The Schengen area in Europe does not typically require a passport or ID for crossing its internal borders. However, some countries may require a visa or permit for work or stay for more than 90 days. EU nationals can travel to any EU country with a valid passport or ID card, while non-EU family members may need an entry visa.
The EU visa policy applies to all 27 countries in the Schengen area, and non-EU nationals do not need a Schengen visa. However, those from Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong do not need a Schengen visa.
For non-EU nationals, a valid passport and possibly a visa are required to cross the borders of European countries using the EES. An immigration official will determine if you qualify for visa-free entry to the Schengen area when you first cross any external Schengen border.
European Union citizens and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) nationals are not only visa-exempt but legally entitled to enter and reside in each country. US passport holders do not need a visa to travel to European countries part of the Schengen area. Starting in 2025, US passport holders traveling to Europe will need to apply for authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System.
U.S. citizens must travel with a valid U.S. passport to and from the U.S., even if they also hold another country’s passport. Travelers from countries that currently enjoy visa-free travel to the European Union will need an ETIAS authorization for travel beginning after the program. To travel without a visa on the VWP, valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval is required before boarding a U.S. bound air ticket.
📹 SCHENGEN Rules | How to Stay in Europe Longer than 90 Days (Avoid the 90/180 Schengen Rule)
SCHENGEN Rules | How to Stay in Europe Longer than 90 Days (Avoid the 90/180 Schengen Rule)! We have traveled Europe for …
Where can EU citizens travel without a visa?
As an EU national, you can travel freely in the 27 EU member countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, as well as non-EU countries, with either a valid passport or national identity card. Your travel document must be valid on the day of travel. Children and minors must have their own passport or ID card. If traveling with non-EU family members, specific rules apply.
You don’t usually need to show your passport or ID when crossing the internal borders of the Schengen area. However, Schengen area countries can reintroduce temporary border controls in extraordinary circumstances, such as public policy threats or national security. When a Schengen country applies temporary border controls, you must show a valid passport or ID card. Additionally, you must show a valid passport or ID card when traveling between a Schengen country and Cyprus or Ireland.
Which countries can go to the USA without a visa?
The list comprises individuals from a multitude of countries, including the United Kingdom, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and Poland.
Which country passport can enter U.S. without visa?
The Visa Waiver Program (VVP) is a US federal government program that permits certain countries’ nationals to travel to the US for up to 90 days without a visa. Eligible countries include the European Union member states, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. The VWP applies to all fifty US states, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. All selected countries are considered developed with high-income economies and a high Human Development Index.
Is my EU passport still valid for USA?
The passport is a valid travel document for entry into the United States.
Which countries can travel to the USA without a visa?
The list comprises individuals from a multitude of countries, including the United Kingdom, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and Poland.
How long can I stay in the US with a European passport?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval and meet all requirements. If travelers prefer to have a visa in their passport, they may still apply for a visitor (B) visa.
However, under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, travelers in certain categories must obtain a visa before traveling to the United States, including those from VWP countries who traveled to or been present in countries like Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011, Cuba on or after January 12, 2021, and those who are also nationals of VWP countries.
Do you need a visa for each European country?
The Schengen Agreement, a treaty between 26 European countries, allows visa-free travel between them. Passport holders from over 150 countries must obtain a Schengen Visa before arriving in their European destination. However, some nationals do not require a visa, just a valid passport with at least six months and an ETIAS travel authorization. These nationals can move between Schengen Agreement countries for up to 90 days within a six-month period. Countries that do not require visas include Italy, France, Germany, and Spain.
Do EU passports need visas for the USA?
In accordance with the provisions of the Visa Waiver Program, citizens of the European Union are permitted to remain in the United States for a period of up to 90 days without the necessity of obtaining a visa. The program permits visits to various locations in the West Indies.
How long can you stay in a European country without a visa?
The Schengen area in Europe allows up to 90 days of stay for tourism or business with a valid U. S. passport. However, a passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of entry, including most EU countries, except for Cyprus and Ireland. If transiting through Canada or the UK, a passport must be valid for at least six months. If your passport expires within six months, airlines may not allow you to board your flight to Europe.
The Schengen Borders Agreement allows for free movement within several countries without border checks, including most EU countries, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. This applies to tourists, exchange students, and business travelers from certain countries, such as the U. S.
Who can enter the US without a visa?
