I know that with just my American passport I can be in the EU for 90 days without any special visas. My question is how long do I have to exit the EU before I can re-enter with just me regular passport? Do I have to be out of the EU for days, weeks, or months and how many?
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8123 posts
In addition to what Kate mentioned, check the current status of the agreement, used to be that Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, and other Eastern European countries were also not fully implemented into the agreement. That was supposed to change at the end of 2007, but not sure if it was implemented. But Switzerland, Turkey, and Croatia are all non-Schengen countries you can visit without eating up your 90 days. Do be sure though if you exit the Schengen zone for the purpose of extending your 90 days, retain something like clear passport stamps or hotel reciepts to prove your point if questioned later.
Posted by
Scotland
505 posts
A good point to remember is that Ireland and the UK are not part of the Schengen agreement, so any time there is in addition to the 90 days in the Schengen Union. But you still must exit the Schengen Union for 90 days before returning.
I believe that the UK now only allows US citizens 3 months time unless you apply for an extended visa. The thing to remember with staying in Europe for an extended period of time is that you will be expected to show proof that you have enough funds to pay for food, housing, medical needs etc. (you can't work on a tourist visa). Thus, if you are going to be staying more than a couple months be prepared to show bank statements or other proof of funds when you enter Europe.
Kate
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
10 posts
Wow, how dumb we are. We traveled to Europe for 8 months in 2003 and 12 months in 2006-07. We didn't know there was a problem at all. No one ever said anything to us either. Maybe we were just lucky.
Paula and Tony Oppermann.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Yes Paula...you were!
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8123 posts
You were lucky and I think many are. Passport control can be somewhat lax in Schengen countries in my experience, they really do not look close unless they sense a problem. That said though, if there is a problem, penalties can be severe, including essentially an entry ban for many years. An extended visa is not that hard to get in most cases and worth the effort.