Next year, my (will be) 17 year old daughter is going on an exchange program in Germany. She was interested in doing the 2 week travel Europe tour, but we weren't sure if that was allowed, nor where we could find that information. Would she need to be accompanied even if I give my permission?
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
If by "the 2 week travel Europe tour" you mean a Rick Steves tour, you can ask the tour office directly. Here's the page with their contact information (click on "Guided Tours"): http://www.ricksteves.com/about-us/contact-us
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Legally, there is no minimum age limit for travel. It is up to the travel operator (airline or tour operator) whether they will accept her.
But, another question which comes up a lot on this forum. How long is she staying the in Schengen area (the time for the visit to Germany plus the two week tour, and any odd days at the end)? If the total is more than 90 days she needs a visa.
Is it more than 90 days? If so, have you given any thought to getting a visa?
Posted by
Here and there
108 posts
As a former exchange student myself, I'll chime in. First, is the tour through the exchange program or are you talking about a separate tour that has nothing to do with her exchange program, like a Rick Steves tour or something similar? If it's a tour run through the exchange program, then they will probably require you to sign some sort of permission/release form for her to travel, but will then allow her to travel. I did a similar two-week Eurotour through my exchange program and did not have any issues while traveling.
If it's an independent tour through another company, then it would be up to the company whether they would allow a minor on the tour and your best bet would be to contact the company directly to find out what their policy is. However, I will note that her exchange program may have rules about her traveling without supervision from the exchange program. While she's on her exchange program, the exchange organization could be liable if anything happens to her so often they are concerned about independent travel, though limitations and policies vary depending on the exchange program, country, etc.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
Startling point is that I don't know the answer but would note that each country's laws regarding medical treatment of minors needs to be considered.
Dr Tom should be in a better position to advise regarding German law.
Parental consent generally is required for the medical evaluation and
treatment of minor children. However, children and adolescents might
require evaluation of and treatment for emergency medical conditions
in situations in which a parent or legal guardian is not available to
provide consent or conditions under which an adolescent patient might
possess the legal authority to provide consent. In general, a medical
screening examination and any medical care necessary and likely to
prevent imminent and significant harm to the pediatric patient with an
emergency medical condition should not be withheld or de- layed
because of problems obtaining consent. The purpose of this pol- icy
statement is to provide guidance in those situations in which pa-
rental consent is not readily available, in which parental consent is
not necessary, or in which parental refusal of consent places a child
at risk of significant harm. Pediatrics 2011;128:427–433