UK Permanent Resident Document and travelling to Europe

[Springbok]

Hi all,

I am South African and my wife is Spanish. I used to have a Family Member of an EEA National Permit but now have successfully obtained my Permanent Residence Card. My wife will be traveling to Spain for a month, but I would like to fly there for the last week and come back to the UK with them. The reason is she is taking the kids there to spend time with her parents and because of my work I can only get out there for the last week.

My question is this: will I be able to fly alone to Spain or will they stop me at the airport (UK) because I am not flying with my wife.

I know these were the conditions of my previous EEA document, but I'm not sure what the restrictions are this time around. If there is a restriction, this would mean a big change to the holiday plan.

Any help would be much appreciated.

[askmeplz82]

No, you can't travel on a South African passport and U.K. permanent resident card. The U.K. does not participate in the travel part of the Schengen agreement. U.K. residence permits are not accepted. if you travelling with your EEA spouse then you will fine like before but if you travel alone then you may have problem

PR and Family member of an EU national resident card is same except when you come back from holiday immigration officer won't ask you what your EEA wife doing and where she is now.

[Springbok]

Hi and thanks for the reply. This is kind of what I was expecting but my wife had high hopes. I guess we will just have to postpone everything until we can go together.

Thanks again.