Peter,
An interesting article, it seems to say that a person resident in a country controlled by EASA, even if they hold a US FAA licence will not be able to fly an N registered aircraft IFR, in EASA controlled countries legally?
To quote the article
Take John C. He is an American Airline
Transport rated Pilot with more than 20 years
and many thousands of hours experience in
everything from a Cessna 172 to a King Air
350. He is also an experienced and highly
skilled Air Traffic Controller who worked in
many of the busiest US Air Traffic Control
Centers. On the invitation of a large European
Air Traffic Control Agency he has come to
our shores to help us out with our ATC staff
shortage and train future European Air Traffic
Controllers. His contract is for three years. It
might not be unreasonable for someone in
his profession and his position to keep up
with his flying-proficiency during his time
here in Europe. Any sane country or licensing
system would probably trust John C.
with a small General Aviation aircraft after
a minimum of due process for validation or
conversion.
Nevertheless, here is what John C. would
have to do to fly any C172 or SR20 under
IFR in his host country of Germany (no, not
just a German registered rental, but even his
very
own US-registered aircraft if he had decided
to bring it along for the three years):