Entered Germany with US passport but leaving Europe with EU passport, complications?
I am a US/German dual citizen about to start studies in Switzerland in a month. Previously, I traveled in Europe for about 2 months on a US passport. While in Europe, I received a German passport. I plan to leave Switzerland in 6 months and travel back to the US. I am aware that US citizens are given only 3 months in the Schengen zone. Will this lead to any complications even if I leave on my German passport? Will either of my passports be affected?
Best Answer
The only problem I can see regarding the passports is that the "trail of stamps" on your US passport shows you still in Schengen. This could irritate some third country visa officials, but not those from the Schengen zone (if you show them your German passport, old stamps are no issue).
- I presume that you got a fresh German passport, not a fresh citizenship, or the dual citizenship might be a problem.
- In the future it would be a good idea to use the German passport to enter the EU, fewer complications and questions that way.
- If you are worried that your German passport might expire at an inconvenient time in the future, you can apply for a German identity card even if you are not resident in Germany. It might be clever to get one in a few years, so that the validity periods of the passport and the identity card overlap -- if the passport is just expired the ID card is still valid, and vice versa. The ID card allows you to travel in the EU and some other countries. Of course that means going through the renewal twice that often, so YMMV.
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Is there passport control between EU countries?
Since no checks are carried out at the borders between Schengen Member States, EU countries have decided to join forces to attain the objective of improving security through efficient external border controls, while still facilitating access of persons who have a legitimate interest to enter the EU territory.Can I travel to EU with US passport?
With a valid U.S. passport, you can stay up to 90 days for tourism or business during any 180-day period. Do not overstay! You must wait an additional 90 days before applying to re-enter the Schengen area. To stay longer than 90 days, you must have a visa.Can I leave Europe and come back?
Only days you are in the zone during the period count. If you go on January 1st and stay 90 straight days, you have to leave and technically can't come back until July 1st. However, not all travelers are allowed such freedom. Citizens from many countries need to apply for a Schengen visa ahead of time.Can I still go through EU passport control after Brexit?
If you are going on holiday you won't need a visa for short trips to Europe. You can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. At border control you may need to show a return ticket and that you have enough money for your stay. When going through passport control you may not be able to use the EU or EEA lanes.Traveling with two passports - I almost got arrested | Jure Sanguinis Italian Dual Citizenship
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Answer 2
As a German citizen, you do of course have the right to enter, leave and stay in Germany as you please.
In practice, you shouldn't have problems using the German passport for the EU in the future.
However, you should assume that your US passport is "in the system", and will be marked as overstayed. Note that passports are usually electronically scanned at border crossings - wether or not you get an actual stamp. The Schengen does not have an electronic entrance/exit database (yet), though you still may be questioned if you miss the exit stamp.
You could also just go on a brief trip outside the Schengen to get the exit stamp, and re-enter on the German one.
Nevertheless it makes sense to use the German Passport any EU travel in the future, to avoid any misunderstandings (US law requires you to always use the US passport when going there).
For third countries, it makes obvious sense to always use the passport that is most convenient for the destination country...
If you're living abroad when your German passport expires, you can renew it at the German embassy.
Disclaimer: Nothing I say should be taken as professional legal advice. If you have doubts, ask a legal counsel. Especially true if you just naturalised; in this cases there arcane rules to retaining dual citizenship, which are beyond the scope of this answer.
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