I can live and work somewhere within the European Union and then exercise my rights. But it is going to cost thousands of pounds (hotel fees, rent and paperwork). As I've said, I cannot go to Ireland due to my dual-nationality.Adam wrote: Yes I am sure. For example, a Portuguese national can bring his Chinese wife to the UK without any financial requirements. The law only applies to British nationals and their non-EU spouses. I've had this confirmed by an immigration lawyer.
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In simple terms, EEA citizens have stronger migration rights than UK citizens, since they can bring in family members from outside Europe in this way.
What a joke.[/quote]
This is ridiculous if it is indeed true, I still think there is something missing.
If it was as you describe and from the quote you brought from the BBC (which I went to read), you can just use your status as EU citizen, override your status as a UK citizen, and bring your non-EEA spouse.
SO I don't see why you would need to live elsewhere in the EU to do this, you are ALREADY an EU citizen without needing to live 3 months anywhere.
So either you just need to go back and specify that you are coming in as a EU citizen (not as an UK one)...
OR (more likely) there is something to the 3 months elsewhere that we are not getting from your description and from the articles, but *would also apply to any EU citizens* i.e. a Portuguese could only bring his Chinese wife to the UK if they had been working/living in Portugal or any other member state for 3 months as well.
The bottom line would be that the EEA members would still have the same exact rights as the UK citizens - just an easier time as exercising it.
Of course that is a bit like saying homosexuals have the same right as heterosexuals, as both can marry the opposite sex. Technically it is the same right, it is just that it is a bit less interesting/useful for the homosexuals!
Anyway back to the topic, I don't know what job you (and your wife) currently have, but I think you can easily do a seasonal job in Portugal or Spain for 3 months during harvest time, and get accommodation provided as part of the package. It is menial labour though and it will pay crap, but you will be able to go in to the UK after.
Check this kind of stuff:
http://www.wwoof.pt/
