difference between a residence card and a residence permit?

[Sai121]

Hi,

Im an EU national living in the UK. Recently my partner and i have booked a holiday to portugal. Since my partner is a non EU national she has has residence card.

However after comfirming with the portuguese embasssy via email she has to apply for the schengen visa. We have booked an appointment with them. Recenty they have emailed us with more information; the main thing that is concerning us that that one of the points states

The residece visa/permit MUST be on the same passport.

My partner just renewed her passport last year, therefore the residence card is still on the old passport.

What is confusing now is that is a residence card and residence visa the same thing??

Your response will be greatly appreciated.

[Lucapooka]

A residence permit is a general term for permission to reside in a particular country. It could refer to any status under national or EU rules in a category other than as a visitor. A residence card is the particular term used for a residence permit for a dependant of an EU national.

[Sai121]

Thank you for your response.

Will the portuguese embassy consider the residence card as a permit then?

We went to spain last year and took both, old and new passsports and had no issues. Im not sue how strict the portuguese embassy will be!! I dont want the schengen visa to be rejected due to this.

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

Will you be travelling together? If so, your partner does not need a visa

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

I take it that your wife holds "residence card of a family member of an EEA national". If so you can enter visa-free. The fact that the card is in an expired passport does not invalidate it. That said, you may have some officious airline clerk or IO that might cause you some inconvenience, so best to also carry your marriage certificate.

[Sai121]

Yes we will be travelling together.

We emailed the embassy inquiring re schengen visa and my wife did tell them that she has a residence card of a family member of an EEA National and they replied that we need to apply for a schengen visa.

I wish they would make it easy for people to ring them instead of charging a £1 an hour!!! Thats just ridiculous!

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

In that case, no visa required.

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

Remember that you asked the embassy. Their whole world is about telling people they do need a visa.

[acme4242]

check TIMATIC
http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... 623#641623

Residence United Kingdom (GB) /Destination Portugal (PT)

Portugal (PT)
Visa required, except for Those, irrespective of nationality,
for a max. stay of 90 days, holding "family member" residence
permit issued by United Kingdom to a family member of an EEA
national

and yes, spot the English error, it should say "residence card" not "residence permit"

A residence permit means you must apply for permission to the National Government.
EEA family don't need permission, they have right of residence from EU treaty.
The residence card displays this right of residence.

This is a small difference in English words, often mixed up.

But from a users point of view, in both cases you need
to go to the National Government and fulfill a
bureaucratic procedure, to get something that says
you have right of residence.
Be it called a card or a permit