The Visa Waiver Program currently includes 41 countries: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, and the Czech Republic. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an automated system for screening passengers before they travel to the United States. Eligible citizens or nationals from all Visa Waiver Program countries must obtain approval through ESTA before traveling to the United States. Travelers are encouraged to apply for authorization as soon as they plan a trip to the United States. For more information, visit the ESTA webpage or the CBP’s FAQ page.
What is the strongest passport in the world?
Singapore has risen to the top of the 2024 Henley Passport Index, granting its citizens visa-free access to 195 countries, a significant shift from last year when Japan held the top position. Japan now ranks second with 192 countries, while South Korea ranks third with 191 countries without a visa. This reshuffling reflects the continued dominance of Asian countries in the Henley Passport Index, which measures the strength of passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa. The US, which ranks eighth with 186 countries, has seen its global mobility weaken, falling behind Canada, the UK, and several European nations.
📹 Do you Really Need to Get an EU Passport?
For some reason, Americans, Australians and others who want to renounce their citizenship believe they should replace it with a …
Exactly My husband and I were in Germany job hunting when the pandemic hit. We didnt want to leave Europe so we accidentally turned into digital nomads and have spent time in Albania, Croatia and now Romania (how we found your articles) between W. European countries. Back and forth,90,90,90. Hoping in 2023 we find a way to settle in one of these places The digital nomad visas have a rsther high income level but we’re trying. Thanks for your articles, they are delightful and informative
We’ve been going in and out of the Schengen for 1 year while waiting for a citizenship by descent appointment in Italy. We both retired from US in January 2022, sold everything and bought a sight unseen apartment in Italy. We have a small dog with us, which makes travel more complicated. We can travel to the Balkans but not to the British isles with the dog, at least not by plane. In 2022: we arrived in Italy and saw our purchased apartment for the first time, we travelled to Croatia and Montenegro from February to April for 90 days, back to Italy for 2 months, then to Cyprus for 3 months. Our citizenship appointment changed, so we couldn’t return to Italy until End of January. We went to Croatia from November 1 until December 15, but had to leave because Croatia enters the Schengen on January 1, 2023. Now we are in Sarajevo, Bosnia and will re-enter Italy with 90 days on our visas (because Italian bureaucracy requires 90 days for citizenship processing). We are excited to start short trips to Schengen Locations!
“Fun fact for Americans, France has a separate treaty with America so “technically” you can stay in France for 90 more days after your initial 90 days in the schengen area, but this is a gray area that I personally did not want to test. This applies for Germany too. German Immigration and customs informed me that I just need to leave the schengen area for 1 day (after my inital 90 days) and I can come back for 90 more days in Germany. Again, this is for American citizens and their separate treaties with France and Germany.” Just don’t forget your day crossing the Schengen/Non-Schengen border into whichever EU country you decide, that day counts as both your last day in AND your first day out,
I just found your You Tube website and this fabulous episode a year later. I’m so glad I did! My family and I are planning to go to Europe with the intention of possibly living there. My husband is American, while I have dual citizenship ( US & Germany ). It has been years since I have been in Europe- long before the SCHENGEN came into being. The information that you have provided here has been invaluable, so I thank you!
This has been posted before, but seems like a good time to repost that US citizens can reside in Albania for up to a year and reenter after 90 days. Here is what is posted on the US Embassy’s webpage: “U.S. citizens may stay in the Republic of Albania for up to one year without a residence permit. When you enter the country, a border and migration officer stamps your passport with the entry date. (Lately, it has come to our attention that they do not stamp passports because the record is entered electronically in their systems. If this is the case, we suggest you save your boarding pass or ticket as evidence of your entry to Albania for later use.)” “To “restart the clock” on the one-year time limit, you must depart Albania and remain out of the country for at least 90 days in order to re-enter without a residency permit. Shorter trips outside of Albania during your stay do not lengthen or re-set the one-year limit.”
Thanks so much for this article. We’re planning a two part trip to Europe in 3 years. The first with a base in Ireland for a year (with jumps to different spots via cheap flights) and then last 6 months traveling through Southern Europe. We never learned about this rule until perusal your articles. This rule impacts our plans for the last 6 months. Time to replan! Balkans, here we come.
Just a tip for anyone who is a new zealand or australian citizen. Some countries have visa waiver agreements so that you can spend 90 days in a 180 day period regardless of time spent in other schengen countries. These countries (for australian citizens) include austria, belgium, denmark, finland, france, germany, iceland, italy, luxembourg, netherlands, spain, norway and sweden. For nz citizens it is the same along with czech republic, greece, portugal and switzerland aswell.
