Experience with Italy on 2004/38 anyone?

Hi,

Italy says it is now implementing 2004/38 but my fear is whether everyone knows this. My non-EU wife and me (EU citizen), both residing in London, are travelling by boat from Croatia to Italy in a few weeks time. My fear is whether the authorities in Croatia and the boat company will know about 2004/38 and hence whether they will allow us (her) on board.

When asking the Italian embassy in London by email for confirmation that my wife did not need a visa , they told me to check their website. Their website tells me to send an email in case of questions... When we phoned, we were told to write them an email or check the website to get this confirmation. This makes me fear that even though Italy is implementing 2004/38, they don't want to confirm this to anyone in writing personally. They are not giving a straight answer!

Anyone has any experience with Italy? Are they indeed implementing 2004/38? And should I assume that all authorities know about 2004/38?

Ta,
R

Italy transposed the Directive into Italian law in March 2007.

http://gazzette.comune.jesi.an.it/2007/72/1.htm

Take a look at this link:

http://www.consmanchester.esteri.it/Con ... in_italia/

ATTENTION:

The EU Directive 2004/38/CE has been implemented in Italy. Therefore, for family members of EU citizens who do not have the nationality of a Member State, Residence Cards Permits will be deemed equivalent to short-stay visas and for short stay in Italy they will not need to apply to this Consulate for a SCHENGEN VISA.
Please note that your Residence Card should bear a clear reference to the fact that you are a family member of an EEA National.

If you have doubts about your status or the validity of your Permit, please contact us by mail (visti.manchester@esteri.it).

Please note that for long stays (above 90 days) for whatever purpose, all aliens are required to hold a visa, even if they are nationals of countries which do not require transit or short-stay visas.

You'll find this in this discussion:

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... 12&start=0