Determining Interrail residency…

[Cl378User]

Evening all,

In a couple weeks, I’m thinking of potentially doing an Interrail trip from Madrid to the UK and back, however the Interrail residency conditions are a little hard contradictory as to whether I should choose Spain or Great Britain as my country of residence. For context, I’m a student from the UK studying half my degree at a Spanish university (ie. not exchange) with a British passport and a Spanish residence permit and I’ve lived in Spain during term time since September. I should clarify that I don’t really mind choosing either country (as the benefits for choosing either are of similar value to me) but would rather not get grief from any ticket inspectors! Which one should I pick?

 

[drueberflug]

I’ve lived in Spain during term time since September.

I haven't looked closely at Interrail's T&C, but you might want to choose Spain as your country of residence.

 

[Gloster]

Thirty something years ago I lived in Sweden, with a British passport and Swedish residence permit. I had no difficulty in getting an Interrail pass issued by Swedish Railways and using it, including in England. As far as I can remember the crucial points were that I had a permanent address in Sweden and would return to the country while my residence permit still valid. But this was more than thirty years ago.

 

[Tetchytyke]

If you have a Spanish residence permit I'd say use that.

 

[ChilliSauce]

If you have a Spanish residence permit I'd say use that.

Well I know someone who currently works in France (and so is also living in France) both under this EU Free Movement.

But their Passport is actually for another EU country. ...So they use their Passport when applying for Interrail ...meaning therefore the Interrail pass becomes available to use wherever in France.

 

[Tetchytyke]

But their Passport is actually for another EU country. ...So they use their Passport when applying for Interrail ...meaning therefore the Interrail pass becomes available to use wherever in France.

It doesn’t. Eligibility for Interrail is based on your residency not on your nationality.

Whether your friend would get caught or not is a different argument.

 

[The exile]

If you a) have a Spanish residence permit and b) don’t want to use the Interrail in Spain except for inbound and outbound journeys, then I’d go for the Spanish version. That said, the only situation I can see either being an issue is if you were using a UK ticket in Spain and in some way came to the attention of “officialdom” who would know you were registered as resident in Spain.

 

[bkhtele]

Won't he a problem either way as long as used sensibly. (Normal usage) As above if anyone draws attention to themselves using it for commuting etc it could be a problem.

 

[MrJeeves]

As everyone else has said, use your residency permit and enter the ID number from that permit, assuming there is one.

You will need to present this permit to staff on trains and at stations along with your pass, and not your passport.

 

[Bletchleyite]

If you a) have a Spanish residence permit and b) don’t want to use the Interrail in Spain except for inbound and outbound journeys, then I’d go for the Spanish version. That said, the only situation I can see either being an issue is if you were using a UK ticket in Spain and in some way came to the attention of “officialdom” who would know you were registered as resident in Spain.

About 25 years ago I had a DB member of booking office staff state, backed up by a manager, that I couldn't have one with UK validity because I had a British passport, and I also couldn't have one with German validity because I had a German resident permit. This was probably wrong, but beware of staff taking that line, particularly as they may insist on the passport being shown (whether they should or not).

It may be better doing an entirely different set of countries instead.

 

[MrJeeves]

About 25 years ago I had a DB member of booking office staff state, backed up by a manager, that I couldn't have one with UK validity because I had a British passport, and I also couldn't have one with German validity because I had a German resident permit. This was probably wrong, but beware of staff taking that line, particularly as they may insist on the passport being shown (whether they should or not).

It may be better doing an entirely different set of countries instead.

I wouldn't want to discourage OP from buying an Interrail pass, and I think your experience was quite out of the ordinary (and, sorry, historical!).

These days, being able to buy the pass online alleviates all these issues, and staff will really just look for the name on the ID, the last 3 digits, and the country.

 

[Tetchytyke]

About 25 years ago I had a DB member of booking office staff state, backed up by a manager, that I couldn't have one with UK validity because I had a British passport, and I also couldn't have one with German validity because I had a German resident permit. This was probably wrong, but beware of staff taking that line

It is wrong and, thankfully, online purchasing and the Interrail Global pass has done away with most of that stupidity.

Eligibility for Interrail (and EURail for non-European residents) is based on residence and not on nationality. It is the same for Britrail too.

I assume the OP is intending to buy an Interrail Global pass. If they're only using it in Spain to get to/from the international border, then I'd suggest that the OP uses their Spanish residency permit. Should give them the fewest questions.