential hubs reflects a global shift toward more flexible travel identities. The evolution of accommodation check-ins in response to these trends signals a future where guests can choose from a broader set of validated documents, including both physical and electronic forms, to verify their identities efficiently and securely during hotel stays across diverse destinations.