As a family member of an EU national, the duration you can stay in the EU depends on whether you are accompanying or joining your EU family member, and the type of documentation you hold.
These 27 countries are current members of the European Union.
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
If you have the required documents, you are entitled to stay for up to three months in each EU country without any additional conditions or formalities. This rule applies as long as you are accompanying or joining your EU family member. You can combine stays in different EU countries without an overall time limit.
Example Scenario
Marco, an Italian national, lives in France. He travels for an EU-wide research project, spending three months in Austria, three months in Germany, and two months in Luxembourg. His American spouse, Susan, can join him for the entire duration of his stay in each country because her stays are not subject to an overall time limit.
For stays longer than three months, you may need to apply for a visa and then residence card as a family member of an EU national in the host country. This usually requires proof of your relationship (e.g., marriage or birth certificate) and proof that your family member resides in that country. The residence card allows you to stay for longer periods, typically up to five years, and can be renewed.
Permanent Residence
After legally residing in the host EU country for five continuous years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence.
Traveling Independently
If you travel on your own without a valid residence card or residence permit, you are subject to the standard Schengen rules, which limit your stay to 90 days within a 180-day period across the entire Schengen area.
Giuditta Petreni has over 10 years of experience in assisting companies and business investors with relocation of managers and staff to Italy. Giuditta has extensive experience advising corporate and private clients on a full range of Italian immigration categories. She is fluent in Italian and English.
Related posts:
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Moving around the European Union as a couple
Non-EU family members of EU citizens living in Italy: what happens if the principal does not have an income in Italy?
