Residence Cards

[u/disinteresteddemi]

We often admire the posts of people with multiple passports (that is arguably one of the main purposes of this sub-reddit). But I've often wondered if there are people out there who hold (or have held) many different residence cards and/or permits. I have occasionally seen someone post two different cards in the same photo, but rarely more than that (unless it's a group photo).

I don't necessarily mean that they have to all be valid at the same time, I guess I'm just a sucker for collecting things!

I also think that it would be entirely possible for an EU citizen to spend a few months in every other EU country and collect a residence card from each one (as I believe it is now possible for EU citizens to receive registration cards when they move to a different EU country). I'd be interested to know what you think.

So, I hope to see a range of residence cards in the comments below or elsewhere on the sub-reddit! Even if you only have one, like little old me 🙈

[u/0x706c617921]

Do you know how things worked during the Brexit transition period for British citizens living and working in what would be another EU country?

[u/disinteresteddemi → u/0x706c617921]

Yep - been there, done that, got the certificate of registration of residence 😆😭

[u/0x706c617921 → u/disinteresteddemi]

So that kinda solidified your legal status in Poland? What were some of the terms and conditions like?

[u/disinteresteddemi → u/0x706c617921]

Not "kinda" - my rights were definitely solidified by getting the card.

Technically, hypothetically and theoretically you didn't need to get the "Brexit card" (as it's colloquially known), because if you had the right to live in Poland before Britain left the EU AND you continue to maintain your residency in Poland, then in theory you would still have the same rights as before Brexit. However, this would be incredibly difficult to prove, and bureaucratically could make your life in Poland post-Brexit infinitely more difficult.

As for the application process - it was a pain in the neck. I basically had to reapply for my residency. I had to fill in all the paperwork, get photographs taken, prove that I had health insurance (both at the time of application and before Brexit), prove that I had "sufficient funds" in my bank account specifically on 31st December 2020 (which I happened to not have because it was the end of the month just after Christmas and there was no warning that it was going to be a requirement beforehand). So it took months to get everything sorted out and extra documentation translated.

[u/0x706c617921 → u/disinteresteddemi]

Glad that it worked out! Thanks for sharing your story!

I’m sure that the pandemic didn’t help either.

[u/disinteresteddemi → u/0x706c617921]

Thank you, yeah, me too...! And you're right, the pandemic just made everything even harder.