Can I travel within the Schengen area without a passport if I have my residency permit card?

Can I travel within the Schengen area without a passport if I have my residency permit card? - Facade of contemporary hotel and residential house in Paris

I am currently located in the Netherlands and have lived here for 4 years. I have a working visa for the Netherlands and would like to go on vacation to another country in Europe. I however do currently not have my passport as i sent it to an embassy for a visa application. Will I still be able to travel inside of Europe without a passport if I have my residency ID?

I have a resident permit, not a true Dutch ID. And I own a passport that is currently in transit.

I have called with the KLM and the service employee's conclusion was that I do need to carry my passport with me when i am going to fly, so it seems all I can do is wait and hope my passport is returned to me in the next few days as the amsterdam US consulate (who currently holds my passport) is incredibly difficult to contact for urgent matters.



Best Answer

What you have is a common format residence permit. It looks very much like a Dutch national ID card (same format and general appearance, but the colours are different) and is actually a valid ID for many purposes within the Netherlands. It even says "Identiteitsbewijs" on the card itself, which is arguably a little confusing.

What EU law calls a "national ID card" is a different document, which is enough to enter and reside in any EU/EEA country and Switzerland on its own (not only Schengen countries) and even to visit a handful of other countries (e.g. Turkey). In the Netherlands, it is called Identiteitskaart and issued only to Dutch citizens (the rights I just mentioned are attached to Dutch citizenship). By contrast, if you go out of the Schengen area, as a citizen of a non-EU country, you need a passport or another travel document together with your residence permit to cross the border.

In practice, your residence permit might be better than nothing when moving within the Schengen area but it's not necessarily a valid ID in other Schengen countries and it's not enough to enter the Schengen area. I suspect most airlines wouldn't let you board a plane with it either (whereas you can often board a flight entirely within the Schengen area only with your passport, i.e. they don't generally check your status).

Safest is always to carry both documents, you might get away with only one or the other in some situations but only both together can officially prove both your ID and your status, in all EU countries or when crossing an external border.




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Can I travel in Schengen with residence permit only?

Holding a residence permit in Germany (or any other Schengen country, in fact) entitles you to free travel within the Schengen zone for the duration of your visa or permit.

Can you travel between Schengen countries without a passport?

If you are an EU national, or are visiting a Schengen country, you can travel anywhere within the Schengen Area without a passport, just by showing ID with your photo on it. However, you must always carry your passport with you when you travel around the Schengen Area.

Do I need a Schengen visa if I have a BRP?

British citizens are covered by a Schengen visa waiver. This means you do not need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit these countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for: tourist travel. some business activities, such as attending meetings.

Can I enter Europe with residence permit?

Travellers with residence permits Then you are allowed to be in all countries of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Besides your passport or other travel document, take your residence permit with you when you travel.



THE SCHENGEN ZONE TRAVEL EXPLAINED - DIGITAL NOMAD TV




More answers regarding can I travel within the Schengen area without a passport if I have my residency permit card?

Answer 2

I have travelled through out "Europe" may times on four wheels and two wheels and have never been stopped in-between countries. The so-called borders are closed and all countries have "free" movement through out the EU.

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