Expat ID card - future solution?
 

I discovered today that the UK is going ahead with Identity cards on a voluntary basis.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governme...ards/DG_174258

So I assume we could obtain a card which would be acceptable as ID in Spain (given it is issued by a government) and also we could travel with it around the EU.

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

Don`t say that, I have just paid an arm and a leg for a bloody passport.

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

When the original ID card was being suggested some time ago, it was not going to be available to non UK residents.

There is nothing on their current website to confirm or deny this.

I have contacted the IPS for clarification.

The new ID card will not be generally available until 2012.

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

Can't see the point.

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

The main point is that it is an ID card. If you don't want a pasport (because you don't travel), then in Spain you have no way of proving your identity.

I absolutely object to having to get a passport when I don't travel!

Why can't Spain issue Expats with an ID card of some sort - based on NIE, DL, residencia or whatever!

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

They used to. Some expats felt that having one was a breach of their human rights, took it to the EU and as a consequence we don't have them any more.

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

Problem is - even a British ID card isn't going to have your Spanish NIE number on it - therefore won't be much use.
My wife - who has the AMAZING good fortune to NOT be European - has just got herself a new residencia card (just like we used to have). :)

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

Yes you are right a UK card would not have the Spanish NIE on it. It still could be used for EU travel though - save on passport fees!

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

I bet they'd find a way of charging us 100 euros for one though:rolleyes:

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

The Spanish ID card / extrajaneros will not let you cross the frontier to Gibraltar.

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

The proposed ID card would be in every way equivalent to a national ID card and there would be no requirement to present a passport as ID unless travelling outside the EU.

Of course it wouldn't have a Spanish NIE on it any more than a French or German ID card would.

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

The old residencia card could not be used for travel - it got me out of Spain but not into the UK.

But a UK national ID card will permit EU travel.

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

I know of people whot traveled to Uk with residencia cards and others with Gib ID cards (Not Gib nationals who can still travel on their cards) before Schengen came into operation but not afterwards.

But note with reference to Gibraltar, Spain insists Gib is not in Europe

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

Ive sent parcels to Gib.

You need a customs label, like those for outside EU.

If Gibraltar was in the EU we could take as many ciggies and alcohol and other aparently duty free high value goods across the boarder with ease.

I do not believe that Gibraltar is in the EU zone.

Long may it stay that way.:)

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

Gibraltar is in the EU but the normal customs exemptions and other EU policies do not apply.

http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_n...atus_in_eu.htm

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

Actually not having the NIE number on it would not stop you using it for ID when using a credit/debit card in Spain and my French neighbour just told me she used her French ID card at the Spanish notary so I think they would be useful.

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

:confused:

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

Well - what's clear is that neither the UK nor Spain has much time for 'The Europeans' or whatever those of us are called who live in another part of Europe than our own.
'Cosmospolitans', maybe!

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

It does look like the new ID card will not be readily available for non residents of the UK.

I have had a (typically vague) response from the UK IPS as follows.


"With regards to your specific enquiry, the identity card will be available to all United Kingdom residents and British citizens living abroad will not need cards, although the Identity Cards Act 2006 is sufficiently flexible to allow regulations to be made enabling British citizens resident overseas to register, when suitable infrastructure is available, for example before returning to live in the United Kingdom."

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

That is ridiculous - why do they not encourage everyone after all it will not be free.

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

When they find out that only 3 people in the whole of the UK want one and all of the Expats do - then they might change their minds!

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

Like it Fred!

Re: Expat ID card - future solution?
 

Si Senor!