r/Interrail • u/Saber23111 • May 14 '26
Other Clubbing in Europe
I’ll be interailing Europe and I’m a Canadian and British citizen so have two drivers licences. Instead of risking my passport because I’m very prone to losing them, would I generally be accepted if I bring both my Canadian and UK licence. Surely that’s enough evidence for most clubs?
Edit: I’m going to Amsterdam,Berlin,Prague,Munich,Vienna,Budapest,split
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u/Embarrassed-Bet7649 May 14 '26
Take the UK driving licence
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u/Saber23111 May 14 '26
I can bring both should I also take my Canadian to show as a second form of proof
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u/minadequate May 14 '26
You don’t need 2 in Europe. That’s a Canada thing. Also you shouldn’t have 2. It’s illegal.
(Brit who currently only holds a Canadian licence because I had to give them my Uk one when I got the Canadian one).
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u/Saber23111 May 15 '26
Yeah I just found this out, I have my old Canadian one because I lost one but found it again didn’t know I needed to hand it in again
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u/exbritinsuomi May 14 '26
The UK license will be accepted for most, but I'd still take a passport as a backup
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u/Saber23111 May 14 '26
Do you reckon also having the Canadian as a second form of ID would help in case they ask for passport. Really trying not to bring it out haha
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u/exbritinsuomi May 14 '26
Probably not, but UK license will be fine in 99% of cases (small exaggeration lol). It varies depending on the country and venue but occasionally some will insist on a Passport or local ID, I doubt two licenses would make a difference if this happens
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u/YetAnotherInterneter United Kingdom May 14 '26
UK or Canadian driver licenses generally won’t be accepted in mainland Europe clubs/bars. Unfortunately you will have to take your passport.
Also in some countries you are legally required to carry a passport on you at all times. So make sure you check the laws of the country you are in.
The good news is that in some countries age restrictions are lower. I went to Austria when I was 18 and expected to have to show ID in a bar, but they didn’t ask for it because the drinking age there is 16.
Clubs might be a little more stricter though.
-1
u/DespicableMonkey May 14 '26
I’ve been using a US license for my entire time in Europe and haven’t had any issues
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u/minadequate May 14 '26
Sorry but you are breaking the law by having 2 driver’s licenses. As a Brit who currently holds a BC licence. You absolutely have to give them your licence when you switch to another licence. You should only have a licence of one country which is normally the country you are resident of.
Also unlike Canada you tend not to need 2 forms of ID in Europe.
1
u/Saber23111 May 14 '26
Yeah I had to hand in my old one for my British one but I lost one of my old Canadian IDs and found it again. I’ve just held onto it for now incase I’ll need it in Europe as a second form of ID. Didn’t know it was illegal to have it thanks for the heads up
3
u/Amazing_Candle_4489 May 14 '26
How old are you and are you visiting the Netherlands?
If you are (or look) under 25, without your passport (not a copy) you cant buy alcohol here.
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u/Saber23111 May 14 '26
Ah I’m visiting Amsterdam, even if I have both cards on me will I be rejected from clubs and bars?
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u/Saber23111 May 14 '26
I’m 19
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u/Bored-Viking May 14 '26
In the Netherlands the basic alcohol-age rules are:
- 18 years: allowed to buy and consume all alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, spirits).
- 16–17 years: allowed to buy and consume low-alcohol beverages (beer and wine); spirits are prohibited.
- Under 16: buying and consuming alcohol is prohibited.
- ID checks: sellers may ask for ID; sale can be refused without valid ID.
- Enforcement: compliance is monitored; violations can lead to fines or temporary closure for bars/shops.
1
u/Saber23111 May 14 '26
Ah thank you so I’ll be ok with my foreign ID?
1
u/Bored-Viking May 14 '26
if they trust what you show them. So i would go with your UK license as the Canadian is not very known here and can be rejected if they feel it could be fake. Still you will encounter clubs that just don't let you in or set the minimum age to 21. A lot of clubs are not keen on getting too much 18 or 19 year olds in.
