Europe for a long time

Nancy, there have been all sorts of threads about living in Europe's Schengen countries longer than the normal visa-waiver allowances but you'd need to choose a country to search to find info which would may apply. You'd obviously need a long-term visa for that country, and they aren't necessarily easy to obtain, especially during these trying times.

But the other thing you can do is spend 90 days in a Schengen country, and then the next 90 days in a non-Schengen country, and then return to a Schengen country. This is a popular way of getting around the 90-day visa-waiver restrictions whilst still spending quality time exploring Europe. Does this make sense?

As you'd mentioned 6 months, I believe Americans are able to spend 6 months in the UK (not part of the Schengen) without a long-term visa (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/UnitedKingdom.html). Understand that the rules are different if you are intending to work anywhere in Europe during your stay, and nothing at all is a given during the COVID crisis. For instance, Italy is part of the Schengen but is not currently allowing American visitors for tourism stays.

Editing to add: if you don't know what a Schengen country is, here ya go (note that you don't need ETIAS travel authorization for a visa-waiver visit until estimated end of 2022.)

https://www.etiasvisa.com/etias-requirements/americans

You might research the links below for use after US citizens are allowed to go to Europe. These are the basics. There should be many more resources on this topic that you can find by Googling.

About the Schengen 90 days only rules:

Americans Traveling to Europe – EU Visa and Entry Requirements for US Citizens from Schengen Visa Info.

and from Wikipedia Visa Policy of the Schengen Area.

About the 6 month UK rules from the US State Department. Scroll past all the coronavirus stuff for the basics.

The Republic of Ireland is a part of the EU, but not Schengen. As best I could find, 90 days is the limit for US citizen visits, just like Schengen, but doesn't count against Schengen time. However, nowhere could I find anything that specifically said that. Here's a basic link for the Republic of Ireland, similar to one for the UK. Scroll down and click on Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements.

You guys were so helpful. Thanks so much.

hey hey ndlong
there is a poster from california that moved to italy for about two years and lived in verbania italy. hopefully she'll pop in and give you some info. she is planning to move back to the bay area/monterey soon. she is karen/verbania italy on lago maggiore. she mentions americans living in italy, a facebook page. maybe you can send her a message and learn more about moving there. she also has a website, barleysgrandadventures.com
you have gotten great info from fellow posters and things to look and research. good luck
aloha

I guess what exactly is your expectation. "expat status" is really not an official thing, but a descriptive term. For a year, or six months, the first decision is if you pursue a long stay visa of some category, or move to stay within standard entry requirements. As others said, that would limit you to about 6 months out of that year in the Schengen area, broken into two almost 90 day segments or broken up into multiple entries not totaling more than 180 days in the year. The UK, Ireland, Turkey, Croatia (for now) and most other Balkan countries, Romania, Bulgaria, and Morocco are all popular "other" places to park while burning non-Schengen days.

As for healthcare, that is a calculation you need to make. If seeking a long term visa, you will need to show proof. Technically they can ask for proof on any entry, though they would need to likely have suspicions to ask (in ~20 trips, never asked). You can buy longer term coverage for foreign travel, most "travel insurance" has limits of 30 or 60 days. Of course your age and health determines the level of insurance needed, as well as what your policy in the US will cover.

For lodging, you are probably looking at long term rentals, an apartment by the month, AirBNB or other site, depending on how much you move around.

I will address healthcare specifically. Ex-pat or traveler, you need coverage. If you are in the Medicare bracket, it does not cover you abroad unless you have a supplemental policy that includes overseas coverage. Travel insurance should include medical evacuation in case of serious health issues. My experience living in Italy was that the care itself is excellent and private insurance makes it all easier.

There is NO legal way to remain within the Schengen Area without a resident permit for one of the member states. And as we have seen from the lockdown, people who fail to meet the terms of the resident permit (actually be resident) had it canceled, fined and deported.

There is the opportunity for Americans to live in Spain for a year. Spain is part of Schengen, but they still offer this opportunity. Check the Spanish Embassy website for details. It came out, oh, I think last July?
Then, of course, there are non-Schengen countries that may allow extended stays.
I am a little curious as to the reference of 'expat status'. Maybe I don't understand the concept, but they have to jump local hoops as well (albeit perhaps with employer intervention). Personally, if the term 'expat' doesn't suit you, why let it apply to yourself? I see it as a choice of the social community to interact with. You can eschew that group and stick to being as local as you can. Learn the language and avoid the high priced neighbourhoods and anything that is English language first.

Denmark has a loophole for citizens of the US and some other countries who can end their trip in that country and get home (or to some non-Schengen country) without going though another Schengen country. Those travelers are allowed 3 months or 90 days (varies by citizenship) in Denmark, no matter how much time they've spent in the Schengen Zone. I posted more details in this thread: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/denmark/denmark-as-an-end-of-trip-schengen-loophole

To follow up on the post above regarding Spain, this is the "Travel to Spain" webpage for the U.S. Embassy and Consulate for Spain and Andorra:

https://es.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/information-for-travelers/traveling-to-spain/

This might also be helpful:
http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/WASHINGTON/en/Consulado/Pages/Visas.aspx

For long-term stays requiring a visa (and assuming you don't intend to work in the country), you might look at the info under "Non Lucrative/Retirement Visa."

Just one example of how requirements are specific to each country versus the continent.

You guys have given me so much good information. I will definitely go to recommended sites and research. Since I don't want to retire or work in Europe, you have given me great tips. Thanks so much. Hope Americans get out of quarantine soon.

Yes, it was the non lucrative visa that I read was feasible. If you are interested, I learned about it from a few blog posts by Wandering Earl, a young(er) travel blogger. He wrote about his experience and success
https://www.wanderingearl.com/category/countries/spain/

My retirement dream is to do a lease buyback through Puegout my trips have previously been for 2-3 weeks. Want to travel the continent and not be worried about time.

Douglas, Your friends would have had a one-year resident visa the year they stayed six months. They probably did the 90-day tourist entry the other years. Quite a few people have property in Europe that they use for 90 days at a time and don't bother with resident visas. Right now the disadvantage is that they can't get over to even check up on the property.