I think a lot of people don’t realize this but the 90-day visa free Schengen visa (for Europe) or the 90-day Visa Waiver Program/ESTA for the USA is not the only way to enter the US/EU. They are just the most convenient for most tourists because they are “visa free” and don’t require any pre-clearance from immigration of the country you are entering. However that convenience comes with a price…a 90 day limit. But if you are willing to actually apply for a visa, you can stay up to 1 year in most countries in the EU/US as a tourist or “long term visitor”. These are not working visas, you must only be there for tourism or private stays, but so is the 90 day Schengen visa too. As an example, you can apply for a long stay visitor visa in France called a VLS-TS and it lasts for up to one year (you apply for the length you want) and it allows free movement in the Schengen. Likewise, in the US you can apply for a B-1/B-2 visa and it will be issued for 6 months and it can be extended for an additional 6 months before exporation.
That was informative even for me (and I’m living in Romania), thank you. That is not ignorance from my side, it is just that I am more of a “home” type person and if I’m thinking about travel I have a huge tendency towards the east – I love winter and snow (luckily, this summer was not so hot as in previous years, so I don’t suffer that much from the heat) … as a matter of fact, the most wonderful time of all my life were 30 days spent in Russia, at the edge of Siberia – I very much miss Russia, there I felt much more at home than here where I live, I felt much more free than anywhere in the world. In a huge contrast, when I visited Germany, I could hardly wait for those 10 days to pass so I can come back home. I love your articles. Take care, stay safe and have a wonderful time.
You can also just apply for a Golden Visa or Nomad Visa and be able to travel, work and live in any Schengen Zone. Then you don’t have to leave the SZ. Just simply return to the country you have the visa in for at least 90 days every 180 days and travel back to the USA (or wherever your passport is from) for 1 week and for the other 178 days travel through the rest of the SZ.
Just a note, the UK, at least at the moment, does not require an ETIAS type form. I was just there during April and May – no type of documents required beyond passport. During COVID, like many countries it had an online passenger locator type form which had that information, but it went away this spring. I even had to complete that form during a transit stop at LHR in July 2021 (Milan to LAX). It wouldn’t surprise me if the UK adopts some sort of new ETIAS form though, it’s really not a big hassle, and as you say, it’s an effort to make travel safer.
As a UK citizen, I have a French Visa de long séjour temporaire, which lets me spend six months in France. I then have Schengen on top of it – meaning I can spend all year in the EU. Over two years I just need to return to the UK for three months. For tax reasons I don’t stay in France for more than six months per year.
Nice website! Subscribed! I don’t understand why these countries in the EU but outside of Schengen are so eager to join. Their uniqueness and the ability for travelers to use them as a way to get out of Schengen is a big part of their appeal especially for tourism. However, I guess many countries do see the value in longer term travelers, especially with the whole remote/digital nomad movement, that they’re now coming out with these digital nomad visas more and more. Well, I guess I just answered my own question))))Thanks, looking forward to more of your articles as well as binge perusal many of your previous ones)))
Oh, I am facing the same when travelling…. with a US passport and a Luxembourg permanent residency… still, have to play around. As I understood, the 90 day limit applies to a country in the Schengen zone, meaning I can travel around, staying max 90 days in each country. This is what I have been doing right now… no problems because there is no stamp in my US passport reg. arriving to Europe. Besides, I am travelling with a Luxembourg car plate/registration, and so far nobody questioned me at the borders when crossing Schengen zones…
There are countries in Schengen in which Americans can get around this rule due to special agreements with the US, usually dating from post-WWII. Example, you could spend 90 days in Germany and technically would have to leave. You could then go to the NL (I think is one of the countries) spend 90 days ‘outside’ then go back to Germany if you wish. You can spend a year or more doing this.
