Honeymoon in EU

[Noz03]

Sorry I've been reading and reading page after page but cant seem to find out this basic information.

I am a British citizen, temporary resident in Turkey and about to marry a Turkish citizen (we have also proof of living together for 2 years to show the marriage is legit).

I am wondering if and how I can take my wife to an EU destination for our honeymoon 1 week after our wedding? There seems so many options of visas, cards, and even someone told me to just goto the boarder with the marriage certificate. Which is the best for us?

Thanks very much!
-Noz

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

I've moved your post to the Europe forum.

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

For the UK, you could apply for a visit visa (pay fee and meet the requirements laid down).

For all other EU/EEA states you could apply for a visa. The visa will be free, it will be facilitated and you will have to satisfy minimum criteria. These being that you are family members, will travel together and hold valid passports.

[Noz03]

For the UK, you could apply for a visit visa (pay fee and meet the requirements laid down).

For all other EU/EEA states you could apply for a visa. The visa will be free, it will be facilitated and you will have to satisfy minimum criteria. These being that you are family members, will travel together and hold valid passports.

Thx, where can I get this visa though? Consulate of the country I intend to visit first? Also how long would/should it take? We are hoping to take our holiday within a week of being married, this is my main concern.

Edit: for EU countries other than the UK, not sure why we have to pay for my own country but still, this time will be somewhere other than the UK

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

Edit: for EU countries other than the UK, not sure why we have to pay for my own country but still, this time will be somewhere other than the UK :)

There is a very good reason for this and that is that the UK chooses to charge for this. (Some other countries do not charge spouses of their own nationals for visas).

You as an EU citizen have the right of free movement. This also applies to your family members accompanying or joining you. The right of free movement does not normally apply in your own country.

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

Thx, where can I get this visa though? Consulate of the country I intend to visit first? Also how long would/should it take? We are hoping to take our holiday within a week of being married, this is my main concern.

Where do you intend to visit? Normally, it is the country of main visit, or of first entry if there is no main destination.

You might find that one week after marriage a little tight.

Note also that EU countries recognise durable partnerships.

Have you read directive 2004/38/EC? It explains your rights.

[Noz03]

We are thinking about Croatia, but I guess if it is just one visa for the whole of europe, not one for each country then I could get it from any of the consulates right?

The other thing is it might take some time for the marriage to be officially registered in the UK and get my UK marriage certificate, but a Turkish marriage certificate should be fine too right?

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

You will be aware that Croatia is not yet an EU member (soon to be). You may find that things take a little time to bed down once Croatia does join.

In general, the important point is that you demonstrate you are married.

[Noz03]

By the way, will the EU free movement right apply for Turkish marriage certificate? Or do I need to wait for the UK to recognise it, no idea how long that will take but something else I have to pay for....

[EUsmileWEallsmile]

It will depend on the country. The UK simply requires a translation. Others are more fussy - sorry there are so many, you'd need to check this out for yourself.