Family member of EEA citizen travellign to Italy and Spain

[linamd]

Hi,

I wonder if someone could help me. I have been in a long term relation with a EEA national for 7 years and I hold a Residence Card given by the UK Home Office. I am travelling alone to Italy and Spain and when I went to the Italian Embassy I was told I do not need a visa as I hold a residence card.

I have some questions that they could not answer!

1. Do I need to travel with my partner or can I travel alone to Italy and yet do not need a visa. I do not have a marriage certificate as I am not married!

2. Would I need a visa to go to Spain? The website doesn't say anything. For instance the German Embassy website says that I do not need a visa as long as I travel with my partner, but if I don't travel with him, then I need a visa. Am I correct.

Thanks for all your help

[Rozen]

Hi,

I wonder if someone could help me. I have been in a long term relation with a EEA national for 7 years and I hold a Residence Card given by the UK Home Office. I am travelling alone to Italy and Spain and when I went to the Italian Embassy I was told I do not need a visa as I hold a residence card.

I have some questions that they could not answer!

1. Do I need to travel with my partner or can I travel alone to Italy and yet do not need a visa. I do not have a marriage certificate as I am not married!

2. Would I need a visa to go to Spain? The website doesn't say anything. For instance the German Embassy website says that I do not need a visa as long as I travel with my partner, but if I don't travel with him, then I need a visa. Am I correct.

Thanks for all your help

If you want a hassle-free journey, I would advise you to travel with your partner to Italy! Italian IO's are not that well informed about EEA rules (but who are, anyway?). If you go on your own, you would probably struggle to let them get you in, worse still without a marriage certificate! For Spain, I would get a schengen visa. Wrong, I know. It's all fine in theory, but the reality can be quite horrendous. They'll probably let you in at the end of the day anyway (even if it is about ten hours later! ) Whatever you decide, best of luck!

[linamd]

Hi!

Thanks for your advised, but the problem is that my partner is unable to come to Italy with me because of work. And the Italain center did not want to take an application for a Schengen visa.

It seems Spian actually asks for a visa

[linamd]

Hi,

I wonder if someone could help me. I have been in a long term relation with a EEA national for 7 years and I hold a Residence Card given by the UK Home Office. I am travelling alone to Italy and Spain and when I went to the Italian Embassy I was told I do not need a visa as I hold a residence card.

I have some questions that they could not answer!

1. Do I need to travel with my partner or can I travel alone to Italy and yet do not need a visa. I do not have a marriage certificate as I am not married!

2. Would I need a visa to go to Spain? The website doesn't say anything. For instance the German Embassy website says that I do not need a visa as long as I travel with my partner, but if I don't travel with him, then I need a visa. Am I correct.

Thanks for all your help

If you want a hassle-free journey, I would advise you to travel with your partner to Italy! Italian IO's are not that well informed about EEA rules (but who are, anyway?). If you go on your own, you would probably struggle to let them get you in, worse still without a marriage certificate! For Spain, I would get a schengen visa. Wrong, I know. It's all fine in theory, but the reality can be quite horrendous. They'll probably let you in at the end of the day anyway (even if it is about ten hours later! ) Whatever you decide, best of luck!

[Rozen]

Hi!

Thanks for your advised, but the problem is that my partner is unable to come to Italy with me because of work. And the Italain center did not want to take an application for a Schengen visa.

It seems Spian actually asks for a visa

That's what I'm saying! You can go to Italy on your own with your UK Residence Card minus Schengen Visa, and they will eventually let you in. But just be prepared that you might have an uphill battle with the IO's there. Don't take no for an answer. Ask to speak to the senior IO. They are usually more conversant about the law than their juniors.
As for Spain..... well that's another story!

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

I would contact the EU's Citizen Signpost for their opinion. http://ec.europa.eu/citizensrights/

I would then take that with you when you travel on your own.

Might I also suggest you might take a few a few test flights to Italy and Spain. It is quite cheap to get a day return on one of the low cost Stupid. Go with your partner, but go through immigration controls seperately. If there is any problem your partner is there to yell at them. It allows you can see how it works. Added bonus: you can have lunch at an Italian airport.

[Wanderer]

I would contact the EU's Citizen Signpost for their opinion. http://ec.europa.eu/citizensrights/

I would then take that with you when you travel on your own.

Might I also suggest you might take a few a few test flights to Italy and Spain. It is quite cheap to get a day return on one of the low cost Stupid. Go with your partner, but go through immigration controls seperately. If there is any problem your partner is there to yell at them. It allows you can see how it works. Added bonus: you can have lunch at an Italian airport.

What about the OP's carbon footprint!?

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

What about the OP's carbon footprint!?

We can all plant some trees and ride our bikes as offset! I am happy to do that if I know what day the OP is travelling.

I actually think that it is worth the carbon. Some people (EU citizens and their families) have a right a free movement in Europe, and until it is more clearly implemented in different member states, and more clearly communicated, then people have either the option of living in darkness or trying stuff out. The only way to make things non-scary is to try them.

[Plum70]

I would contact the EU's
What about the OP's carbon footprint!?

Well spotted ECO warrior!