I have just received a letter from the IPS in response to my query about whether Expats can obtain the new ID card - having previously pasted contents from a letter on this site without prior approval of the sender I have asked their permission to post its contents onto online forums.

At this stage I will add, having read all the threads, there is an awful lot of incorrect and misinformed assumptions being made about the UK ID card system and if people want the facts I suggest they look here:

http://idsmart.direct.gov.uk/about-t...#types-of-card


I have read a post on another forum from a man who claims to have successfully entered Spain (Almeria airport) using only his new UK ID card.

Quoting this part...Identity cards will eventually be available to everyone over the age of 16 who has the right to live in the UK. I don´t see why Expats will not be able to apply. I have the right (by law) to live in the UK.

Agreed.

Then we have a convenient card to carry around, which being a government issued card proves our ID.

We could travel around the EU on it (cheaper than a passport)

The only snag (apart from having to visit the UK to have it issued, I can't see the IPS opening an office here) is that it won't have our NIE on it - but on occasions (like notary we can produce our NIE form/new residencia form)

Anyway at this stage it is not mandatory so for all the sceptics - don't bother with it.

What a sad lot we are - the Spanish DNI is now issued in a 'E' format for them to have access to lots of useful online services. I call this 21st century progress - doubtless the Forum Luddites will have their say.

Unfortunately, although you are clearly right about the "right to live" bit, there is also an "and" and that is the UK resident rule!

Bugger!

Has anyone phoned them and asked what is their official stance on Expats aplications/availability of these cards?

I emailed the Identity Commuissioner and received this reply.

"We are aware that at present, IPS is not issuing ID cards to British citizens living abroad. Although the Commissioner continues to monitor and review the roll-out of the Identity Scheme, it remains for IPS to decide how it does so. "

If you read all the info provided on the IPS website and read the actual law that created the ID card then it is 100% clear that you must have your principle place of residence in the UK.

Fred James - 'If you read all the info provided on the IPS website and read the actual law that created the ID card then it is 100% clear that you must have your principle place of residence in the UK'.
It looks like, once again, expats are treated as second class citizens of Europe!

I have moved the posts regarding Spanish Citizenship to a new thread.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=654609

And why not? Most here are British citizens that choose to live in another country, and those that are time qualified, do not choose to take out Spanish citizenship. You want the best of both worlds. You choose to emigrate from UK, why do you think you should be treated the same as UK residents? Given that most here hate YUK, love Spain, but when I've asked previously how many that are time qualified have taken Spanish citizenship, the answer has been a big fat zero! Despite much slagging off of YUK, it seems practically everyone here for some strange reason wants to hang onto some vestige of "britishness" in the form of the famous red passport, or now, a UK residents ID card as well.

Edit. Just read the other thread, johncar61 has applied, well done you, John.

Don´t forget that they were talking of charging £110-140 for ID cards less than 6 months ago.

You will of course still need the pasport to travel further afield such as the US of A.

But if I get mine before I become resident in Spain later this year and I still have strong links to uk then I don´t see them taking it off me just as I will keep my passport.

Our apps arrive thursday and will be returned monday by courier then we will make an appointment to go to London office in April. Will post on the success or not about May.

can you get them in Milton Keynes?

what about this bit?

Agoreira what is your problem? It´s as if you´ve just taken every expat, thrown us all in a bag and catagorized us in some group you´ve imagined in your head. We´re all individuals here and we all have our onw situations and circumstances. I certainly don´t "hate" the UK I just felt that the quality of life could be better in another country and I had something to bring and offer to other said countries.
I as an individual do not want to "hang onto some vestige of "britishness"" but would like, if possible, to have the possibility of an identity card for reasons that have already been mentioned in this post both by myself and others on here. I couldn´t care less about my passport or which country it´s from and it will only be a matter of time before identity cards, passports and medical cards etc. are all rolled into one.