Quote 1 :- Meaning that if you retire in another European country (than UK), you have no rights? I find this a stupid law...
My wife has no difficulty to get an EEA family permit and I know another French (a retired one) that had no difficulty to get one for his Filipina wife also.
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I believe when the EU was established it only related to workers (and maybe their families) rights. It has been amended here and there to include others. It is still the case in Spain that workers and their families do not need the Residence Certificate (previously the Residence Card) but retired people do.

Quote 2 :

John study this official document http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/...en00770123.pdf
and use it for discussing with the UK Embassy. Your wife should not pay for a visa to go to UK because you are retired... she should obtain at least an EEA Family Permit.

A workaround would be for you to find a work for 3 months (I.E. some consulting...), then after they can't refuse her.
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As I understand it the UK has not signed up to this Declaration so it’s not binding on them. Spain has signed it that's why there is no problem (except getting the paperwork from the various Gov Depts. in Phil) getting a visa for a spouse to come to Spain and settle here. I think the visa application cost 30€ and the 'interview' was a five minute chat with both of us at the counter.

It’s a good idea about getting a job for 3 months but we would still have the requirement that my wife would need to travel 500 KM to Madrid, stay overnight and attend an interview each time she wanted to go to UK or even shopping in Gibraltar.

As a Filipino, she has the right to apply for Spanish nationality when she has held Residencia for 2 years. Therefore, in January 2009 we will start that application. (It may take 3 years). I see it as rather stupid that she now has a Residencia issued by the Spanish but that’s not good enough to allow her to go to UK, but when the Spanish issue her with a Passport that will be good enough. As a former Police Officer, I know the Law is an Ass!

Thanks again Yves