Something I had always wanted to do but put it in the back of my mind as I didn't want to leave friends and family. Had a dream I was back in England a few weeks ago and I have been obsessed ever since.

I'm actually Australian and my husband is English. We lived in the UK for a year and now in Aus for three. I miss the UK though. There's just so much more to do, see, explore. So much more culture. I love it. Europe, pets. The houses.

So it's set. Once my husband has his citizenship in two years we will go. We are spending this year paying off the last of our debt which will be done by June and then the other half of the year saving for a baby. Then the year after if I go at my current saving rate I will have 20k saved.

I'm feeling positive. Though we do need to fly with a heavy 50kg dog and two cats so I am worried about that..

At work today I've written a list of prep for England, ideal house, pets, things to do in Aus before we leave (fun), bills and well I'm just sorted. As well as everything we need for the baby.

It's gonna be a long wait but bring on the next few years!

Will you be able to get a visa to live in UK long term? That's often a sticking point for non EU spouses. You've a while to get that sorted though.

Good Luck! Once you've made your decision it's quite a relief to be working towards it!

We will just go the spouse visa route as we will meet the requirements.

Otherwise my mother is French and I can go that way!

If I could get a EU passport I certainly wouldn't bother with the hassle and expense of coming into the UK through the family immigration system.

I'm pretty sure that it will be much cheaper (and quicker) for you to get a French EU passport than paying for - and the hassle of more form filling - a spousal visa.

Personally I would definitely go for the passport option. I think it would probably be easier to register for a doctor and open a bank account etc. in the UK with an EU passport too.

What if the UK pulls out of the European community, then what?

I just can't see it happening tbh.

Easier for just about everything.

The spousal route of multiple visas of short time frames doesn't make integration into life easy at all.

Congratulations on making your decision - it all sounds very positive. Just keep focused and you should be fine. Plan ahead and don't let things get in the way. You've done well to give yourself plenty of time, not only for planning but also for thinking things through properly - something which really must be done with a big decision like this.

I'd agree but every single time I call the embassy they don't answer and we aren't making progress! Guess I'll keep trying!

Maybe BritInParis will see this thread. I bet he can help you figure it out.

Thanks

I've just emailed the Australian embassy in France and the France one in Australia. I'll call after work and see if they answer .

If I am in the UK on a EU passport I can settle and do anything, right?

Yes you can.

The Aussie embassy in France told me I need to contact the French Authorities. Uhhh

Argh. My Grandma hasn't recorded my mum into her book.

If I get my mums birth certificate and my Grandmas. Surely it proves my mother is French and I can get some kind of identity document. I'm so confused as the information is different everywhere.