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I'm a South African living in Britain with my husband who is Polish. My visa has expired already, and I have not applied for my residence card yet.
My husband has travelled to Poland to be with his family for Christmas. Would I be able to travel to Poland to meet him there without me having my residence card? I was told by a friend that I could travel if I have my marriage certificate on hand: is there any truth in that?
In short, no, but you should be able to get a Schengen visa without charge and quickly.
South Africans require a visa to enter the Schengen area. Visa nationals are exempted from this requirement if they have a residence card indicating that they are a family member of an EU/EEA national.
Family members without such a card still enjoy the right of freedom of movement under EU law, when traveling with or joining their EU/EEA family member, except that they still require a visa.
Since you don't yet have that card, you need a visa.
The visa is supposed to be issued free of charge, and through an expedited process. Your best course of action, therefore, is probably to apply for a visa at the Polish consulate.
