Newly minted EU citizen

[lunna]

Hi all - I don't know where else to post this, but this looks like as good as any forum to do so -

So, now that I have my EU passport, I'm curious to know whether there are any 'perks' (other than not worrying about the ninety day limit for staying in the EU and avoiding the non-EU line(s) at the airports, that I should be aware of while going on another long walk in Europe. Happy to hear your thoughts, suggestions, tips, discounts, etc.

Thanks -

PS - I am a dual US-EU (Polish) citizen.

 

[Corned Beef]

Discount on entry to the Alcazar in Seville.

 

[KWay]

Hi all - I don't know where else to post this, but this looks like as good as any forum to do so -

So, now that I have my EU passport, I'm curious to know whether there are any 'perks' (other than not worrying about the ninety day limit for staying in the EU and avoiding the non-EU line(s) at the airports, that I should be aware of while going on another long walk in Europe. Happy to hear your thoughts, suggestions, tips, discounts, etc.

Thanks -

PS - I am a dual US-EU (Polish) citizen.

We love Poland! Great place to visit. Met a guy I. May while visiting Krakow who walked from his Krakow home to Santiago!

 

[Kirkie]

Hi all - I don't know where else to post this, but this looks like as good as any forum to do so -

So, now that I have my EU passport, I'm curious to know whether there are any 'perks' (other than not worrying about the ninety day limit for staying in the EU and avoiding the non-EU line(s) at the airports, that I should be aware of while going on another long walk in Europe. Happy to hear your thoughts, suggestions, tips, discounts, etc.

Thanks -

PS - I am a dual US-EU (Polish) citizen.

Congratulations, and welcome to the club.
I am once more an EU citizen, a year older in time than you.
The benefits are the knowledge that you are actually on home ground, that you belong in a different way. The responsibility that comes with that is part of the perks you may be asking about. Respect for and awareness of the struggles of others who are not of the same status, and have to literally mind their step, and not overstep the rules.
I am thinking out loud, prompted by what it actually means to me. It helps me to breathe properly while passing customs checks.
Are we not very lucky people?
I think I have always been aware that my original passport and now my new EU passport afford me what you may be calling perks that are hard won by those with other citizenships.
Discounts are peripheral, in this context, for me.
I will not elaborate as it could veer into dangerous and prohibited territory in this forum.
Enjoy the freedom your new status affords you. And, buen camino!

 

[TravellingMan22]

In terms of discounts I don’t think there are too
many available and of those that are, many are age related. In Italy a huge number of museums are free to enter on the first Sunday of every months but that is to all folks, not just certain nationalities. I have come across pricing structures that favours EU cotizens, but not many, and nothing like you might see in China for example.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

You may find that visting some countries outside of Europe and North America can be easier or cheaper with one passport than the other. The permitted length of stay might be longer also.

 

[TravellingMan22]

You may find that visting some countries outside of Europe and North America can be easier or cheaper with one passport than the other. The permitted length of stay might be longer also.

Indeed. I have a UK and an Irish passport. I always check if one is ‘better’ then another and in nearly all cases (outside of EU countries) there is no difference. Of course the one time I didn’t check and travelled to Vietnam using my Irish passport, and found out I needed a visa, whereas if I had used my UK one, I wouldn’t have needed a visa. To compound it you need to state your entry and exit points to the Vietnam Embassy and I had to change a few times so I ended up with multiple visa applications!

 

[MirtaC]

Hi all - I don't know where else to post this, but this looks like as good as any forum to do so -

So, now that I have my EU passport, I'm curious to know whether there are any 'perks' (other than not worrying about the ninety day limit for staying in the EU and avoiding the non-EU line(s) at the airports, that I should be aware of while going on another long walk in Europe. Happy to hear your thoughts, suggestions, tips, discounts, etc.

Thanks -

PS - I am a dual US-EU (Polish) citizen.

Hi Lunna! Congrats on your dual citizenship. I personally could have gotten dual but I was told that as a dual citizen I would need to file taxes in both countries. Not sure if you are aware of that.
Other than that, I see no time constraints for you on doing the Caminos!

