Can an American citizen, with an American passport, holding a residency permit from a European country, travel to Europe with a one-way ticket? I'm planning to purchase my return ticket to the U.S. while in Europe, but wanted to make sure I wouldn't have a problem at the airport. The last time I left the states for Europe, the ticket agent asked about my return ticket, which I did have at the time but it was on a diff. airline (although I did not tell him I had a EU residency permit). Please advise. I'm inclined to believe I won't need a return ticket if I have an EU residency permit. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Posted by
2081 posts
hi, i would like to know too. just for my info. happy trails.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10553 posts
You have a residency permit, so I don't see why not. You said a ticket agent questioned you. But you shouldn't be concerned about a ticket agent, just a passport control agent when you arrive. However, I don't think you have any problem for the following reason. It's kind of long, but just bear with me. I happen to have dual citizenship, though I travel with my (less expensive) US passport. Because of that I've never thought twice about going into the EU without a return ticket or having stamps in my US passport that are longer apart than the 90 days. However, the point is that I also don't remember ever being questioned about either a return ticket, or the length of time I've been in the country when I'm leaving the EU. Furthermore, the passport officials don't know I'm a dual. So I hope that is somewhat of an answer.
Posted by
Bern, Switzerland
1028 posts
Hi Nancy, I think the real problem for the airlines is that they are now fined by European airports for passengers that fail to clear immigration for simple reasons such as wrong documentation, so they have their own 'simple' check lists on who can fly. The best think to do is check with the airline what their rules are. Jim.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
I routinely enter Europe without a return ticket. I've never thought or been asked about it. I can't see what a residency permit would have to do with anything or who would even know to ask about it. As Bets said, airline employees have nothing to do with immigration details. Besides that, when you check in, you only present your ticket for that flight segment.
Posted by
Green Bay
20979 posts
My question is not immigration requirements, but price. Can you get a decent one way fare. My experience is that when traveling one way, the least expensive option was to buy a round trip ticket and throw away the return portion as that was cheaper than a one way ticket. So why would you not purchase a round trip with a return far in the future, then pay a change fee on the return when you decided on your return date.
Posted by
OP
los angeles, usa
2 posts
Thanks to all of you for you insightful info. I have checked and it will not be a problem since I have a residency permit. Also, I will purchase my RT ticket when I get there--it's actualy cheaper in some ways because I can buy it on a Diner's club card and we don't have to front all the money but make payments, if I so choose. I'll repost if I encounter any problems. Thanks, again!