OK, I just shared this to a 90/180 group for brits in Spain trying to organise a longer term for second home owners now affected by brexit. There was actually a laughing response from the admin who said you hadn’t done your homework ad for Americans who go to Spain for 90days you can go to France for a further 90days immediately under a bi-lateral arrangement the USA has with France. Apparently there are other countries in Schengen that have these arrangements but you may have to dig a bit. So, start digging and lucky you if this is indeed the case (the purpose of the group is to try and get the same arrange)
It makes me laugh because last Saturday I saw all the travel tips and q&a trying to find an explanation why Romania was on your list and not on other travelers’…and as you already mentioned there the 90 days rule and knowing that we are not in schengen I got my explanation.. should I have waited a week you would have posted the explanation.. but it helped me get a better idea of who you are and what are you planning to do with your near future… I once again thank you for recommending Romania as a destination because it’s important for us to change the outside image of third world country..
Thanks for all your interesting articles. Have you looked at the Poland SCHENGEN policy for US citizens? I understand that a US citizen can stay in Poland for up to 3 months (90 days), leave for 24 hours then return to Poland with the time spent in Poland (3 months in this case) not counting towards your 90 days out of 180 day stay rule in the SCHENGEN area countries, effectively allowing you to stay in the SCHENGEN area fulltime. This may be helpful for full-time travelers wanting to stay in the SCHENGEN area over their 90-day limit.
We also travel constantly but we do it by Cruise Ship, we just got back from Europe as we did 4 Transatlantic cruises with in 102 days and in between spent time in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Poland. I became aware of the Schengen rule before we left in March on the first TA cruise (12 days) from Miami to Barcelona, then we did 9 days in Spain, 4 days in Portugal and back on a Cruise to Florida (19 days), then 3 days in Miami, then back again on a Cruise to Italy (16 days), then10 days in Italy and 10 in Poland, flew back to Spain for 4 Days and Finally last Cruise from Barcelona to NYC (16 days), so it was a total of only 33 days on ground, we are planning on leaving in September for at least 6 months also by land and sea and need to figure this one more carefully.
If you want to stay in Europe past the 90 days, is it always necessary to apply for a visa to visit a country outside the Schengen Zone or can you just show up at a border (Croatia, for example) and tell them you’re visiting? And if a visa is required, how far in advance would you suggest that someone apply for a visa to a country outside the Schengen Zone? It seems you’ve been able to manage while travelling in Europe, but just curious as to how much advance planning is necessary.
Hey! Thanks for sharing that valuable information! I entered Croatia in October and stayed there for a week, I wonder if that affects the 90 days rule since I’ve been in Switzerland and I’m staying here until early January, by the time I leave the Schengen area it’s gonna be 87 days. Thank you in advance!
New Zealanders have bilateral agreements with many countries in the Schengan which allows them to be in several countries, each of them for up to 3 months over and above the 90 days in the Schengan. So we could be in Spain for up to 3 months, then up to 3 months in France, then up to 3 months in Germany etc… just one more reason to love being a Kiwi ❤️
Love the article and all of the good information that you guys provided and Im also jealous lol…. Im retiring in 6 years,but def plan to follow in your footsteps.I have a question and Im sure its been asked before,but Im just trying to wrap my head around the concept of the Schengen rules.So lets say I fly from the US to France and live there for 90 days.I must leave and I cant come back in 180 days ? I was thinking that I could simply fly into France,stay 90 days,and then go England for say 4 months and then reenter the Schengen at the end of those 4 months.Am I on track or no ?? Also,if I was to live in France for 3 months and say I decided to fly to Japan,Indonesia,and maybe Thailand for say 6 months,can I then enter the Schengen at that time coming from a non European country ? Thanks ahead of time for your help
Hi Carrie & Brian 👋 👋 I hope you’re both well & having a lovely day. Thank You so much for your very informative vlog. It was very interesting & a great help to us travellers. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but as you’re both from outside the Schengen zone (me too. I’m from the UK), were you asked lots of questions regarding your stay when you reached the Schengen border ? I mean, were you asked EXACTLY where you were going (all of the countries you were going to) & the exact place of your stays, for the full length of your trip in the Schengen Zone ? I’m such a worrier & not much of a longish term planner & so making intricate detailed plans for upto 90 day’s, has scared me. Thank You for any help. Keep safe guy’s & Thanks loads for sharing your wonderful adventure with us all 👍 xxx
If you have called it quits to work or retired and want to travel around Europe, using the 90/180 day rule you explained is the most economical and easy way (dont have to travel back and forth to US after every 90 day stay). This been on our mind as an alternative to a possible Portugal D7 visa. The benefit of 90/180 rule and shuttling between Schengen and non Schengen is that you dont stay in a specific Schengen country long enough to be a tax paying entity of that country and avoids the complications of filing Taxes there too on top of our dear Uncle Sam. Personally i would prefer to buy a small condo in a country may be Portugal / Spain to call it a home base and spend bulk of the less than 180 days there and travel around. This way you are free of 2nd country tax filing and yet have your own place in Europe to call your home when you need a break. Europe is getting tighter and who knows this new ETISA may be an indirect way to track the stay habits of 90/180 rule users and tighten the rules and may be even make you a Tax paying entity of some sort in Schengen zone. So far as you explained this is the best way to stay outside US enjoy the low cost of living and yet have a great time traveling Europe. Cheers!
