Please explain like I am 5 - how to use two passports when traveling - with a twist

[Anonymous]

I recently received an EU passport. I'm a US citizen. This summer I'll be traveling from the US to the EU. Can someone clearly explain how/if/when to use the passports? Everything I see online contradicts itself, so I'm wondering if a DCUM genius can provide clear and definitive guidance.

Here is the twist: My name appears differently on the two passports. The EU passport dropped a name, so on the EU passport I am Jennifer Smith, but on the US passport I am Jennifer Twisty-Smith.

Is this correct?

1. Book the airline ticket with my U.S. passport and name, since I am departing from the U.S. and I live in the U.S.
2. When departing from the U.S. airport, I use my U.S. passport.
3. Upon arrival in the EU, I use my EU passport when going through customs and immigration, and for any internal EU flights.
4. When flying back home from the EU, which passport do I show? EU, since that's what was used to enter? Or U.S., since that's what matches the plane ticket--if I'm correct in #1?
5. After landing back in the U.S., show the U.S. passport when going through customs.

And could things get messed up due to the different names?

[Anonymous]

The name on your ticket needs to match the name on your passport. You also need to use the same passport for (re)entering/exiting a country. So for the U.S./France round-trip, you’re using one nationality or the other. You can’t mix and match to take advantage of the shorter lines for nationals on both ends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The name on your ticket needs to match the name on your passport. You also need to use the same passport for (re)entering/exiting a country. So for the U.S./France round-trip, you’re using one nationality or the other. You can’t mix and match to take advantage of the shorter lines for nationals on both ends.

Why not? Isn't this what most dual passport holders do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The name on your ticket needs to match the name on your passport. You also need to use the same passport for (re)entering/exiting a country. So for the U.S./France round-trip, you’re using one nationality or the other. You can’t mix and match to take advantage of the shorter lines for nationals on both ends.

Wrong, the OP is mostly correct in what they need to do: use US passport to enter US, and EU passport to enter EU and for travel within EU. We have being doing this for decades with both citizenships. Sometimes if you're going to a country where you would need a visa, and you're planning on using your non-US passport for entry, then you show both passports at check-in with the airline if they ask but many, many people travel like this and it's not a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The name on your ticket needs to match the name on your passport. You also need to use the same passport for (re)entering/exiting a country. So for the U.S./France round-trip, you’re using one nationality or the other. You can’t mix and match to take advantage of the shorter lines for nationals on both ends.

Wrong, the OP is mostly correct in what they need to do: use US passport to enter US, and EU passport to enter EU and for travel within EU. We have being doing this for decades with both citizenships. Sometimes if you're going to a country where you would need a visa, and you're planning on using your non-US passport for entry, then you show both passports at check-in with the airline if they ask but many, many people travel like this and it's not a problem.

This is correct. I'm a fellow dual US-EU. But OP, the different last names could be an issue. The name on the ticket has to match the passport. I've found the EU doesn't care which passport I use to enter...but in the US, you must use your US passport to enter (and show your UD one on check in in the EU).

[Anonymous]

You leave/enter the US on your US passport and enter the country of your other citizenship on that passport (if Schengen, enter any Schengen country on that passport). Any other country, just pick one and stick with it.

Here’s what it says on the US embassy in Bulgaria’s website, for example:

https://bg.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/which-passport-should-i-use

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone.

[Anonymous]

With a US and a EU passport you will not have an issue. Airlines are strict about entry requirements and if both passports allow you entry into your destination country, it just doesn’t matter.

Just make sure to show them the passport that has the exact same spelling as the ticket you purchased.

[Anonymous]

One more question.

If I enter the EU with my EU passport and therefore don’t get my US passport stamped/entered into their system, will coming home be an issue?

At the EU airport to come back home, I’d show my US passport to the airline and the EU passport at passport control?

Sorry, this all is new to me.

[Anonymous]

Coming back to US always use your US passport. EU entrance you look to see the shortest line (summer use EU, off times US) and go with that. Before I would get a question about stamps. Now a lot has moved to face readers on entrance so it doesn't matter.

For example I will use my US passport to board British Air flight to Heathrow at Dulles. It will be a face reader to board.

When I get to Heathrow I use my EU passport at face reader because the EU line is shorter/faster.

When I board again in Heathrow to come to US I use my US passport against then use Global Entry/moblie app (must at Dulles) to come back in to US.

[Anonymous]

PP here. I used Heathrow because while not part of EU or Schengen it is a really common airport to fly thru from the US and is just as easy as EU or Schengen.

Not with liquids though! That is a different thread.

[Anonymous]

I show EU passport to airline when flying to EU, then EU passport at EU border both coming and going, US passport to airline when flying to US and US passport to immigration.

The only wrinkle for you is the name discrepancy in the passports. In that case, I would show US passport to airline departing US too, but always EU passport to EU immigration on entry and exit. The lack of stamps is fine and proper procedure for EU citizen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One more question.

If I enter the EU with my EU passport and therefore don’t get my US passport stamped/entered into their system, will coming home be an issue?

At the EU airport to come back home, I’d show my US passport to the airline and the EU passport at passport control?

Sorry, this all is new to me.

No to Q1.
Yes to Q2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I show EU passport to airline when flying to EU, then EU passport at EU border both coming and going, US passport to airline when flying to US and US passport to immigration.

The only wrinkle for you is the name discrepancy in the passports. In that case, I would show US passport to airline departing US too, but always EU passport to EU immigration on entry and exit. The lack of stamps is fine and proper procedure for EU citizen.

I researched this recently and will note that the first part—booking flight with EU passport—is what I saw recommended multiple places. The reason is that the US does not check passports upon exit, so there’s no need to use the US passport for departure. The only time you would need to use the US passport is for re-entry (and worth noting that in a few countries that happens in the other country’s airport; so in Dublin, for example, you have two passport checks: one to exit Ireland, showing the EU passport you entered on, then one to enter “the US” (a US-only terminal), showing your US passport).

Happy to be corrected, but it does seem simpler to book travel on the EU passport so that the only place you need the US passport is for re-entry.

[Anonymous]

Another wrinkle is these electronic travel authorizations such as the NZeTA, the Australian ETA and the upcoming
European ETIAS.

If you are an Australian citizen you don't need (and probably shouldn't get) an Australian ETA, but if you check in for your flight from LAX to Sydney with your US passport, they're going to want you to have an ETA before they let you on the plane to Australia. You're going to have to show your Australian passport.

The same conumdrum will happen for EU dual citizens when ETIAS starts.