UK resident with dual SA/Aus citizenship - Schengen Visa???

[roby01]

Hi,

I am a UK resident married to an EU National wanting to travel to Europe for a week's holiday in September 2011 taking in France, Switzerland and Italy.

Please can anyone advise if I require a Schengen visa or if I can simply travel on my Aus passport and return to the UK using my SA passport which contains my UK Resident Card?

I have checked the 3 countries websites and have picked up that France and Italy will allow me to travel on my SA passport without a Schengen visa as long as I am with my wife and have a copy of our marriage certificate as proof but Switzerland won't which means that I would have to apply for the Schengen visa just to enter Switzerland.

Many thanks

[ca.funke]

...on my Aus passport...

Hi roby01,

if "Aus passport" means Australia, then you can go to the Schengen-Zone without a visa, including Switzerland.

See , for example:

• the German visa-info on their ministry of foreign affair´s >>website<<.
• the Swiss visa-info on their ministry of foreign affair´s >>website<<, or download >>their leaflet<< here.

If "Aus" means anything else, please ask again.

Regards,
Christian

[roby01]

Sorry Christian I do mean Australian.

So I shouldn't have any queires from any parties by using both passports? I have tried asking the various embassy's however they just ignore my requests.

Thanks again

Rob

[86ti]

You could just present your Australian passport only as it enables you to travel visa free. If there is a problem you can show the other passport with the RC (probably a good idea with UK immigration in any case as they may ask you why you came to the UK) or a marriage certificate. Bringing along the latter may be a good idea anyway.

Bear in mind that entering as a family member of an EEA national should be without problems whereas entering as a tourist you can be asked for sufficient maintenance, travel insurance, etc. There should be no problem with two passports.

[ca.funke]

So I shouldn't have any queires from any parties by using both passports?

Hi Rob,

you shouldn´t have any queries from using both passports, no.

Actually your scenario is interesting:

First you should know that you can go without any visas. What follows is a theoretical thing:

1)
As a ZA-passport holder, being the family member of an EU-citizen, you have a right to enter the EU, no questions asked, except the border guard may establish that you´re the said spouse of the EU citizen.

This only applies if yee travel together.

2)
As an Australian you may independently enter the EU, however you would have to show health insurance, means to support yourself during your stay etc..., if asked for it.

In reality entering via option 2) is probably easier as this is standard, while option 1) always leads to complications.

Whatever you do, I strongly advise taking your Australian PP with you, as via option 1) you have no right to enter Switzerland

I wonder what would happen if you enter Schengen (anywhere but Switzerland) via option 1) (=no stamp in your Aus-PP), and then end up being checked inside Switzerland... However, I guess even that wouldn´t be a problem.

So I´d say: Take both passports and enjoy your trip!

Rgds, Christian

[roby01]

Thanks for your help folks, much appreciated.

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

You should also carry your marriage certificate, at least at first. That is what allows your to prove your relationship with the Eu citizen.

With two passports it is a lot easier to try entering a country on a SA passport but without a visa, if you are so inclined: http://eumovement.wordpress.com/2010/08 ... to-travel/ Put away the easy Australian and try traveling with just SA (and your spouse and marriage certificate).