Thank you so much for sharing. So would you know for example as a Canadian Citizen, what can I do to be able to spend more than 90 days in Spain? My fiance is a legal resident and worker in Spain because he was one of the first waves of Ukrainian refugees so he doesn’t have a Spanish citizenship. I wanted more than 90 days because I want us to get married, we were supposed to get married in Ukraine but the war broke the same week I was supposed to travel.
Hi, First time perusal your article, nice article and just to share some info idk possible I am wrong but I would also check this out. I think you also have some other options in EU instead of going that far, ” U.S. citizens can enter Denmark for up to 90 days out of any 180 day period, regardless of time spent in other Schengen countries prior to entry into Denmark. ” (I think there are few other countries allows this Italy, France, Latvia, Norway, Poland. )
Hi Brian and Carrie. I have two question about this information: 1. I entered Schengen in first days of September. My first question is this: Not matter how I spent my 90 days within the 180 from September to March, my time will be reset once I get passed the 180 days (first days of March) and will a new period of 90 within 180, right? 2. That gets me to my second question: If my time resets after passing those 180 days. Let´s say I entered on january and spent only 10 days then i get out of Schengen. If I want to use those remaining 80, can I use them on a row like 80 days before july´s deadline of 180 plus the new 90 days. Can I use this method to be nearly 170 days in Schengen (80 old + 90 new)? I just want to be sure I understand the rule. Please don´t just send the link back to me 😁 Thank you for your time!
I have not been able to travel internationally yet, as an adult, but hope to some day soon. One of my concerns is safety. What are your contingency plans for having to rapidly leave a country or region in the event of civil unrest or general hostilities toward foreigners, especially for Americans? When I was a child, we had to flee the Middle East and I still remember the trauma of that, although I don’t know what was involved in getting out. If you’ve been in a Schengen area up to your max allowance and cannot re-enter, but there are no safe areas nearby to enter and you cannot find an immediate flight home, what can/should you do?
Hello Brian and Carrie, i will say i am so lucky to come across your article which is a recent update for how to go around in Europe as an American tourist. This is my first time and i want to know how will be the best way to go through borders there Train or buses? Any documents needed specifically? I will be glad to have any kind of tips. I am in the decision making process. Thank you guys
Thanks so much for your article, this has cleared up a lot of questions I had! My partner and I are thinking on going to Europe for a couple of years, starting next year and we are thinking on using the 90/180 rule, which is great for visiting those countries that you would probably never visit, like Romania! We are both working for New Zealand companies and plan to continue doing it remotely, to support our travel plans. I assume this won’t be a problem as we are not taking a job in Europe, do you have any feedback/experience on this? Thanks!
First time into your beautiful website, instantly liked and subscribed. We do have US passport and have some dream plans of visiting different destinations in Europe to start with extended stay like you folks staying about a month or two. My question if you could share or point me to some articles if you already covered as where to stay if you plan on for a month or longer. How do you search and plan your location in different cities ? Do you take temporary rentals or Airbnb ? Any tips or guidance based on your experience will help us plan our trips. Thank you and cheers 👍
Just heard that the May 2023 start of needing an ETIAS waiver has been postponed to November 2023. Here is my question-what if a US citizen is already in Europe at the time the waiver requirement goes into effect? Then what? The waiver application is needed to enter Europe, but what if someone is already there in October 2023, with the intention to stay for 90 days….???
This is not a trick question, but is the 90/180 day rule for a person or for each citizenship? Let me clarify: I have US citizenship and UK citizenship, both passports. My thinking is that I could stay 90 days as a US citizen and then 90 days as a UK citizen. Negating the requirement to leave the Schengen.
