One-way ticket travelling to EU with non-EU wife and children

I am a Greek citizen, my wife is Colombian (does not require a visa to enter the union for 90 days), our children are Australian citizens (they don't require a visa to enter the union for 90 days) (they are also Greek citizens in theory from birth but due to the perversion of the Greek system they cannot exercise that right before we have passed a number of bureaucratic hurdles that take a very long time).

We want to travel to Greece from Sydney and stay for a longer period than 90 days. My wife is registered as my wife with the Greek authorities. In practice there is no way she will not be allowed to stay indefinitely if she wants to. The same holds for my children.

The airline QATAR (they use IATA/TIMATIC) however do mention that she may be denied passage at the airport if she does not have a return or onwards ticket.

Can she (and my children) really be denied passage for that reason?

(I know for a fact that she cannot be denied entry as she is entitled to enter the EU with me at all times as long as we can prove that we are married, see the Europa link below)

Is there something that I can do? (I have already sent a question to the EU through the europa portal here: http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-family/index_en.htm)

UPDATE: As expected the answer from the EU commission website came and it said that we are fine to travel on a one-way ticket as far as EU law is concerned.

UPDATE2: I have contacted TIMATIC (https://www.timaticweb2.com/contact) with that and I am waiting for their answer.

UPDATE3 (After the travel): I can report that we were not even asked about onward travel, but that probably should not be relied upon, as unfortunately the behaviour of the airline staff seems to be random in applying their misinformation (as I later found out when another relative from Colombia traveled here and had trouble in Medellin for a different reason). Good luck

eu one-way qatar-airways iata

Best Answer

Can she really be denied passage for that reason?

Yes your wife can be denied boarding for not holding return/onward ticket if she is entering EU as a non EU national. Although as a Colombian, she cay stay in Schengen for up to 90 days within 180 days calender year, but still she can be asked to provide return air ticket by airline and border official in EU countries.

There are few requirements if your wife entering as a non EU citizen and return/roundtrip ticket is also one of the requirement:

Source: Europa.eu

"Border officials in EU countries may ask for other supporting documents such as an invitation letter, proof of lodging, return or round-trip ticket. For the precise requirements contact the local consular services of the EU country in question."

However your query regarding Qatar airways (IATA/TIMATIC) yield the following result in official Qatar airways website:

Source:Qatar airways

National Colombia (CO) /Residence Australia (AU) Embarkation Australia (AU) /Destination Greece (GR)

Greece (GR)

Passport required. - Passports and other documents accepted for entry must be valid for a minimum of 3 months beyond the period of intended stay.

Visa required, except for Nationals of Colombia for a maximum

stay of 90 days. (SEE NOTE 56269) NOTE 56269: The max. stay is granted within 180 days. Additional Information:

Visitors are required to hold necessary documents for their next destination and proof of sufficient funds to cover

their stay .
Valid visas in full, invalidated travel documents are accepted provided accompanied by a new travel document.

Warning:

Passports and/or passport replacing documents issued more than 10 years prior to date of travel are not accepted.
Visitors not holding return/onward tickets could be refused entry .

Therefore Qatar airways expecting to meet all the above requirement and return/onward ticket is a must and listed as a warning. This is also a requirement by border officials in EU countries.

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Can my non-EU spouse travel with me?

Travelling in the EU with your non-EU family members Under EU rules, you have the right to travel together with your core family members (non-EU spouse, children, dependent parents or dependent grandparents) to an EU country other than the one you are a national of.

Can EU family member travel to EU without visa?

After you receive your residence card as a family member of an EU citizen, you can freely travel to any other EU country. You can travel as a tourist for up to three months in a six-month period. You can also travel to many other non-EU/Schengen countries without a visa.

Can I travel with my non-EU spouse to UK?

Travel to the UK If you have UK Settled or Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you can continue to enter the UK with a valid passport or identity card. Your non-EU family members who also have UK settled or pre-settled status can enter the UK with a valid passport.

Can I travel to Europe with children?

Can unvaccinated children travel to Europe? Generally speaking, yes. Children under 12 are typically exempt from vaccination requirements in most countries but many require that children between the age of 12 and 18 have received the primary vaccine course to avoid testing rules.

How to Register non Eu Family in Europe | Traveler777

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