Immigration

[Tinibee]

Hi

[sky07]

I'm sure your husband will need a schengen visa....

[Wanderer]

I'm sure your husband will need a schengen visa....

And being married in Greece doesn't mean anything, conveys no freedom of movement I'm afraid..

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

And being married in Greece doesn't mean anything, conveys no freedom of movement I'm afraid..

Wrong. It does not matter where the couple got married. Greek marriage certificate is just as good as a UK marriage certificate. What matters is that they are married.

The couple is married and one of them is an EU citizen. So BOTH of them have freedom of movement so long as they are travelling together. In some cases the non-EU can be required to get an entry visa.

[Wanderer]

And being married in Greece doesn't mean anything, conveys no freedom of movement I'm afraid..

Wrong. It does not matter where the couple got married. Greek marriage certificate is just as good as a UK marriage certificate. What matters is that they are married.

The couple is married and one of them is an EU citizen. So BOTH of them have freedom of movement so long as they are travelling together. In some cases the non-EU can be required to get an entry visa.

Sorry, what I was trying to say was the Greek marriage doesn't imply free movement as per the EEA Residence Permit would. Does that make sense?

I'm prolly still wrong tho!

[Plum70]

By the way, has any non-EEA family member of a EU/Swiss national in possession of a UK residence card (with the remarks " Residence documentation of a family member of a EU/Swiss national") been able to successfully travel to and from France (by plane, train, ferry, car...) without a schengen visa?

My hubby and I would like to test drive this recent implementation of the EU Directive by the French but are a bit chicken!

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

My wife and I did a test-drive to Ireland without a visa. We took a (nice sunny!) Saturday and drove to Stanstead. Got a Ryanair flight to Dublin. On arriving we went to the immigration desks (we thought we might have to search them out, but they are now required even from the UK), and then waited 30 minutes while they considered whether to let my wife in on the basis of our marriage certificate. After being admitted, we then went into the centre of Dublin for the rest of the day, and flew home on a 6pm flight. Flights costs us £10 each if I remember correctly.

My take aways from the situation:
(1) There are lots of cheap same-day-return flights and ferries to go to France from the UK. Ferries have the down side or benefit (depending on your point of view) of clearing immigration before you leave the UK.
(2) Do it as a special purpose same-day-trip trip to try things out. Try Germany (should be very easy!), France, maybe even Spain (but be careful).
(3) It is not so hard as you might expect. Once you have done it, then you can think about your week long holiday in France and will be far more relaxed
(4) Enjoy yourself
(5) Record the whole thing on a voice recorder. Also take photos of you both together just before you clear customs. Be sure to also carry your marriage certificate as a backup.

[Tinibee]

Hi,

[Plum70]

My wife and I did a test-drive to Ireland without a visa. We took a (nice sunny!) Saturday and drove to Stanstead. Got a Ryanair flight to Dublin. On arriving we went to the immigration desks (we thought we might have to search them out, but they are now required even from the UK), and then waited 30 minutes while they considered whether to let my wife in on the basis of our marriage certificate. After being admitted, we then went into the centre of Dublin for the rest of the day, and flew home on a 6pm flight. Flights costs us £10 each if I remember correctly.

My take aways from the situation:
(1) There are lots of cheap same-day-return flights and ferries to go to France from the UK. Ferries have the down side or benefit (depending on your point of view) of clearing immigration before you leave the UK.
(2) Do it as a special purpose same-day-trip trip to try things out. Try Germany (should be very easy!), France, maybe even Spain (but be careful).
(3) It is not so hard as you might expect. Once you have done it, then you can think about your week long holiday in France and will be far more relaxed
(4) Enjoy yourself
(5) Record the whole thing on a voice recorder. Also take photos of you both together just before you clear customs. Be sure to also carry your marriage certificate as a backup.

Thanks a lot for the tips Directive. My hubby and I are planning on seeing Dieppe and Giverny. I'm not sure the best mode of transport for both destinations, but we will see how we fare at immigration. Not forgetting to take our marriage certificate along of course!