My husband and I will be traveling through France, Spain, Portugal and Italy next spring. I am familiar with the 90 day Schengen Visa rules except as they apply to travel time. If we are at 92 or 93 days including days spent flying to and from Europe, is that something I need to be concerned about? Does anyone know what the consequences are if you are over the "time limit?"
Thanks for any and all help.
[Ed comment: This has been previously discussed. See "Under the Radar" responses at http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/11809/under-the-raidar.html. And then get Visas or shorten your trip.]
Sorry, didn't mean to insinuate that I didn't want to abide by the rules. I was mostly wondering if days spent traveling are included in the 90 day limit or not. This is not addressed in the post that I was directed to. I don't need/ want advice on how to overstay, but advice relating to if it is 90 days in Europe or 90 days including time on airplanes.
Thanks again.
I would think since you will arrive in Europe the day after you leave, that means you won't be checked in to Europe until the next day. They stamp your passport. Your time could not start until you get there. As for do you have to be flying out on the 90th day or not, I don't know. I would think so.
When I was in Colombia they only gave me 30 days to stay in the country and then I had to go to DAS, I don't know what it traslates to, and apply for an extention. It cost me about 60 bucks. I would think they have something like that there.
You do not enter a country until you clear immigration in that country. That's when your visa starts.
The penalty, in some cases, of overstaying your visa, is expulsion from the country and possibly not allowing you to enter again. And considering Schengen, that could mean not going to Europe again.
Stick to 90 days. And go back another time.
I entered through Paris and was there for 30hrs before I went on to Rome and in Paris they didn't stamp my passport. They stamped it when I got to Rome. Does that mean my VISA didn't start until I got to Rome?
I was only in Europe about 4 weeks but I was just wondering about the stamp. I didn't mean to thread jack. :-)
I think its a serious enough issue that you should avoid the chance of a problem - just leave a few days earlier - make it 88 days (incase of a flight delay!). Seriously - Why risk it - i just dont understand why people want to push the envelope on something like this. It could be nothing - or it could be a problem. Gamble away if you like but it seems a bit irresponsible and not "smart travel" planning to and knowingly put yourself and others into a situation like that. Im sure you will have a great time 2 days fewer - and enjoy more knowing you wont have to stress about it (IMO... hope its not too harsh but do seriously consider a slightly shorter trip... or just do the paperwork for the visa if you MUST stay 92 days!)
Thanks so much for all the great advice. I think we will definitely either make the trip under 90 days or apply for visa. Thanks again everyone.
