European restricitions for DUI

Your traveling companion, wouldn't by any chance be from Cleveland?

David, I asked the same question yesterday (Look for Bernie, down the thread) and got alot of responses, some of which was even helpful. Seemed like most everyone wanted to talk about Canada, even though my inquiry had nothing to do with Canada. Best advice I got was to contact the American embassy (consulate) of the country(s) you will be visiting and ask them outright. Most countries have multiple consulates in the US; just google it. I was able to reach the German consulate yesterday and they had no problem with it. Still trying to get answers from UK countries, but the consensus seems to be that misdeneanor DUI should not be a problem. Good luck...suggest you post your findings for others who will inevitably have the same question. Cheers! B

Thanks Bernie, I think that calling the consulates is the best advice but I have been striking out with the Swiss Consulate. I've talked to two different people at the Swiss Conulates in San Francisco and New York and both simply said they don't know if it's a problem or not. They "didn't have that information" and they didn't have any recommendations on how to find out. I've gone over the swiss website with a fine tooth comb and can't find anything. I've got several emails out to them hopefully they will eventually answer but I'm not holding my breath. In contrast, it only took me a few minutes to get an answer from the Dutch Consulate, and its no problem there. I dont think its an issue in Europe. I spoken to two travel agents specializing in European tours and I've scoured the internet. I haven't been able to find a single case where someone was denied entry to a European country because of a DUI.

And how the heck will they find out if you have a conviction? They do not have access to the US databases and they do not make you sign anything regarding your convictions. There should be no problem.

DUI convictions are maintained by each state. I cannot imagine any way that foreign countries would have access to, or even be interested in, all of that data.

" ...And how the heck will they find out if you have a conviction? They do not have access to the US databases and they do not make you sign anything regarding your convictions. There should be no problem..." Immigration officials absolutely have access to each others databases, and that includes USA/European Union. There is a person in Germany with the same name as myself who has a warrant for some sort for domestic violence offense. For the past couple of years, whenever I enter the EU and/or the USA the immigration officials the computer screen always flashes an alert when they scan my passport. This leads to extra questioning, mostly along the lines of "Are you the Michael Schneider wanted for domestic violence in Germany?" When I say "no" they let me on my way:)

I am pretty sure the US does not allow any other countries to access any US database. There is however the Interpol notices: a database that lists wanted suspects and convicts, as well as not wanted people that have committed criminal offences and are likely to repeat those criminal offences in other states. I doubt that DUI will get you on that list.

The only foreign country with which the US shares its crime database is Canada. Source:
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eopsterminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Law+Enforcement+%26+Criminal+Justice&L2=Criminal+Justice+Information+Services+(CJIS)&sid=Eeops&b=terminalcontent&f=chsb_cjis_ncic&csid=Eeops

I've now managed to get in touch with the Dutch, German, and Swiss Consulates and they all say there should be no problem entering with a U.S. DUI conviction. The only caveat from the Swiss consulate was unless the U.S. puts that information into an international database. I don't believe the US does that unless you're a wanted felon.

First hand experience; misdemeanor DUI: Entry into England and Ireland, not a problem Cheers!

I had a DUI and it was reduced to negligence 1....and I was told at CANADA customs I wasn't allowed there for 5 years ! I took a train there and they made me get on the next bus out of Canada.

This is a zombie thread from 2011.

Thanks Andrea for keeping us informed. Too be honest, I never look at the date of the posting. Now I will :)