 

[lunna]

Hi Lunna! Congrats on your dual citizenship. I personally could have gotten dual but I was told that as a dual citizen I would need to file taxes in both countries. Not sure if you are aware of that.
Other than that, I see no time constraints for you on doing the Caminos!

Hi Mirta thanks! I think, at least with respect to US-Polish dual citizenship, unless I were to reside in Poland, I wouldn't have to pay any taxes there (I don't know if that would be the case if i owned any property there, but I don't, so that's a moot point). That said, you would have to pay taxes in whatever country you do reside within the EU, as I understand it. But the good news is that, while the US is one of the few countries that require everyone to file a tax return, irrespective of where you reside (that goes for non-dual citizens as well), there are various tax treaties, foreign earned tax credits, etc. that are designed to avoid, in general, double taxation.

So, I think that unless you are earning a very substantial amount of money, the tax burden of being a dual citizen with an EU country may not be so great, depending on your particular situation, and the advantages of being a EU citizen (among other things, right to residency throughout the EU, the right to work, education, etc.) might make it worthwhile to consider if you're eligible.

 

[towanda1961]

Hi Mirta thanks! I think, at least with respect to US-Polish dual citizenship, unless I were to reside in Poland, I wouldn't have to pay any taxes there (I don't know if that would be the case if i owned any property there, but I don't, so that's a moot point). That said, you would have to pay taxes in whatever country you do reside within the EU, as I understand it. But the good news is that, while the US is one of the few countries that require everyone to file a tax return, irrespective of where you reside (that goes for non-dual citizens as well), there are various tax treaties, foreign earned tax credits, etc. that are designed to avoid, in general, double taxation.

So, I think that unless you are earning a very substantial amount of money, the tax burden of being a dual citizen with an EU country may not be so great, depending on your particular situation, and the advantages of being a EU citizen (among other things, right to residency throughout the EU, the right to work, education, etc.) might make it worthwhile to consider if you're eligible.

Correct. We have dual US/Italian citizenship and have never paid taxes in Italy. We’ve lived in Spain and Portugal and file taxes there but each has a tax agreement with the US to avoid double taxation.

 

[MirtaC]

Hi Mirta thanks! I think, at least with respect to US-Polish dual citizenship, unless I were to reside in Poland, I wouldn't have to pay any taxes there (I don't know if that would be the case if i owned any property there, but I don't, so that's a moot point). That said, you would have to pay taxes in whatever country you do reside within the EU, as I understand it. But the good news is that, while the US is one of the few countries that require everyone to file a tax return, irrespective of where you reside (that goes for non-dual citizens as well), there are various tax treaties, foreign earned tax credits, etc. that are designed to avoid, in general, double taxation.

So, I think that unless you are earning a very substantial amount of money, the tax burden of being a dual citizen with an EU country may not be so great, depending on your particular situation, and the advantages of being a EU citizen (among other things, right to residency throughout the EU, the right to work, education, etc.) might make it worthwhile to consider if you're eligible.

Thanks for the info!

 

[SeaHorse]

I have family in Poland. Great country! Moving ahead so fast, incredible.
As for special perks of EU passport apart from no worries about length of stay, I don't know although I also have an EU passport. Freedom of movement mainly. Can easier get a job in any EU country if that's relevant to you. And settle there to live without any obstacles, even without a job, just proof of income.

 

[happymarkos]

Congratulations, and welcome to the club.
I am once more an EU citizen, a year older in time than you.
The benefits are the knowledge that you are actually on home ground, that you belong in a different way. The responsibility that comes with that is part of the perks you may be asking about. Respect for and awareness of the struggles of others who are not of the same status, and have to literally mind their step, and not overstep the rules.
I am thinking out loud, prompted by what it actually means to me. It helps me to breathe properly while passing customs checks.
Are we not very lucky people?
I think I have always been aware that my original passport and now my new EU passport afford me what you may be calling perks that are hard won by those with other citizenships.
Discounts are peripheral, in this context, for me.
I will not elaborate as it could veer into dangerous and prohibited territory in this forum.
Enjoy the freedom your new status affords you. And, buen camino!

