Can a dual US-Bulgarian citizen travel to the Schengen area with a passport that expires in 3 months?

I have the following situation: I'm travelling next week with my children from Chicago-via Berlin- to Sofia (Bulgaria). We all have dual citizenship and both passports- US and Bulgarian. My US passport and my son's too expire Sept 18, 2015. Our Bulgarian passports are ok. We are planning a return from Sofia-via Berlin- to Chicago on Aug 12. I was told by my agent to check about the NEW VALIDITY rule of Germany. Can someone help? My logic tells me that we will make it to Bulgaria, but on the way back will the German authorities let us come back to the US?

schengen passports

Best Answer

As a Bulgarian passport holder, you are an EU citizen. Germany cannot prevent you from entering Germany on the basis of your citizenship. You should have no problem returning to the US through Berlin.

At check-in on your return trip, the airline will check your US passport to ensure that you have the right to enter the US in Chicago.

When passing through exit passport control in Berlin, be sure to use the same passport that you used to enter Berlin. This will probably be your Bulgarian passport, as the Schengen visa rules require that visitors have a passport valid for 3 months after the planned date of departure, and your US passports do not meet that requirement.

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How many days before Schengen Visa expires can I travel?

For double or multiple entry (circulation visa) Schengen visas, the validity of the visa ranges from 6 months to 5 years. The holder may travel one or several times for up to 90 days over a 180-day period. The validity of the Schengen visa is indicated on the visa attached to the traveller's passport.

Can I travel to Europe with an expired passport?

Recently expired U.S. passports cannot be used to travel from the United States to an international destination or to travel to a foreign country for any length of stay longer than an airport connection en route to the United States or to a United States territory.

What is the Schengen 90 day rule?

Under the terms of Schengen, non-EEA nationals cannot spend more than a total of 90 days within a total period of 180 days without a visa. Furthermore, once you've used up your quota of 90 days, you cannot return to Schengen until 90 more days have passed.

How long do you need on your passport to travel to Bulgaria?

Your U.S. passport must be valid for at least three (3) months from the expected date of departure from Bulgaria. U.S. citizens traveling on regular tourist passports cannot stay more than a total of 90 days in Bulgaria within a 6 month-period without a Bulgarian visa.

THE SCHENGEN ZONE TRAVEL EXPLAINED - DIGITAL NOMAD TV

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