Okay so piece of advice as you’re clearly not immigration lawyers. The main thing they’re looking for at a POE is that you have non-immigrant intent, i.e. you’re a legitimate visitor. If you lack non-immigrant intent they won’t let you in for one day, let alone 90. If you’re flagpoling frequently after 180 days that is a red flag. As Americans, you’re not likely to run into a problem because you have money and it’s a wealthy country, but people who are younger and from other countries definitely would. ETIAS is a way of linking together entry records, so they will be able to keep better track of entries and thus you’re more likely to run into this problem. Different countries in the Schengen Area have different degrees of enforcement, but imx the ones that are the toughest are Denmark, Hungary and Switzerland. One situation I see come up a lot when people are questioned is that they went “home” for Christmas or to a wedding etc., which a huge red flag because you’re basically admitting that you don’t live there. My advice is to carry documentation with you that clearly establishes that you live in your home country. Tax records, bank statement, sources of income, title deed to your home, etc. The law in pretty much every country requires you to have a home in another country that you have no intention of abandoning in order to enter as a visitor.
note next year ! Travellers from 63 world countries, who are eligible to enter the Schengen Area visa-free, will have to apply for a travel authorization before their trip to any of the 26 Member Countries by May 2023, when the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is set to become fully effective.
Great article Brian & Carrie👍 Please I have a question. I am from South America and I have applied for a shenghen visa because is the easiest way to travel to Europe, but I am planning to stay longer than 90 days because I have finally got a temporary residence card for 2 years which is why I go so I can pick it up. What happens with this visa Schengen in my case. Can I have any problems to travel in the future?
Not sure if you would know but maybe someone else that is perusal your articles has the answer. I have dual citizenship USA and EU so I am exampt from the 90 day rule but my wife only has USA passport. If we would like to spend 6 months in Spain when we retire can she stay with me because she is married to a EU citizen? Plus one more question. I am not from Spain but in schengen zone, would i need to register in Spain as a resident? Thanks. Cheers
Great info thank you, in Greece I had to ask for an extension beyond the 90 days, however I had to provide with proof of funds, medical insurance etc. obtaining a medical insurance might be a problem if you are changing countries every 90 days, I understand Medicare covers you only in the US. and not in Europe.
Hey! I had a quick question. Am I allowed to spend my 90th day, on the 180th day in the Schengen Zone? So for example if I entered on the 1st of January and stayed for 60 days then left for 90 days and re-entered for the final 30 days to June 30th, am I then able to stay in the zone because on July 1st my 180 days restarts? so I essentially don’t leave the Schengen zone on the 90th day (June 30th) because the new 180 day period re-starts the next day on July 1st. Sorry if that was a bit confusing! Thanks!
Do you know if this is a feasible long-term solution? As in me, an American citizen, staying in Schengen countries for 90 days, then moving to another European country for 90 days, then returning to the Schengen? (Without returning to USA, only back and forth between Schengen and non-Schengen, though still in Europe). I have had trouble finding a visa as of yet to move long-term to Europe, but I have the funds to travel and would be open to doing the 90/180 rule for several years bouncing in and out of Schengen whilst remaining in Europe. Does that second option fit the legal system without breaking Schengen rules?
Hi, I am from the UK. What if I’m travelling travelling back to Norway having used 88 of my 90 days travel days, and stay over the 90 limit due to visiting dying family member in Norway? As long as I inform the passport control upon arrival of my intentions would they allow me to stay for 2 weeks over the 90 days if I already have a return date booked. What are the consequences if I do that even though I’ve informed them
so guys I know you have beat this horse to death, but when I go to my flat in Spain I usually give myself a buffer of 85 days to make sure I can leave before 90… by doing this there is an offset of when I can return to the Schengen Area. This means, I think, that I need to be out more then 90 days for a reset. That being said, can I spend more then 90 days in the Non-Schengen area if I move from country to country? Or go to a place like Albania that allows more then 90 days?
i got covid last year year while in france and my flight got cancelled. i over stayed my tourist visa some days and got an entry ban for schegen zone. i wanted to know if i could still visit non schegen european countries like romania, serbia, croatia, albania, montenegro? thank you! im an american citizen. thank you!
I’m quite confused. Once I reach my 90 day limit in Schengen, can I go to somewhere like Serbia, where it isn’t listed on Schengen I believe so it wouldn’t add to my 90 days I think altho it is in europe. And do I need this ‘Schengen Visa’ for that? I’m from the uk so I don’t think I need that visa from my research?
