Does EEA FM RC allow member to live in all EU states?

[ricoquintas]

Hello there!

My wife was recently granted an EEA (FM) Residence Card (of a family member of a union citizen, to be precise) and she is allowed to work in the UK where we currently reside. We got married in the UK as well before applying for this residence card.

I understand that she does not need to acquire a visa if she travels with me, around the EU.

I have the option of moving to Spain or Italy for work but I am wondering how this will affect her rights to live in an EU state. Would we have to redo the process in either of the countries mentioned in order for her to live and obtain work there?

Apologies if this has been answered before, I wasn't able to find any info on this in the forum.

Any helpful advice and info will be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much.

[secret.simon]

Would we have to redo the process in either of the countries mentioned in order for her to live and obtain work there?

Yes. The RC is issued under EU law by the member-state. It is valid across that member-state. But if you move to another member-state, you need to reapply for it under that member-state's transposition of the EU directive.

[noajthan]

RCs are ofcourse optional and merely confirmatory documents - no rights are granted by such a card.

[ricoquintas]

Thanks secret.simon and noajthan!