Switzerland, Schengen and residence-permits

[ca.funke]

Hi all,

my wife (Lebanese) and me (Belgian) live in Switzerland.

Switzerland just recently joined Schengen. As such they introduced new foreigners´cards. (=Ausländerausweis)

The credit-card sized cards are for all non-EU foreigners in Switzerland, to ensure they carry a Schengen-uniform card.

However, there is an unlogical exception: Family-Members of EU-citizens get the old book-sized foreigner´s card. No-one managed to explain to me WHY, that´s just the way it is. The corresponding information across different local authorities´websites varies as to weather the credit-card or "book" will be issued.

The book-like ID already reminds me of 4EUFam-cards from Ireland, which legally allow travel to all of the EEA, while in practice you run from one problem into the next.

Does anyone have experience with these lovely documents? Anyone with a clue as to why this hurdle has been created? Is is always followed, or can the credit-card sized ID be obtained somehow?

Regards from Zürich,
Christian

[ciaramc]

My husband just received his RC for Italy valid 5 years as the spouse of an EU citizen, I expected to get this new electronic credit-card size document instead we got a A4 size piece of paper that is already looking a bit wrinkled after a WEEK!

[Rozen]

In The Netherlands, mine is a credit card size one that I just carry in my purse with all my other cards. No need to move around with my passport anymore (within NL) to prove my identity. Apparently all my info is encrypted within it!

[ciaramc]

Here in Italy the ID card is a credit card size but the Residence card is the one that is the killer...it will never last 5 years!

[Rozen]

Here in Italy the ID card is a credit card size but the Residence card is the one that is the killer...it will never last 5 years!

Here, the ID and Residence (for non-EU Family Members) is incorporated into one, which is set to last for the five years! It's similar to a UK Driving Licence. Quite handy, by the sounds of it, as compared to Italian (and Swiss, it seems) RC.

[charles4u]

My husband just received his RC for Italy valid 5 years as the spouse of an EU citizen, I expected to get this new electronic credit-card size document instead we got a A4 size piece of paper that is already looking a bit wrinkled after a WEEK!

Atlastttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt I am so happy for you and your husband ...........

Godddddddddddddddd...after 2 yrs or so right ? ...men...big congrats.

[ciaramc]

I wish it was only 2 years....married 3 and a half living together.... since 2002!!! But we finally did it...with the help of the European Commission!

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

My husband just received his RC for Italy valid 5 years as the spouse of an EU citizen, I expected to get this new electronic credit-card size document instead we got a A4 size piece of paper that is already looking a bit wrinkled after a WEEK!

Awsome! Congratulations! You must both be very happy to have the fight behind you.