Quote Originally Posted by Arthur Little View Post
Hmm ... interesting! 's what I've often thought. They must surely think the British are a "bunch of doughnuts"!
Doughnuts that smell like elderberries.

Though to be honest, most EU members are getting it wrong, the Brits don't want to give visa free access to holders of resident cards that say "family member of an EU/EAA national" on it. Even though these can travel visa free around the EU if they travel with this family member. And asking for a RP that is valid for at least 3 months after returning to the UK is silly too, the passport should be valid for at least 3 months upon returning but there is not any requirement about how long a residence permit or card should be valid for. For those travelling with their EU/EAA spouse it's even less relevant. Those should even be able to travel around on expired papers (not something I'd suggest though!).

Before anyone asks about skipping VFS, see article 17 of the Schengen Visa Code (810/2009/EC) or the smaller of two handbooks available on the EU Home Affairs website, page 21-22 concerning direct access.

In all it's a bloody shame that Embassies are making it rather difficult for us all who wish to enjoy time with our partner (spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend) from abroad. At least it's easier traveling to another EU/EAA country as a married couple but it's not always as fast and easy as it should be.