Can a non-EU citizen with residency visa traveling with me come with me through the EU passport line, when entering Schengen area?
- By
- Aparna Patel
- |
- 19 Jul, 2023
- |
There’s also a different security aspect – I (UK citizen) was told off for not bringing my wife (then only ILR) through the UK&EU queue because I was sitting on the seats beyond immigration – I got the impression that they don’t like people waiting there in case they are spying on how the process works.
My experience is that a bit of common sense is applied for people travelling together and they will let you both through in the shortest queue. This also assists when they as for reason for visit etc. This applies when I’ve been going into UK, Thailand, and France.
With a residency visa and accompanied by you it is worth a try, but no guarantees.
I’ve had this several times in Germany with my girlfriend, who has a non-european citizenship, but a residence permit. The first time we entered Germany together, I stood with her the “all passports” queue and when we finally came to the counter, the officer looked at us and asked why we hadn’t gone to the “EU” line. Which after this we did and never had issues.
This may not be official policy, however.
Addendum:
A study details the differences of member states treatment of unmarried partnerships. For example, about Germany it writes:
“Germany […] does not include common spouse partnerships and does therefore not seem to recognise the principle of durable relationship.”
Generally not. Non-EU citizens who are family members of EU citizens within the meaning of the free movement directive are entitled to use the EU passport lines at Schengen borders, but other traveling companions are not (see articles 10(2) and 2(5) of the Schengen Borders Code).
You can of course accompany him in the “all passports” queue. While that won’t save any time, it should at least be less boring and/or more convivial.
Credit:stackoverflow.com‘