Schengen For EU Family Member

[Noz03]

My wife (I am EU citizen, she is not) recently took a schengen visa as my family member so that we can travel in the EU, the thing is... the only consulate within 700km from that would issue it was the Italian consulate, although we didn't actually plan to visit Italy I heard it doesn't really matter as all the Schengen is connected anyway, and if anyone ever found out we would just say we changed our plan for x reason. So I took an invitation letter from a friend in Rome and we got the visa the next day.

Problem is, they asked for her insurance papers (not sure why as it's not written as a requirement for EU family members) and when she took the visa they told her she can get the papers back when she arrives in Italy, although she forgot to ask exactly how she would get them back... this is still a mystery. Also I am hearing that the person who invited her has to register at a police station before she comes, AND after she arrives. And as they are apparently sending her insurance documents somewhere I guess they will be expecting her.

So what should we do in this situation? Also what should her inviter do, I especially do not want this person to get into any trouble or inconvenience.

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

If there is an EU citizen involved in the travel plans, the insurance is not required.

You may make life complicated for yourself if you do not use your visa for Italy (ie future applications, Italy might not be so accommodating).

[Noz03]

I called them today and they said I can not get my insurance back, in italy or here... they just took and kept the original so now I have to call the insurance company and get a new one.......... anyway... We will go to Italy eventually, just not when we said, but they will not check this anyway right? I mean, if they contact the person who invited me and that person says that we had to delay our trip for another time they won't cancel the visa right?

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

The only likely problem is that when you try and apply for another visa with Italy, they may cause complications. Then again, they might not. It can be difficult to know exactly where people went as only entry and exit stamps are collected.

[Noz03]

Actually I don't get why she HAD to give an invitation letter as well... The point of the rule is that she gets all of my rights to freedom in the EU but if I don't need an invitation then why should she? :/

Also it says on the invitation letter that the inviter must declare to the police that their guest is coming, even if they don't show up... something about some italian anti terrorism law... is this true? Does my friend actually have to do this stuff or can get in trouble?

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

No, I'd thought I'd made myself clear on the earlier post, but I hadn't.

The only documents required for a visa under directive 2004/38/ec are your passport, evidence that you are family member of an EU citizen, evidence or declaration that you will be accompanying or join EU national.

That's it.

In rare cases, a visa could be refused if there were strong evidence that the applicant would be a threat, but the bar is very high here.