I do not know how people have a problem with the requirement to "guarantee VMC" at the destination.
Brendon
I flew to France IFR in a twin. Beautiful weather and landed at Pontoise.
My owner businessman went off for a meeting then rang to say he had to fly to Le Havre.
The forecast was good with a front expected moving in from the southwest but later in the early evening.
Pontoise was bathed in glorious sunshine, deep blue sky and endless vis.
I filed VFR for the short hop over to Le havre.
All went well until halfway there when the vis dropped, upper cloud obscured the blue sky and bits of scud floated past beneith.
That soon changed to flying on top of solid with an actual at le Havre of overcast 400 vis 2 k in drizzle.
I requested a change to IFR and landed off an ILS approach.
It does happen take my word for it!
We should push for a European full PPL /IR.
We should push for a far more esely achievable ground exams designed for a PPL /IR and we should push for allowances towards the flight section with even the option to fly a pre flight test exam and if passed a Full IFR flight test.
Pace