Airport security & American passports (europe)?

Question

traveling from one european country to another, an id or passport is enough and they check your name typically(for europeans). What happens if i travel to europe (i'm german) with an american passport coming from u.s? are things loose? generally those with american passport go thru easier and faster is this true?

Answer 1

If you are German you should travel to and in the EU on your German passport!

Your US passport might get you preferential treatment when coming into the US, but when coming into the EU you get preferential treatment only when you can show your EU passport.

Think of countries as houses, citizenships as owner's deeds and passport as keys. Coming to the EU on your US passport would be like meekly knocking at the door and kindly asking the custodian and administrator of your own house to be allowed to stay as a guest for a short period, promising to behave yourself, not to take up much space and not cause any trouble for the houseowners - instead of boldly turning the key, knocking off the dirty boots, glaring at the custodian, sitting down at the table and then demanding dinner.  Isn't that a little bit weird?

Answer 2

No.  As the first person said there are two seperate lines (generally although at smaller airports this may not even be the case).  One line for EU nationals (including citizens of the country) and one for non-EU.  This includes Americans, but also the rest of the world.

Whilst Americans (and some other countries) are generally able to come to Europe without a visa for visting less than 90 days, there is no seperation at passport control for US passport holders.

Sorry!

Answer 3

Not based upon my experience.   There are separate lines for citizens and non-citizens and the non-citizen line always moves slower