Under EU legislation, you may complete your theoretical knowledge examinations and your flight training/test in any EASA member state, and apply to the National Aviation Authority where your medical records are held for the appropriate licence. There are also ATOs outside EASA member states who hold EASA ATO approvals - in the U.S., for example. See CAA document
CAP 804 Section 3, Part A, page 1 for information about State of Licence Issue for New Applicants.
Yes, one can do apply this way. But not in Italy. Here PPL exams are held in CAA exam centers. In UK, under UK CAA Standards Document 11, capable ATOs can do it in-house. And this creates the conflicts between Italy and UK CAAs.
Italian CAA doesn't believe integrity of UK ATOs GS completion certficiate and exam result documents because they are not approved by any CAA. But according to UK legislation, ATO doesn't need any approval for the certificates that they release.
We've asked for a some sort of UK CAA approval. Answer was no from CAA side. They held their position that this particular ATO is very capable of releasing these documents. Italian CAA replied, we can't accept your skill test application unless UK CAA approval. UK CAA told, no we won't approve, because we/you don't need one.
Then we passed to phase two, the legislation. I've explained how UK CAA can authorise its ATOs and how they perform in-house exams, both using with EU and EASA legislation. Italian CAA answered, it's OK' you are 100% right. But we are responsible for our and EU legislation, not UK legislation. UK CAA can rule their own rule, but they also should confirm that this particular school `can` perform in-house exams, because ATO authorisation certificate doesn't show any statement that says they can do so. And I replied, you are correct, but that certificate doesn't have to show, because there's bunch of legislation says it doesn't need to show. They only need to sponsor an UK CAA certified examiner and one custodian of exam papers.
Afterall, Italian CAA sends one email to UK CAA, for confirmation of the legislation if applies to this ATO. Waits for a week. UK CAA answers, may or may not. It depends. If you like. If we like. etc etc...
Italian CAA doesn't likes that answer. Sends another email. Waits for another couple of weeks. Goes on, goes on.
Every single comunication of abovemention lines, takes weeks. One answer from one side depends on how many phone calls you've made before the answer. I'm tired of all this. It'll be two years since I've started my PPL training.
Having completed the minimum 45 hours of flight training required by FCL.210.A does not show that you have reached the required standard. In order to attempt a PPL Skill Test, you must hold a course completion certificate and be recommended for test by an ATO. If your medical records are held by the UK CAA, your Flight Examiner must follow the designation procedures described in CAA Information Notice 2016-004. Other EASA states have similar designation procedures.
Yes I do have that worthless course completion certificate too. Also the solo release certificates, language test results and whatever else I need to apply to skill test.