European Travel

Depends on where you go. The Schengen zone, which includes most of western outside of the UK and Ireland only allows Americans to stay for 90 days out of 180. As long as you get a special Schengen Visa, or plan to spend 60 of those days outside Schengen, you'll be alright.

Oh oh, Schengen again. I don't think the the "Schengen Visa", at the link provided above, helps the OP. The instructions at that link say: "A Schengen visa allows the holder to travel freely within the Schengen countries for a maximum stay of up to 90 days in a 6 month period." They can already do that, just on their passport.

Why will you be there for five months? Are you students? If so, you will get a student visa which will allow you to stay that long.

You need an extended tourist visa from one of the countries that you will be visit. Contact the country that you plan to spend the most time in. The process is complicated and takes a lot of time so get started now.

Sandy, It would be a really good idea to get the "legal" details for your trip sorted ASAP. You will NOT be allowed to stay for five months as a tourist, and could face severe fines and other penalties including deportation if you're caught overstaying the limit. As the others have mentioned, under the terms of the Schengen Accord, tourists from many countries are allowed to travel under a "blanket tourist Visa" which allows individuals to stay for 90-days in any 180-day period. Those travelling under Passports from some countries (China?) may require special Visa's. As I understand the rules, that means you can stay for 90-days and would then have to leave the Schengen zone for 90-days before you can return. Although the U.K. is part of the E.U., they are not included in the Schengen zone. Some countries in eastern Europe are also not included. As Frank mentioned, you can arrange an extended stay Visa in specific country(s) in the Schengen area, but you have to deal individually with that country, and "jump through whatever hoops" they require. Using Italy as an example, this process can take several months. The bureaucracy in Italy is somewhat onerous, so LOTS of paperwork is required and often many interviews at the Embassy. You'll have to prove "in writing" with Bank statements that you have adequate financial resources to support yourselves for the entire duration of the trip. If you're married, your Marriage Certificate will also be required. Your Passports will also need to be valid for six months after the end of your trip. Good luck!

Thanks so much for your reply's! It seems complicated. We are retired (57 and 62) and want to travel while we have the good health to do so. We were hoping to spend two months in France, one month in Italy and then go to Switzerland.

@Sandy - please read this thread:
http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/70518/schengen-visasshort-termlong-term.html All three countries are in Schengen. You will need a long stay visa and/or residency permit from one of them. Since you will stay longer, and arrive first, in France, you should apply to the French embassy.

One correction to what's been said: You must apply at the French Consulate, and not the Embassy. Which consulate you apply at depends on your US state of residency.