Sobraon wrote:I believe DIRECTIVE 2004/38/EC applies here.
My understanding : basically Spouses and ‘family member’ of EU citizens get freedom of movement. So to my reading there are very significant additional rights for spouses and kids where one partner is an EU citizen.
Only if they are resident in an EU member state though. Then they get a residence card from that member state that lets them come and go more freely. For countries outside Schengen it may mean that you are entitled to a visa, but you still need to apply for one (my wife had to do this for UK, for instance).
If not EU resident then they only have whatever freedoms are normally given to their passport when entering or have some sort of permission obtained in advance.
Even the residence is not automatic, there is an interview process where you need to provide documentary evidence supporting your relationship. At least here in Germany, so I assume EU wide.
But once you have it, it lasts 5 years so in theory you could then wander off. Or you could stay 5 years and it becomes permanent residence.