is there actually a reason why you can't get a license issued if your ratings are not current ... surely you just can't use the license without a current rating.
is it a pointless inconvenience or is there actually a reason?
simple question, have a look into JAR-FCL 2
JAR-FCL 2.025
Validity of the licence and revalidation of a rating
(1)
The validity of the licence is determined by the validity of the ratings contained therein and the medical certificate
Means, a licence without ratings is no valid licence and of course a non valid licence means no change into EASA papers. I wonder , why some guys reporting here, they have renewed their licence without ratings? This could only be some kind of old national speciality under JAR or a half JAR or...
I pray under EASA we all will live finally under the same sky and noname CAAs have to stop issues of wondrously and unfair licences.