Your rights in the EU as ILR holder

[tt]

What are your rights in the EU (outside the UK) as an ILR holder?

Do you have better chances/rights of (temporary/permanent) residency/work in other EU countries than if you were simply a non-EU citizen?

You hear rumblings within the EU about giving "permanent residents" (includes UK ILR holders?) of EU countries the ability to carry those rights across to other EU countries....
2003/109/EC and so on...

[Smit]

At present, ILR carries weight only in the UK. Only when you get BC do you get EU wide rights.

[tt]

Except, as John correctly points out, with the ILR, you will not need a visa to Switzerland (had you otherwise needed one because of your nationality).

But also, what about this new EU Directive 2003/109/EC to be implemented by 23 Jan 2006. But, it seems that the UK has opted out of it (as has Ireland and Denmark).

Does this affect, or are there any other EU Directives on the way affecting ILR holders/permanent residents of the UK, I wonder?

[Kayalami]

UK retains its veto on immigration and has exercised it in regards to stated directive. AFAIK this will not change especially given the rejected EU constitution.

Most countries work on the basis of reciprocity so may exclude long term legal residents of UK = ILR holders from directive provisions given the UK does not recognise their long term legal residents.

In any case UK economy most dynamic in the EU (along with Republic of Ireland). Opportunities and labour flow thus towards UK hence the government opt out - impact to be compounded by Romania and Bulgaria joining EU in 2007. Given said scenario why do you expect the opposite with labour flows to the continent? The far east is where all the action is - on the premise that you may be a national of a country in the region is there scope for being part of this? (your post on list of nationalities for 1st phase of mandatory EC clearance back in Nov 2003 eliminates most that allow dual nationality = primarily none South East Asia)

[Smit]

tt,

You do not have to be an ILR holder to gain access to Switzerland visa free, anyone with a UK visa valid for more than 6 months (e.g HSMP, work permit, spouse) can visit Switzerland visa free.

S

[aakpome]

Can they visit Germany visa-free too?

[bani]

Can they visit Germany visa-free too?

no, for Germany you need to apply for a Schengen visa at the German consulate.

[tt]

Can't ILR holders get the new EHIC Card (European Health Insurance Card) now? (It's a replacement of the E111 Form). Which allows free health care which is necessary while travelling within the EU/EEA?

PS When Switzerland joins Schengen (passed recently in their referendum), then the ILR will not have the automatic visafree status anymore, I guess. When will this occur?