DUAL PASSPORT TRAVEL
DUAL PASSPORT TRAVEL
PERKS OF AN EU CITIZEN
One of the many benefits of Italian Citizenship is the convenience of a European Union passport. Your Italian Passport gives you easy access to 31 EU/EEA countries! It is important to know that there is an art to traveling with two passports. You’ll need to be sure you’re inputing the correct passport number when booking flights, as well as showing the correct passport at the right time.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Airlines are not immigration officers. As such, they are only interested in seeing that you are traveling with a passport that allows entry into your destination. Airline employees won’t usually ask to see more than your ticket and a valid passport.
Immigration officers are who you need to be careful talking to. It is in your best interest to only show the passport that enables you to enter a country. Further questioning by the immigration officer may lead to your dual citizenship being disclosed, at which point you might be asked to show your other passport.
WHY USE YOUR ITALIAN PASSPORT INSTEAD
There are many instances where your Italian passport might be more beneficial to use than your US passport. Your Italian passport could offer visa or fee-free intry into a country where your US passport might not. Countries of the European Union will soon require an “ETIAS” for non-EU citizens. When entering the EU, you will experience an expedited entry process when compared to non-EU nationals. This is thanks to the EU’s fast and convenient ePassport Gates.
European Travel Information and Authorization System
Starting in 2023, European Union countries will require an “ETIAS” for many citizens around the world to be able to enter the EU. Americans are on the list of required citizens. The ETIAS will only cost around $8.00, and will be valid for 3 years. During those three years of validity, ETIAS holders can enter and exit the EU without needing to purchase multiple authorizations. Although it is fairly inexpensive, it is a procedure that Italian passport holders will not need to bother with.
ePassport Gates
One of the many benefits of holding a European Union passport is the ability to use the ePassport Gates, also referred to as eGates. These are fully automated immigration control gates which only require a passport scan and facial recognition. Simply open your passport to the photo page and place it face down on the scanner. You will be asked to look ahead at the camera while your face is scanned. You must remove any hats or glasses or the scan will not work properly. Directions will be displayed in Italian, as the gate will detect the language of your passport.
Below is an example from Brussels airport. Age requirements will be different based on the country you are traveling to.
TRAVELING TO OR FROM THE EU
When traveling to an EU country, you should remember to check-in to your flight using your Italian passport. Typically, you will be asked to check-in 24 hours prior to your scheduled departure. If checking-in using an app on your phone, many airlines will ask you to tap your phone to the inside of the rear cover of your passport. This will scan the information from your passport into the phone, and allow the app to authenticate the data.
IN-APP OR ONLINE CHECK-IN
When submitting your Italian passport info during your online or in-app check-in process, you might be asked for a visa or residency permit that allows re-entry to the US if you’ve booked a round-trip flight. In cases such as this, it is best to use your US passport for the virtual check-in. Upon arrival to the airport, you can head to the check-in counter and have your passport information swapped to the Italian passport instead.
PHYSICAL CHECK-IN & BAG DROP-OFF
If you’re traveling with checked baggage, you’ll likely need to speak to an airline representative. During the bag drop-off process, the airline representative will likely ask you to verify your passport. When asked, show your Italian passport. If you are then asked to provide proof of US residency, you can show your US passport.
TSA & AIRPORT SECURITY
It is important to understand that TSA and airport security officers are not immigration officers. You should not worry about a TSA or security officer requesting immigration status if you show them your Italian passport, however, it is usually better to show the US TSA or security officers your US passport. They are not likely to bat an eyelash if you’re just another boring US citizen.
UNITED STATES EXIT IMMIGRATION
In most cases, you will not need to speak with a US exit immigration officer. In the event that you are targeted for a random exit check, you are required to declare yourself as an American Citizen. This is extremely important. Always show your US passport during an encounter with US immigration officers. Random exit checks are happening frequently from major US airports, so you should know what to do in the event you have been selected.
ARRIVING IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
Now that you’ve finally made it to the EU, it’s time to arrive like a local. Follow the signs for EU/EEA citizens. As we previously mentioned, one of the benefits of EU citizenship is the ability to use the convenient ePassport Gates. Each country has a different age requirement for their eGate usage, so be sure that if you’re traveling with children they meet the age requirement. If you are traveling with children which do not meet the age requirement, you will need to use the good old-fashioned immigration officer.
In some cases, the eGates will be closed or an airport does not have them. Follow the signs for the EU/EEA citizens to clear with an immigration officer.
If you are traveling with a non-EU citizen, you are both usually able to use the EU/EEA citizens line. You would both need to speak to an immigration officer to have your passports inspected. The EU citizen cannot use an eGate while the non-EU citizen uses the EU/EEA immigration officer.
WHILE IN THE EU
Many countries in the European Union operate their borders similar to how states do in the US. Countries with open borders are part of what is called the Schengen Area. You will only be processed through entry immigration once while in the Schengen Area. Once in the Schengen Area, you can easily fly or drive between other Schengen countries without needing to deal with immigration or border control checkpoints!