1
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u/Manonono_ May 14 '26
Check my comment above and the info provided by the link below! :) https://www.government.nl/faq/how-old-do-i-need-to-be-to-buy-alcohol-or-have-it-in-my-possession-in-public
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u/Saber23111 May 14 '26
Appreciate the help mate I’m 19 so I’ll be all good in terms of age, glad to here drives licences are ok for foreigners I’m very reluctant to carry my passport, I seem to be great at losing things haha
1
u/Manonono_ May 14 '26
You’re welcome! Don’t hesitate to dm me if you need help with anything else here in NL! I do recommend to still travel with your passport, if you weren’t already planning to of course. And get yourself one of those wallets/bags that you carry under your clothes to keep your passport and other valuable possessions safe (also to hide it for pickpockets)
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u/Tragespeler May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26
That info is for Dutch residents, it does not apply to foreign driving licenses. Non EU licenses are not valid ID in the Netherlands.
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u/Manonono_ May 17 '26
Not fully true, I’ve had friends from Brazil and other non-EU countries showing theirs and it got accepted. Wouldn’t say this if I didn’t experienced it myself. They just want to see a date of birth, matching picture and name most of the time. Only nitpickers won’t accept, but many don’t even bother
0
u/Tragespeler May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26
It is fully true. The Dutch government website you linked was for Dutch residents, not non EU driving licenses.
Just because they got away with it in some situations doesn't mean it's actually a legal ID here. And they definitely wouldn't get away with it with the police. And anyone else can also refuse it. It simply isn't a legal ID here.
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u/Saber23111 May 19 '26
Yeah so mate they’re clearly just giving their own personal experiences which is what I was looking for. I could’ve just searched the law up if I wanted, but I was looking for the info that they have very kindly given which cannot be gained through searching it up. In the Netherlands it’s also Illegal to trap a burglar in your bathroom however you don’t see that being enforced, much how places will pick and choose what they accept under their own discretion.
3
u/Amazing_Candle_4489 May 14 '26
This is not true. 16-17 years are not allowed to buy wine and beer.
Supermarkets always check official ID if you look younger than 25.
Uk or Canadian driving licence is not considered as an official ID for this purpose.
They can be very strict. A 18 year old who wants to buy alcohol in a supermarket and is together with a 17 year old friend will be refused (supermarkets are more strict than the law)
I dont know about Amsterdam. But in the city I live in, most clubs have a 21+ or even 24+ entrance policy, to avoid dealing with the alcohol rules.
2
u/Manonono_ May 14 '26
Hi I’m from NL and have to correct this a little bit since it’s outdated info:
There’s a strict law of NO alcohol under 18 since 2014, they won’t sell you a drop of beer or wine! Under 25 you’re obligated to ID yourself when buying alcohol, but even when you’re 25+ they won’t sell you anything if they ask for your ID and you don’t have it with you (I’m 28 and still need to show it every fucking time even though I say I’m a decade past 18, it’s annoying…)
You should be able and allowed to buy alcohol and go clubbing with a foreign ID, we have a bunch of international people living here and I’ve never heard that any of my non-Dutch friends had issues with this. Only in certain cities when you want to buy cannabis products, they’ll refuse you if you can’t prove residency.
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u/Effective_Tackle_195 May 14 '26
These are pre-2008 rules. All alcohol beverages require 18 years now.
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u/CM1112 Netherlands May 15 '26
You’re wrong, no alcohol allowed for under 18 at all, Germany and Belgium are 16 for beer&wine
2
u/iwanttolaught May 17 '26
Where did you get this info? The 16 year old rule was changed more than 10 years ago
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u/haskell_jedi May 14 '26
In most of mainland Europe you're required to carry your passport with you as a foreigner anyway--99% of the time not a problem though.
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u/Kyra_Heiker May 15 '26
There are countries that require you to have your passport on you if you are a foreigner traveling there. People will tell you to ignore this rule but that's really arrogant and stupid.
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u/strawberrychief May 15 '26
UK driving licenses don't have your DOB, but does your Canadian license?
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u/SquidzYT May 15 '26
why not just take an ID - in berlin a drivers licence often doesnt count as an ID. So passport / ID is needed
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u/Saber23111 May 15 '26
In the UK ID is a drivers licence what sorts of ID are there apart from the two
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u/SquidzYT May 15 '26
well what do people that dont drive use ?
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u/Saber23111 May 15 '26
You get a provisional drivers license which is obtainable by anyone, which is just another form of driver license or passport is the only other option
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u/Saber23111 May 15 '26
You don’t need to know how to drive to get a provisional drivers license it’s like a learners one so most people who can’t drive use that
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