Hi all My wife Darlene has decided she would like to visit the continent. Can any one advise me on which would be the best country to target for the easiest application process? I would take my camper van and drive through to Greece for instance. Darlene is here on a spouse visa so has all the required UK residence papers and no doubt her NHS will cover the medical side of things. Perhaps many of you have taken your wives in the last 6 months or so thanks in advance jonathan
If I was you I would apply for a Schengen visa for France as you will be entering that country first if you are taking the ferry, problem is, if you are driving as far as Greece then you will be driving through a couple of non Schengen countries. See the map below; http://www.polgeonow.com/2016/03/what-is-schengen-list-countries-map.html
There are ferry routes between Brindisi, Bari, Ancona and Ravena in Italy to and from Corfu and mainland Greece.
Yes, there are certainly ferry routes to avoid any non Schengen countries, I was just making the OP aware of the mapping of the Schengen area.
The NHS will only cover you in Europe if you both get an E111 card. You need a Schengen visa for your first country that you will enter which, presumably, would be France.
Your Schengen visa should be sought from the country in which you will spend most time. If that cannot be ascertained, then as Maharg says, the first country in which you land. You do not have to stick by this once your visa is granted and you may enter the Schengen Zone wherever you choose. You could for instance get your Schengen visa from France and then change your mind and travel to Holland, or even to Norway (which is in an unusual position as being a non-EU Schengen Zone member) and then travel wherever takes your fancy Be aware that there are two types of visa - one which allows for ONE entry into the Schengen zone. You must not try to leave the Schengen Zone (for instance travelling overland to Greece, passing from Hungary or Slovenia into the Balkan states and then try to enter into Greece) For this you would need a multiple entry visa. Speak to whichever Embassy/Consulate and make sure that they are aware of your itinerary and your need for a multiple entry visa. As your wife is a) a resident of the UK, b) the holder of an EH111 card and c) travelling with you, her visa should be a formality. EH111 card. Copy and paste from http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx Families Every family member requires an EHIC. You can make an application for yourself and on behalf of your partner and any dependent children under the age of 16. If you already have an EHIC, you must enter your own details first and apply for any additional cards when prompted. If you are under the age of 16, a parent or guardian will need to apply for you. Boarding school teaching staff can apply on behalf of any children in their care. You will need to give the following information for each person you are making an application for: full name date of birth National Insurance (NI) number or NHS Number (CHI number in Scotland, or Health and Care Number in Northern Ireland) Temporary NI numbers cannot be used to apply for an EHIC. A temporary NI number uses the prefix "TN", the person's date of birth, and "M" or "F" to denote gender – for example, TN131160M. Your card will normally arrive within seven days if you apply using the official EHIC website. Non-EEA nationals If you or a family member are not an EEA or Swiss national, you will have to provide further evidence that you are eligible. You will need to complete an EHIC application form (PDF, 425kb), attach a copy of your visa or UK residence permit, and post it to: NHS Business Services Authority European Health Insurance Card EHIC applications Bridge House 152 Pilgrim Street Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6SN Remember that the EH111 card does not mean that all treatment is free. You may be required to pay for treatment in the same ways that the nationals of that country would be required. Not all EU countries have a free NHS. For this reason, travel insurance might be prudent.
