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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask - if you suddenly found you could apply for an EU passport, would you apply and would you move?

152 replies

Peasbewithyou · 28/12/2020 08:57

I am British but have found out that I am likely eligible for an EU (Italian) passport (due to Italian ancestry) and therefore my children will also be eligible.

Before BREXIT I hadn’t really thought about it but last night I was idly wondering whether I should actually apply for it and if we could move. I quite like the idea of a big adventure. I didn’t grow up in the UK and also loved abroad as a young adult. I loved living abroad as a kid. I learnt a new language (sadly not Italian) and I think got a bit of a different perspective on the world.

But of course as an adult with a mortgage and kids and a career it’s all a bit of a different kettle of fish! I suspect it will probably be much too difficult to contemplate!

So, I’m curious to hear what others would do!

YABU - no I would stay put
YANBU - Bye! I’m off as soon as the passport hits the doormat.

OP posts:
Porcupineintherough · 29/12/2020 17:58

I'm entitled to a EU passport. If it were up to me, we'd have been off in 2017. But dh and dc (now teen) dc want to stay here, so that's that. I dont feel so strongly that I'd want to move against their will.

notafanoftheman · 29/12/2020 18:17

One good reason not to have done it before is because it’s fucking expensive.

Chloemol · 29/12/2020 18:24

No I wouldn’t. I am British and proud of that, and want to live in the UK

Iwantmorechocolate · 29/12/2020 19:02

@Mintjulia

No. I had a German grandmother and could apply, but I can't claim to be German just because of Brexit. I'm not.

I like living in the uk, my whole life is here. I've lived in Canada and Paris for work but I still prefer the UK.

You cut off any opportunities for your descendants by thinking like this. Maybe they would like to explore their german heritage 🤷‍♀️
Orangeteddy · 29/12/2020 19:09

One thing I don’t think anyone has mentioned is checking about National Service requirements. DS and I have the right to apply for citizenship of an EU country based on our heritage but would not do so as men are still required to commit to national service even if they don’t live there

NavyBerry · 29/12/2020 19:11

Oh yes! Already applying. And want my children to have it as well.

DGRossetti · 29/12/2020 19:13

@Orangeteddy

One thing I don’t think anyone has mentioned is checking about National Service requirements. DS and I have the right to apply for citizenship of an EU country based on our heritage but would not do so as men are still required to commit to national service even if they don’t live there
Do any EU countries still have national service ?

When I first went to Europe on my Italian passport Italy still had national service. I had to go to the consulate for an interview and exemption. The lady that I spoke to said that to the best of her knowledge no one had ever been made to do national service if they weren't resident. (Meaning that I know one Tory MP is a liar ....). The worst that would have happened would have been a detention on entry for a few hours until they twigged I didn't live there.

MrsWooster · 29/12/2020 19:17

Yes. Apply, so the kids can live /study/work in EU if they wish, though probably not move permanently now. I wish it were possible.

YonderTweek · 29/12/2020 19:17

@Orangeteddy

One thing I don’t think anyone has mentioned is checking about National Service requirements. DS and I have the right to apply for citizenship of an EU country based on our heritage but would not do so as men are still required to commit to national service even if they don’t live there
Is this Finland by any chance? I'm not entirely sure how it goes over there, but I seem to remember reading that you don't have to do it if you have a good enough reason, like you don't speak the language or don't live there, or something like that. I should really double check this before my son turns 18. Grin
Girlyracer · 29/12/2020 19:31

Absolutely not.

The UK has just jumped India to become the 5th largest economy in the world. Our little island. That's amazing and makes me feel secure.

I like island life generally, that makes me feel secure too.

I only speak English. I like my culture which I will pass to my children.

I love our countryside, it's beautiful.

I may criticise the rain, but our temperate climate is very safe and appealing.

A holiday home abroad, perhaps. Move abroad lock, stock and barrel? Never.

All those who are unhappy can ship out if they want.

EileenGC · 29/12/2020 19:34

Bloody hope that last post is ironic.

I like island life generally, that makes me feel secure too.
This was the best bit 😂

tulippa · 29/12/2020 19:40

I would definitely apply for the passport. I qualify for an Irish one but don't have the paperwork. Think I will try to see what I can do.
I wouldn't move straight away as DCs both in secondary school but would like to keep my options open depending on the direction the UK ends up going in. Wouldn't move to Ireland but quite fancy the Netherlands.

Camomila · 29/12/2020 19:42

Italy doesn't have national service any more does it? We are registered with AIRE and DBro never got called up.

I'm Italian (born there) and I'm getting both DC (born in UK) Italian passports and bringing them up bilingual. It gives them more options for university.

I really wanted to move back over Brexit (but didn't). I saw a thread about bringing back the death penalty - I think if it actually happened I'd seriously try to persuade DH to leave the UK.

Bamboo15 · 29/12/2020 19:43

100% yes.

LondonStone · 29/12/2020 20:16

DH and I are moving to Portugal in a few months and I will definitely be getting Portuguese citizenship. He has also just received his UK citizenship and British passport so we’re covered on all bases.

DH is Portuguese so this isn’t really a “big” move for us as we’ve been visiting together for years, we have family there, speak the language, etc. but it is exciting and it’s nice knowing our children will have the best of both worlds and will grow up at least bilingual (DH also speaks Spanish and French and some Italian!)

Orangeteddy · 29/12/2020 20:38

I was thinking of Austria for National Service

Hollybutnoivy · 29/12/2020 20:50

Camomila- military service was abolished about 20 years ago in Italy! Maybe a bit less.

Helmetbymidnight · 29/12/2020 20:54

All those who are unhappy can ship out if they want.

Actually we can't really, didn't you know that?

Yeah, OP, of course, it means you and your children have more choices and more opportunities and that's what most people want for their families.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 29/12/2020 20:59

@Girlyracer

Absolutely not.

The UK has just jumped India to become the 5th largest economy in the world. Our little island. That's amazing and makes me feel secure.

I like island life generally, that makes me feel secure too.

I only speak English. I like my culture which I will pass to my children.

I love our countryside, it's beautiful.

I may criticise the rain, but our temperate climate is very safe and appealing.

A holiday home abroad, perhaps. Move abroad lock, stock and barrel? Never.

All those who are unhappy can ship out if they want.

😂 awwww

Would actually like to ship out, but DH hasn't got EU passport. Shame. Shame.

laudemio · 29/12/2020 21:02

Yes we did this. It is a good idea. I want my children to have choices. Passports all sorted.

laudemio · 29/12/2020 21:02

Oh and we didn't have to move overseas to get them. Although we might when kids are older.

Porcupineintherough · 29/12/2020 21:13

All those who are unhappy can ship out if they want

I'm not sure you understand exactly how things work now. Hmm We had the freedom to settle in the EU and now most of us dont.

FuckOffDailyFailure · 29/12/2020 21:16

I have an EU passport and also a US passport. I'd love to move, but can't really leave the london area due to work. The only issue is the rest of my family wouldn't automatically be entitled to either of these passports, so it might be a lengthy process for them to get citizenship. Even with the passport it isn't necessarily plain sailing to move to another country. Certainly makes it a bit easier though!

Jennygentle · 29/12/2020 21:19

I would get an EU passport if I could but I wouldn’t move abroad.

CharlotteRose90 · 29/12/2020 21:20

Yes to this. My mum just needs to apply for her citizenship back and then I can apply for my passport. I’m entitled to an Irish one and an Eastern European one. I will be moving in about 10 years plus it will make travel so much easier with it.

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