Hello mam sir, i need help in my next visa application. Because my last visit we did a mistake my boyfriend book the ticket and we over forseen the duration of my stay. My visa validity is 1 month but my duration is 15 days but my boyfriend though that the day i leave which is the 16th day was not counted on the duration. Then i found out i was over stay. 😔 i need help on how can i explain it in a nice way to the IO the next time i will apply for visit visa again? It was an unintentionally and honest mistake 😔
Well, you’re not really avoiding Schengen Agreement rules, you’re legally working around them. Personally, I think the 90/180 rule for Americans, Canadians, Japanese and Australians (and perhaps a few other countries) is rather stupid. They should just make it 180 days from legal entry, and then let these travelers break it up any way they want over the year. I suppose they’re trying to prevent people from illegally acquiring seasonal employment, but I doubt that would really be much of an issue.
With the weak EU economies and the wealth of the U.S. traveler, this 90/180 day Schengen Zone policy should be reconsidered by the EU. There are already talks of Digital Nomad visas coming. Also, with the money we give to support Europe with money and troops for NATO, money to Ukraine, etc. U.S. and Canada residents should be given more open access. This would do more for economic stimulus than any economic panacea they could dream up. Plus the USD is so strong. Give it a couple more years of their weak economies and inflation and it will look obvious to do this. Once they lose Chinese travelers-who were big spenders- for a longer time-they will be open to modifying these policies.
I guess that if Carrie and Brian do exceed 90 days (which is quite possible in a car touring the Schengen zone) they are not going to admit it. They accidentally implied that Britain is in the EU but not Schengen, but of course, Britain did leave the EU, and the way it now behaves, I don’t consider it to be a part of Europe at all. PS I understand that even EU citizens are typically unable to stay indefinitely in other EU countries unless they become residents.
In your article, you have defo’ given the impression in my view that you as a US passport holder had to leave Spain at 90 days and that as ‘you had used up your 90 days’, ‘you were looking for somewhere in Europe non-Schengen’ ‘before you go back in’. Admittedly with your circumstances at that time it may have been difficult to apply for an extension because of Covid. But, there are many Bi-Lateral Visa Waiver Agreements between Schengen and third countries across the world which do not limit third country travellers to 90 days. USA, for example, has agreements with 10 Schengen countries to extend beyond 90 days. I think you could have made that point in your article. Here are 2 official links: List of Member States’ bilateral visa waiver agreements with third countries allowing for an extension of the period of stay in accordance with Article 20, point (b), of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement – Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu) EU-Third Countries Bilateral Visa Waiver Agreements Explained (etiasvisa.com) N.B There is a US/Spain example in this link. So Carrie and Brian, on your travels, I plead that you support the argument that many UK citizens would welcome a similar agreement despite that our current government has no intentions of pursuing one. And that it is a fact that citizens of EU, US and many other world country’s citizens are still allowed to visit the UK as a tourist for up to 6 months without a visa. All we ask is for that to be reciprocated.
Great article I agree with the notion that, EU is filled with bureaucracy and higher taxes. However in my case I think that for me getting a Spanish passport won’t be too difficult cause of my grandparent plus I know the language. It’s a decision I would like to make then from renounce my US citizenship. I’m also a citizen of Mexico.
Andrew this is s good article, I would lile to just point out one thing. When you mentioned your friend geeting a EU passport. The thing is you do not need to go dull EU citizeship for living, working, travel in EU. The EU residence permit alow you to do the same, there are many EU people who use their residence card to travel including flights and border control, work, study as well as claim social benefits based on residemcy permits. Hence the IT passport has its advantages outside of EU though.
There is no such thing as a EU passport. Only a passport of a Sovereign State that just so happens to be in the EU. If that sovereign states leaves the EU, you leave as well. The EU is not the United States of Europe! Some EU countries are not even in the schengen zone nor do they use the Euro nor are they in Nato and they all speak different languages and have different requisites in becoming a citizen, so it all depends in what European country you so wish to join. There is no EU passport and the European Union is not a federation nor a state. Damn Americans when will you learn.
If one has a direct claim to it through lineage then go for it but if one has to go through all the hoops like residence to get it then a step back is needed . As a Brit after brexit there is always the Irish back door for us which requires a five year residence to gain citizenship but nothing stays the same forever and the UK may regain it’s FoM rights one way or another which could negate the effort. Point is a step back and survey the situation is needed before one takes the plunge.