Is an EU residency permit for EU nationals a valid travel document within the EU?
I am a citizen of an EU member state, being a resident in another EU member state. I hold a both a national identity card of my birth country and a resident permit of my home country. In an answer to an earlier question I asked about traveling to the UK with an almost invalid national identity card it was mentioned that at least in the UK I should be given "every reasonable opportunity” to prove I am an EEA national. Given that information is printed on my resident permit, I am wondering to what extend such a resident permit is a valid travel document to travel within the EU.
Best Answer
You can enter any EU/EEA member country as long as you can prove your nationality by any means, according to Wikipedia:
Strictly speaking, it is not necessary for an EEA or Swiss citizen to possess a valid national identity card or passport to enjoy the right of free movement. In theory, if an EEA or Swiss citizen can prove his/her nationality by any other means (e.g. by presenting an expired national identity card or passport, or a citizenship certificate) he/she must be permitted to enter and reside in the EEA and Switzerland without a visa.
As you can see, as long as you can prove your nationaly by any means then you can travel to any EU/EEA country. Of course presenting a valid passport or national ID card should make things easier but any other document would work as well.
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Do I need visa if I have EU residence permit?
As holder of a residence permit issued by a Schengen country, you need no visa for short-term stays in other Schengen countries - so you need no visa for Germany either. In any 180 days period you may stay for up to 90 days maximum in another Schengen country.What is a EU residence certificate?
An EU Resident card is a document that can be obtained for the family member of a European Union citizen. Third-country nationals can be granted a long-term EU residence permit if they meet eligibility requirements. A long-term EU resident permit allows its holder to stay in a European country permanently.Where can I travel with EU residence permit?
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.Can I travel to UK with EU residence permit?
You cannot use an EU , EEA or Swiss national ID card to enter the UK unless you: have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man's settlement schemes. have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit, or the equivalent from Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.Rights of EU Citizens (That Many Somehow Don't know!)
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