one-way plane ticket to europe ok?

You cannot stay indefinitely without official permission. As a tourist, you are limited I believe to 90 days in a 3 month period anywhere in the European Union. I think you should change your ticket to a round trip, but an "open jaw"...in other words, flying home out of a different city than you flew into. Your ticket must have been quite expensive, so I wouldn't expect that you would have any difficulty paying a change fee.

There have been reports, third hand, of people being questioned by immigrations about a return ticket. I don't think anyone on this site has reported personal experience. In all probability you will not have a problem but there is always the possibility that the immigration officer might ask if he becomes suspicious of your plans. They, same as the US, are trying to prevent illegal immigration and folks overstaying their visa. Probably would have been smarter to have purchased a RT tickets and then pay the charge fee when you actually decided to return. Remember you have 90 days. Overstay a day or two and that could be a more expensive problem than not having a return ticket.

The Shengen restrictions are actually 90 out of 180 days. I must have entered the zone half a dozen times last year - - only once with evidence of onward transportation. I was never asked about it. In fact, I've never noticed anybody having to flash tickets going through immigration control

Thanks for your responses; I appreciate it. It's my son who's traveling actually, and his stay will be anywhere from 10 days up to 2 months. That is not the issue. The issue is arriving in Spain without a return ticket. - I gather there's no way to be sure they'll let him in, so I guess he's going to have to buy the other half of this "open jaw."
...The Spanish consulate wrote me that "...he may not be allowed in the country." - Same as everyone else is basically saying. Oh well.

There's also the questioning he'd encounter here before leaving. If I remember correctly, the 9/11 hijackers were all flying on one-way tickets. We used to get the full pat-down just flying standby (this is before the recent pat-downs and full-body screeners), even my toddler son.

David - Round trip tickets are usually cheaper even with the change fee to change your return. Just last week I checked on a one way ticket back from Rome to SF and it was over $2600. A round trip either out of the SF or Rome was around $800. Did you score a good deal on your one way ticket? If so, please let share.

wow, $800 sounds pretty cheap. this one-way ticket was $600.

David,
I was questioned once when travelling on one-way ticket. It was 20 years ago and they used to sell youth fares that could only be purchased 72 hours before departure. When I arrived in the UK (with my backpack), I was asked to show my return ticket which of course I did not have. I explained why I did not have it. I was then asked to show all my funds (back then it was travelers checks) and credit card. Once this was done, immigration officer was satisfied that I had funds and I went through. Odds are he will not be asked. However, if he is asked when he comes in how long he is staying, he needs to give a correct (but truthful) reply. Make sure he does not say something like "I don't know." I can pretty much guarantee that he will have to check in with a person and he may be asked questions by airline. On my last trip, I used two one-way frequent flyer tickets. I was unable to use either online check-in or the kiosk to check-in. Airline did ask me about my return trip. For future reference it is usually cheaper to buy a round-trip ticket and pick a return date. Typically, if you want to change the date, you pay a change fee (usually $150 to $250) and if the airfare has increased, you pay the difference. When did you buy the ticket? Some airlines will let you cancel/change within 24 hours of purchase.

thanks a lot laura. i think you and everyone are right: might be a few challenges, but it probably could work out fine. trouble is, it might not. no chance for a refund or anything; just have to make a decision on buying a one-way return ticket. - any thoughts on that? ...I'm assuming that any one-way return ticket ought to solve the problem.
david

re Frank's comment above. We flew to Munich in 2006, the immigration agent was very picky and asked whether we had return tickets, then insisted on seeing them.

David, As the others (including the Spanish Consulte) have mentioned, your Son could have a problem travelling with a one-way ticket. Due to the current "security climate", those raise a "red flag" with officials. I'd suggest speaking to a Travel Agent to see if it's possible to get a return ticket with a flexible return date. If available, that should allay any concerns with the Immigration officials. You're already aware of the 90-day Schengen Limit, but be sure that your Son is careful not to "extend" his trip and exceed that. There was one post here not too long ago from someone who's daughter exceeded the limit by a few days, and she was fined a HUGE sum of money. Good luck!

"It's my son who's traveling actually, and his stay will be anywhere from 10 days up to 2 months. " Will he be there on a work assignment, or as a student, or ??? When will he know just how long he'll be there? (that has to happen at SOME point...) I've never purchased an airline ticket that couldn't be changed (for a change fee and perhaps a difference-in-ticket-price charge)...and I buy the cheapest tickets offered!

Once again, gotta say thanks to everyone. This is my second time using a forum of this nature, and I am very impressed with the possibility of connecting with people who are willing and able to offer the benefit of their experience and knowledge. It's just a good thing happening in the world that escapes the attention of most. Well, I have shared with my son what I have learned and considered from your comments. Let's wait and see what he actually does and how it turns out and I'll try to remember to come back here and let you know.

This past week there was a leetter to the LA times, some guy had travelled to Europe on business on a return tickte and changed his mind- did not use one of the legs. he was billed for the difference between one way and return fare. Only resolved after six months with aid of an ombudsman. You may think you got away with it and then find a big charge on your credit card- all legal cause its in the fine print