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4EUFam and EU wide travel - the complete guide

Forum to discuss all things Blarney | Ireland immigration

Moderators: Casa, push, JAJ, ca.funke, Amber, zimba, vinny, Obie, EUsmileWEallsmile, batleykhan, meself2, geriatrix, John, ChetanOjha, archigabe, Administrator

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86ti
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Re: Spain

Post by 86ti » Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:31 am

ca.funke wrote:[Some (mad?) person in the Spanish embassy must have changed the information given since I conducted my survey. :(
Maybe not mad. They probably may just have read their own transposition of the Directive.

trinity
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Post by trinity » Fri Oct 31, 2008 9:33 pm

archigabe wrote:We just got back from a trip to Frankfurt,Germany.Had no problems entering or leaving with Stamp4 EU fam card.
Thanks a million for this very useful info Archigabe :D

trinity
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Re: Spain

Post by trinity » Fri Oct 31, 2008 9:37 pm

ca.funke wrote:
trinity wrote:...Followed the link but only find this info...
Eerrgghh - when I posted what I posted I copied and pasted from their website...


Some (mad?) person in the Spanish embassy must have changed the information given since I conducted my survey. :(

Given the amount of coutries it's obvious that some of them yould change their websites at some stage. This, however, is the first time I witness information going from correct to incorrect.

Given the attitude of the Spanish embassy (no replies to email, rude on the phone) I won't get involved with them... Good luck in case someone wants to try to handle this...
That's a pity I agree we cant avail for lastminute deals :cry: unfair...
But we'll definitly visit your lovely country Germany where we're welcome

trinity
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Re: Spain

Post by trinity » Fri Oct 31, 2008 9:42 pm

86ti wrote:
ca.funke wrote:[Some (mad?) person in the Spanish embassy must have changed the information given since I conducted my survey. :(
Maybe not mad. They probably may just have read their own transposition of the Directive.
Still that was mad they should have read it before writing on their website and then just step back...

ca.funke
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Czech Republic

Post by ca.funke » Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:51 am

Hi all,

the Czech Republic's embassy in Dublin usually gave incorrect information about 4EUFam so far, insisting a visa is necessary.

Yesterday we transitted in Prague and took the opportunity to try to leave into Schengen, just to go back out.

(flight from Dublin to Beirut, i.e. non-Schengen to non-Schengen, usually possible without any check, but we went "into Prague" just to go back to our flight to Beirut)

We passed both checks with flying colours, no questions asked at all, not even a stamp was placed into my wife's passport. (just as the law requires)

My current conclusion is that the border-staff in Prague is well trained, while the embassy seems to be a little lost.

However, as long as the practical things work I won't mind :):) Just a pitty for all those enquiring with the embassy in Dublin.

Regards from sunny Beirut, Christian :)
---------- Original message ----------
From: Christian
Date: Mon, Nov 3, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Subject: Visa necessary?
To: consulate_dublin@mzv.cz


Dear Madam or Sir,

you may recall my recent enquiries as to weather my wife (I am German, my wife is Lebanese, we live together in Ireland and my wife is in possession of an 4EUFam-card) would need a visa for the Czech Republic.

As per your ministry of foreign affairs ( http://www.czechembassy.org/servis/Soubor.asp?ID=28936 ), as well as my detailed explanations ( http://immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=30020 ) a visa is NOT necessary under above circumstances - the 4EUFam-card allows entry to the Czech Republic as long as we travel together.

Your visa-department in the Dublin embassy kept insisting a visa is necessary. (see the link given above)

Yesterday we performed an acid-test and tried to gain entry into the Czech Republic at Prague Airport. To our delight the 4EUFam-card was accepted without any questions!

This was a purely informational email - I do not need a reply although I would of course be happy to learn about your official standpoint.

Regards,
Christian

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spain trip

Post by gunesmt33 » Fri Nov 07, 2008 4:19 pm

Hi all,

Thank you all for this very usefull topic!!

I received my EUfam card as well and wanted to try to see if I could get into Spain without a visa.

