EASA ops - is an alternate always required ?
 

Ok, at the risk of making myself sound stupid ;

Under EASA ops, can you dispatch on an IFR plan with no alternate (not talking isolated aerodrome here) ?

On one hand, fuel planning minima says you take alternate fuel. On the other hand, there is a bit in the rules that says no alternate needed if destination has 2 separate runways, wx above circling minima + a bit etc etc
I've never been dispatched without an alternate. However, in FAA land it's quite common. Do any EASA operators do it ?

Sorry for the dumb question but theory and actual experience don't match.

Yes, you can.

It's done frequently when conditions allow.