Travelling from the UK to Italy soon -residence card holder

Hi Everybody,

Im belorussian citizen living in the UK
Im married with an italian citizen and recently got the "Residence
Card" sticker on my passport, as Family Member of an EEA National.

I will be travelling to Italy next month (without my husband),
and my question is :

- Do I need a VISA to enter Italy or my residence card sticker showing
on my passport will be enough?
The fact that I travel without the EEA citizen does it change my status?

and another question:

- Will the UK police at the airport ask me for some more documentation
(marriage certificate), or the residence card will be enough to pass controls?

I have already asked the Italian Consulate and they told me that there's no need for VISA to enter Italy, travelling with my husband or by myself
does not change anything, Im still free to enter Italy without any VISA.

Does anybody can confirm this?

Many Thanks in advance

I think you DO need the visa if travelling without your EEA-citizen partner.

Hi,
Thanks for your reply

I would need to get a confirmation from someone ,
as the Consulate did tell me that my residence permit will be enough
to enter Italy and it doesnt matter if im travelling alone or with my husband, I wont need a Visa.

How can I find out who's right then?


Thanks again

luigi72 wrote:Hi,
Thanks for your reply

I would need to get a confirmation from someone ,
as the Consulate did tell me that my residence permit will be enough
to enter Italy and it doesnt matter if im travelling alone or with my husband, I wont need a Visa.

How can I find out who's right then?


Thanks again

Search here for a consensus. Thing is no-one in authority is quite sure of the law here, it's very grey, I suspect your initial problem will be getting on the plane, for if the airline is not sure, they will err on the side of caution and not even let you board.

It might be the Italian's are correct - but contact the airline first.

In accordance with Directive 2004/38/EC, possession of a residence card of a family member of a Union citizen exempts the holder from the visa requirement if entering another Member State in the company of, or to join, the Union citizen of whom the holder is a family member.

In short, if you wish to enter Italy neither in the company of nor to join your Italian citizen husband (presumably he is working or self-employed in the UK), you would not be entering in accordance with Directive 2004/38/EC and so subject the visa requirement if the Italian authorities state that you require one.

luigi72 wrote:Will the UK police at the airport ask me for some more documentation
(marriage certificate), or the residence card will be enough to pass controls?

On your return to the UK, you should be in possession of your valid passport and your residence card. No further documentation will be required.

The probably surest way would be if you could make contact to the Italian border police at the airport you will be arriving at.