We printed the webpages where it says we do not need a visa and brought or mariage certificate just to be sure (all in english).

We flew into Seville airport last month and I was told I needed a schengen visa. We had to go to immigration office in the airport and nobody was speaking any english. However we have been able to explain we are married and that I have the right to come without visa to Spain with EUfam card. Guy made a phonecall and it was solved, we were allowed in. Just took some extra time and the explained to us they prefer us to get visa (is free for EUfam card holders by the way), at least that is what we understood from his spanish lecture.

But bottom line is:
You can get into Spain without visa if you have EUfam but be prepared for a bit of a hassle (and learn spanish hahahaha), if you have time get the free visa.

Problem with Spanish embassy here in Dublin is you have to wait for your appointment and you cannot set the appointment yourself. You write them an email and they will reply with a date (in our case the date was four weeks later, hence our decision to try without visa...also we did not want to book hotels etc in advance and you will have to show your reservations and all other papers again for this visa)


Have a good weekend!!

Gunes

86ti
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Re: spain trip

Post by 86ti » Fri Nov 07, 2008 4:34 pm

gunesmt33 wrote:But bottom line is:
You can get into Spain without visa if you have EUfam but be prepared for a bit of a hassle (and learn spanish hahahaha), if you have time get the free visa.
Well, alternatively you may get deported, see here and here. But those cases were with UK RC.

86ti
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Finnish UK embassy

Post by 86ti » Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:23 am

That's what I got today from the Finnish embassy in London:
Finland embassy/UK wrote:As Finland still does not accept EEA family member sticker for visa free entrance, you do need to apply visa for visiting Finland. Please have a look on our website www.finemb.fi for more information.
which is particularly funny because their Aliens Act 301/2004 is very clear about that in Section 155a which I cited in my mail to them. Again we have the situation that the UK embassy says differently from their counterpart in ROI.

86ti
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Finnish UK embassy II

Post by 86ti » Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:56 am

And here the follow-up email after asking for clarifications. At least they are very quick in repsonding...
Finland embassy/UK wrote:I am sorry to tell you that this is the case at the moment-as my collegue has written we are still granting visas -but ofcourse free of charge -for tourist trips to Finland.At the moment ´visa freedom´ ( holder of EEA Family Member Sticker) is only valid if one is moving ( in order to work ) to Finland with an EU -spouse or travelling to Finland in other than Tourist/ Holiday Purposes with an EU spouse. It is still recommended to hold a visa that is why it is instructed on our website too. Would you like to apply by post and come to collect it in person? You only need to present us the application form, one photo and your passport with the original marriage certificate and passport of your spouse and one bill/other kind of proof of living together.Wellcome to apply!
.

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Re: spain trip

Post by MAKUSA » Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:47 am

gunesmt33 wrote:Hi all,

Thank you all for this very usefull topic!!

I received my EUfam card as well and wanted to try to see if I could get into Spain without a visa.

We printed the webpages where it says we do not need a visa and brought or mariage certificate just to be sure (all in english).

We flew into Seville airport last month and I was told I needed a schengen visa. We had to go to immigration office in the airport and nobody was speaking any english. However we have been able to explain we are married and that I have the right to come without visa to Spain with EUfam card. Guy made a phonecall and it was solved, we were allowed in. Just took some extra time and the explained to us they prefer us to get visa (is free for EUfam card holders by the way), at least that is what we understood from his spanish lecture.

But bottom line is:
You can get into Spain without visa if you have EUfam but be prepared for a bit of a hassle (and learn spanish hahahaha), if you have time get the free visa.

Problem with Spanish embassy here in Dublin is you have to wait for your appointment and you cannot set the appointment yourself. You write them an email and they will reply with a date (in our case the date was four weeks later, hence our decision to try without visa...also we did not want to book hotels etc in advance and you will have to show your reservations and all other papers again for this visa)


Have a good weekend!!

Gunes
Brave lad, would be visiting the UK in January and i am hoping that they refuse entry because i would take them to the cleaners, i have a very nice plan, a get rich quickly scheme.

