Which EU country to choose to establish our family?

dora.g · Post by **dora.g** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 8:18 pm

Hi all, I've been reading this forum for a while but this is my first post here. I'm a russian citizen legally residing in France as a student for the past 3 years. My boyfriend is British, he is self-employed in France. We are thinking about getting married and establishing our family in some European country. The question is which European country to choose?

We've looked at the legal procedures of family reunification in France and it looks like every prefecture is interpreting the Directive 2004/38/EC in their own way. I've been dealing with the French prefectures once a year since I moved here, and really don't want to continue doing so for the rest of my life.

So, considering the fact that my fiance can be self-employed in any European country, which country should we chose to establish our family life? Other criteria would be good educational system and decent quality of heath care.

We are interested in your opinions!

Dora and Mike

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 9:03 pm

Ireland, for good quality of family life and good schooling.

Healthcare is expensive though, unless your salary falls within the limits to qualify for a Medical Card.

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 9:18 pm

My preference is for Germany, NL, Belenux or Swiss. Maybe France. Scandinavia for the true socialist.

Spain or Italy would drive me mad tho, I prefer order!

Bear in mind Russians abound in Germany, and they are not that popular with the locals!

My choice would be Sweden, but no jobs every come up for the there.

Davai poka i udachi vam.....

dora.g · Post by **dora.g** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 11:08 pm

To benifa: we were considering Ireland, but according to people on this forum Ireland is not very friendly to third-country spouses of EU citizens residing in Ireland. I don't want to move to a country where I will have problems getting residence documents.

To Wanderer: russians abound everywhere, and I have an impression that we are not popular anywhere (other than in Bulgary, probably). Spain and Italy are complete mess, I agree. What about Benelux? Do you know if there are any problems in terms of getting residence documents for third-country spouses of EU citizens?

Thanks for replies!

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 11:25 pm

dora.g wrote:To benifa: we were considering Ireland, but according to people on this forum Ireland is not very friendly to third-country spouses of EU citizens residing in Ireland. I don't want to move to a country where I will have problems getting residence documents.

To Wanderer: russians abound everywhere, and I have an impression that we are not popular anywhere (other than in Bulgary, probably). Spain and Italy are complete mess, I agree. What about Benelux? Do you know if there are any problems in terms of getting residence documents for third-country spouses of EU citizens?

Thanks for replies!

The rules are the same whatever EU country, but some adhere better than others, Netherlands are good, and you Russian's share a mutual hatred of the Germans, they took away their bicycles during WW2! Sorry, Great Patriotic War!

dora.g · Post by **dora.g** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 11:36 pm

I personally don't have problems with people from anywhere.

The rules are the same - the Directive 2004/38/EC, but it's not implemented in the same way and it's not followed properly, as we can see on this website. For example, in France the fact that my fiance is self-employed is a problem. He doesn't have a work contract which for the authorities means that he might not have means to support his family any time in the future. Which means that I will be given a 1-year renewable residence (we talked to our local prefecture) and no French employer will want me with it.

Moving to Holland would mean learning Dutch... What about Belgium or Luxemburg? Are there problems with documents for spouses?

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:37 am

dora.g wrote:To benifa: we were considering Ireland, but according to people on this forum Ireland is not very friendly to third-country spouses of EU citizens residing in Ireland. I don't want to move to a country where I will have problems getting residence documents.

If you are married to an EEA national who is (will be) exercising a Treaty right in Ireland, you will not have a problem receiving the Residence Card you are (will be) entitled to.

jhbmike · Post by **jhbmike** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 1:22 pm

deleted

mochyn · Post by **mochyn** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:05 pm

dora.g wrote:To benifa: we were considering Ireland, but according to people on this forum Ireland is not very friendly to third-country spouses of EU citizens residing in Ireland. I don't want to move to a country where I will have problems getting residence documents.

To Wanderer: russians abound everywhere, and I have an impression that we are not popular anywhere (other than in Bulgary, probably). Spain and Italy are complete mess, I agree. What about Benelux? Do you know if there are any problems in terms of getting residence documents for third-country spouses of EU citizens?

Thanks for replies!

Why do you have this impression that Russians are not popular anywhere?

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:17 pm

mochyn wrote:
dora.g wrote:To benifa: we were considering Ireland, but according to people on this forum Ireland is not very friendly to third-country spouses of EU citizens residing in Ireland. I don't want to move to a country where I will have problems getting residence documents.

To Wanderer: russians abound everywhere, and I have an impression that we are not popular anywhere (other than in Bulgary, probably). Spain and Italy are complete mess, I agree. What about Benelux? Do you know if there are any problems in terms of getting residence documents for third-country spouses of EU citizens?

Thanks for replies!
Why do you have this impression that Russians are not popular anywhere?

I like 'em cos they stood up to the USA! And the language, literature and culture....

mochyn · Post by **mochyn** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:54 pm

Language, literature and culture!

Something the Americans don't have?

Prawo · Post by **Prawo** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:21 pm

The Netherlands will not provide you any problems.

You do not even have to get married so you can choose time and place whenever it suits you best.

Most of us speak English, but it would be nice if you learn Dutch in due course.
No obligation however.

Post by **Directive/2004/38/EC** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 5:26 pm

dora.g wrote:Hi all, I've been reading this forum for a while but this is my first post here. I'm a russian citizen legally residing in France as a student for the past 3 years. My boyfriend is British, he is self-employed in France. We are thinking about getting married and establishing our family in some European country. The question is which European country to choose?

We've looked at the legal procedures of family reunification in France and it looks like every prefecture is interpreting the Directive 2004/38/EC in their own way. I've been dealing with the French prefectures once a year since I moved here, and really don't want to continue doing so for the rest of my life.

What about France? It is a lovely country and you both know it well.

I think you will find it is very straight forward to stay there as a married couple. Your right to stay and work - exactly the same rights as your (EU) husband has.

Richard66 · Post by **Richard66** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 5:48 pm

For example, in France the fact that my fiance is self-employed is a problem. He doesn't have a work contract which for the authorities means that he might not have means to support his family any time in the future. Which means that I will be given a 1-year renewable residence (we talked to our local prefecture) and no French employer will want me with it.

They cannot do this: it is against their own transposition of the directive.

Immigrationboards.com: Immigration, work visa and work permit discussion board

Which EU country to choose to establish our family?

Which EU country to choose to establish our family?

Re: Which EU country to choose to establish our family?