I think the medical benefits are excellent and a fraction of USA fees etc

 

[AnaRosario]

Hi all - I don't know where else to post this, but this looks like as good as any forum to do so -

So, now that I have my EU passport, I'm curious to know whether there are any 'perks' (other than not worrying about the ninety day limit for staying in the EU and avoiding the non-EU line(s) at the airports, that I should be aware of while going on another long walk in Europe. Happy to hear your thoughts, suggestions, tips, discounts, etc.

Thanks -

PS - I am a dual US-EU (Polish) citizen.

How do i get an EU passport?????

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

How do i get an EU passport?????

The term EU passport really means that you have a passport from one of the countries in the EU. I don't think the EU government even issues any to officials.

 

[TravellingMan22]

I think the medical benefits are excellent and a fraction of USA fees etc

There is not a ‘one size fits all’ medical policy across all EU countries and can’t be compared to a country as such.

 

[Kathar1na]

As to "medical benefits": The fact that someone has the nationality and the passport of an EU country does not mean that they have access to "free" public healthcare as a visitor in Spain.

You need to have an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). You get this card in your EU country of residence and you take it with you when you travel to Spain. In order to get the EHIC card you need to be enrolled and be able to prove your membership of the public health insurance system of the EU country where you live. Every EU country's public health insurance system is organised and financed in a specific way, different from those of the others.

Maybe Poland allows non-residents to enrol in theirs. I doubt it though.

General rule: "Medical benefits" are not linked to nationality, they are linked to residency and whether or not you qualify in the country where you live. If you are covered in your EU country of residence by public health care, you are also covered in Spain for necessary medical treatment during your visit in Spain. In many if not most EU countries, membership and rights to benefits is not automatic.

 

[tpmchugh]

Indeed. I have a UK and an Irish passport. I always check if one is ‘better’ then another and in nearly all cases (outside of EU countries) there is no difference. Of course the one time I didn’t check and travelled to Vietnam using my Irish passport, and found out I needed a visa, whereas if I had used my UK one, I wouldn’t have needed a visa. To compound it you need to state your entry and exit points to the Vietnam Embassy and I had to change a few times so I ended up with multiple visa applications!

I have an Irish passport but as I live in the North of Ireland I am entitled to a British subjects passport but never took up the option . I have had my Irish passport since 1970 but when it changed to an EU one I was initially reluctant to renew. I am a bit old fashioned. However, my Irish/EU passport does not as far as I know give me any perks. It just makes me feel European and part of something larger. I love being able to travel unhindered around Europe and that is the only perk if you can call it that. Believe it or not, initially I was what you might call a euro sceptic and definitely against the one currency. Now I am all for it. Travel anywhere in Europe and no need to change currency except for a few exceptions. Pity there are so many languages though

 

[TravellingMan22]

Well it’s an impossible thing to discuss I guess without invoking the ‘no politics’ rule!!!!

If you have eligibility for a UK passport it may be worth getting one. Different countries passports offer different visa rules and different reciprocal medical benefits.

For example the UK has reciprocal health agreements with quite a few of the European countries that are not covered by EHIC/GHIC.

 

[Kathar1na]

How do i get an EU passport?????

Type “how to get an EU passport“ into Google and off you go!!!!!

 

[lunna]

The term EU passport really means that you have a passport from one of the countries in the EU. I don't think the EU government even issues any to officials.

 

[lunna]

I of course know that, but it is a short hand that most folks generally understand to mean a passport from one of the EU member countries.

 

[lunna]

I have an Irish passport but as I live in the North of Ireland I am entitled to a British subjects passport but never took up the option . I have had my Irish passport since 1970 but when it changed to an EU one I was initially reluctant to renew. I am a bit old fashioned. However, my Irish/EU passport does not as far as I know give me any perks. It just makes me feel European and part of something larger. I love being able to travel unhindered around Europe and that is the only perk if you can call it that. Believe it or not, initially I was what you might call a euro sceptic and definitely against the one currency. Now I am all for it. Travel anywhere in Europe and no need to change currency except for a few exceptions. Pity there are so many languages though

Though it’s nice to have a couple of languages, but not too many

 

[David Tallan]

The benefits are the knowledge that you are actually on home ground, that you belong in a different way.

Funny, from my very first Camino in 1989, I had a very strong feeling of this benefit as a pilgrim on the Camino.