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Re: spain trip

Post by Ben » Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:53 am

First-Class Moron wrote:Brave lad, would be visiting the UK in January and i am hoping that they refuse entry because i would take them to the cleaners, i have a very nice plan, a get rich quickly scheme.
Very unlikely. Flights landing in the UK from Ireland are treated as domestic, for immigration purposes. You are likely not to even see an immigration officer.

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Thanks

Post by MAKUSA » Sat Nov 15, 2008 2:59 pm

Sorry for flying off the other day.

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Re: Thanks

Post by Ben » Sat Nov 15, 2008 3:33 pm

First-Class Moron wrote:Sorry for flying off the other day.
Ah come on, we all have off days! I'm sorry if I came across in a way other than intended. Certainly didn't mean to wind you up, First-Class Moron. :)

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re

Post by robby1 » Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:28 pm

i have eufam-4 , i flew to munich last friday with my e .u spouse, at airport immigration officer did't have any clue about this examption of visa for family members of e.u citizen . she took us to their office to find out with her senior, i gave them all evidances my m.cert passports , german embassy visa req's and e.u directive copy ,but they were constantly telling me i need to have schengen visa for entry in germany ,after she came back and said that it's ok i don't need visa but we will give u free visa, that u wont have any problem in germany, i refused to get one and again told them about the directive and their embassy statement, she said embassy is always not right, she went in again and came back after ringing someone and told me that i don't need any visa at all, very flustrating they should be aware of their rules..
so i'll advise all if they flying to any of the destinations without visa they should have all documents with them to fight with those immigration officers ...
but i had great weekend..
good luck

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Post by Ben » Sat Nov 15, 2008 8:02 pm

Well done in sticking to your guns, robby1!

Many, I'm sure, would have just taken the free, instant Schengen visa option that you were offered.

By standing by the rules, you probably caused the entire immigration facility at Munich airport to be re-trained and educated about this.

(Well, we can but hope.) :lol:

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Post by ca.funke » Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:15 am

after almost 3 months I got an answer from the Italian embassy.

I pasted it into the original context...

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... 385#190385

Now, I wonder should I explain how directives really work???

:)

But it's so nicely written, I already want to go to Italia again :):)
Last edited by ca.funke on Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:57 am, edited 1 time in total.

ca.funke
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Re: re

Post by ca.funke » Sun Nov 16, 2008 3:07 pm

robby1 wrote:... i flew to munich last friday...
I went to Munich with my wife and 4EUFam about 2 months ago.

As a new standard-procedure of mine, before going anywhere, I rang the border-police of Munich airport the day before.

quote "4EUFam - I know about it, no problem"

Arrival - the guy had no clue. After a few seconds he said (while placing the stamp) "oh yeah - i remember there was something about it"

Well - as the stamp was already placed I didn't want to cause trouble...

...after all we got in :)

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Post by archigabe » Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:23 pm

Switzerland is now requiring visas for third country nationals holding E.U fam card.
The visa handling fee in general is EUR 60.00. It is due upon application and is not refundable. The visa fee is payable in cash.

If you are married to an EU/EFTA citizen or one or both of your parents are EU/EFTA citizens, the visa is free of charge. Please provide the Embassy also with your marriage- or birth certificate and your spouse's passport or your parent(s) passport(s) as proof.



http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... 301#213301

86ti
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EU comission report Dec 2008 on Directive 2004/38/EC

Post by 86ti » Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:47 am

Well, the link has been posted somewhere else already but is also useful here:
Report on the application of Directive 2004/38/EC

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Re: EU comission report Dec 2008 on Directive 2004/38/EC

Post by ca.funke » Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:40 am

86ti wrote:Well, the link has been posted somewhere else already but is also useful here:
Report on the application of Directive 2004/38/EC
After having read the report, I have the impression as if the Commission was talking about the possible implementation of a regulation concerning the import/export rules for lids of coconut-milk-containers...

...the fact that the non-implementation and non-observance of 2004/38/EC is (unlawfully) seriously affecting/impeding/changing/holding up life-plans of individuals does not seem to be taken into account.

Good to know that they will publish a new report "in due course"... If the current report is what the people get after waiting for more than 1 year I must say that, personally, I lost my faith in the Union. :(

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Post by ash_2008 » Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:37 pm

hiii ....
i am an indian citizen n i have been granted 4eufam stamp since my wife is polish . i wish to go to italy for 5 days with her n i called italian embassy and they said i do need a visa to go to italy no matter i have 4eufam stamp ... i am confused can somebody help me please ... thanks indeed .ash

ca.funke
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Post by ca.funke » Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:48 pm

ash_2008 wrote:hiii ....
i am an indian citizen n i have been granted 4eufam stamp since my wife is polish . i wish to go to italy for 5 days with her n i called italian embassy and they said i do need a visa to go to italy no matter i have 4eufam stamp ... i am confused can somebody help me please ... thanks indeed .ash
What they told you is wrong.

Read this thread from the beginning to learn how it really works.

Good luck and enjoy Italy... :)

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Post by ash_2008 » Tue Dec 30, 2008 4:22 am

i have actually gone through each n every words of wat u wrote n from their i came to know about the rule thanks 4 dat but wat should i do ? should i book my ticket n go or contact embassy ? wat would u suggest ?

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Post by ca.funke » Thu Jan 01, 2009 5:35 am

ash_2008 wrote:i have actually gone through each n every words of wat u wrote n from their i came to know about the rule thanks 4 dat but wat should i do ? should i book my ticket n go or contact embassy ? wat would u suggest ?
I recommend you read the practical guide >>here<<, book your flight and go.

To avoid trouble when leaving Ireland you may want to consider flying AerLingus (rather than Ryanair), as their online-checkin is open to everyone - this way you will be able to board the flight without any Visa-check in Eire.

Arrival in Italy may be fly-through or bumpy, depending on the cleverness and knowledge of the individual border-guard you will encounter.

Good luck.

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Re: Finnish UK embassy

Post by 86ti » Mon Feb 02, 2009 3:26 pm

To clarify what the Finnish embassy in London wrote to me last year
Finnish Embassy/London, 13/11/2008 wrote:[...] At the moment ´visa freedom´ ( holder of EEA Family Member Sticker) is only valid if one is moving ( in order to work ) to Finland with an EU -spouse or travelling to Finland in other than Tourist/ Holiday Purposes with an EU spouse. It is still recommended to hold a visa that is why it is instructed on our website too. [...]
I contacted SOLVIT Finland and got the following response from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, 2/2/2009 wrote:The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland shares your intrest to further enhance the functionality of the free movement of European union citizens and their family members.

The information you received from our Embassy in London expresses the general guidelines of the Finnish autorities as regards the interpretation of the visa exemption on «Residence card of a family member of a Union citizen» according the directive 2004/38/EC. The interpretation is based on discussions with the representants of the European Commission in the first two meetings of the expert group for implementation of directive 2004/38/EC organised by the Commission.

The Commission created the expert group mentioned above in September 2008 to identify difficulties and clarify issues of interpretation of the Directive. Two first meetings of the group identified a number of issues that require further discussion and clarification. The Commission has informed the Member States on its intention to issue guidelines in the first half of 2009 as regards a number of issues identified as problematic in transposition or application of the directive 2004/38/EC.

The Schengen Embassies in London have noticed that the interpretations on the visa exemption according to the directive 2004/38/EC varies among the Schengen States. In connection to the work of the expert group mentioned above Finland has made a written request to the European Commission to give a recommendation for the interpretation of the Article 5 (2).

As regards the interpretation of the Article 5 (2) the expert group has discussed the provisions on the beneficiaries of the directive set in the article 3. According the article 3 (1) the directive shall apply to all Union citizens who move to or reside in a Member State other than that of which they are a national, and to their family members as defined in point 2 of Article 2 who accompany or join them.

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