Schengen

Use schengen-calculator.com. It will count the days for you and the countries participating.

Get a visa or spend time outside the Zone. Otherwise, no!

Such ways are probably the equivalent ways people use getting around the US' ESTA rules. Lots of people do it, of course. But not recommended really.

When you ask about getting around the 90 day limit, what are you thinking??? Keep in mind that it has been reported on this site that one person overstayed one day thinking it was 3 months, was fined $500, miss her return flight and had to buy an expensive one way ticket for the next day. Someone else reported a deliberate overstay of a couple weeks, was prohibited from returning for seven years. The 90 day limit is not to be taken lightly.

Don't forget that both your arrival day and your departure day count.

It's not easy to get a long-stay visa. Apparently you typically have to prove you have medical insurance, income and financial assets, and a lease for housing during the period of the visa. The latter would be especially problematic for someone who plans to travel around rather than just staying in one place.

Convenient non-Schengen destinations include the UK, Ireland, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Albania and Turkey.

There's a handy map and list of page 2 of this EC brochure.

8.Do not help people break laws. Speaking of the existence of law breaking is OK. Sharing how to circumvent visa restrictions, scam hotels, or perform other illegal acts is prohibited.

Forum guidelines prohibit offering advice on how to break the law, if that is what you mean by "any way around'

If you want to stay more than 90 days you need to obtain the appropriate visa.

Getting a visa and residency permit in Italy was painful and I would be unlikely to do it again. If I wanted to be in Europe for more than 90 days I would go to the UK or other non-Schengen, perhaps alternating stays: 89 days Schengen, 90-100 days UK, 89 Schengen, etc. An American citizen can stay in the UK up to 180 days at a stretch.

Help might be on the way...I have not been following the progression of this tourist e-visa but here is the link, https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/tourism/promoting-europe/visa_en You will have to do the research to see what progress has been made, if any. But the bottom line is, Schengen is very real and is seriously implemented by the European authorities who follow it. Overstaying is an absolute no no.

Thanks for that link, Kimberly. I didn't know something like that was under consideration. I'd love the opportunity to spend close to 3 months traveling through multiple countries after parking myself somewhere for a month or two of language lessons.

The press release is dated 01 April 2014. I wonder...

There's no way to get around the Schengen Visa rules. Your options would appear to be.....

• Spend 90 days in the Schengen zone (which includes arrival and departure days) and then go to the U.K. or a non-Schengen country for 90 days.
• Jump through the hoops and get a long stay Visa in one of the Schengen countries. You'll likely need to have proof of income and carry medical insurance for the duration of your stay.

Yeah, face it, work within the rules. If you have a raging need to stay longer, then pay the dues to get a visa or other means like an investment or other big gesture that grants you rights.

I do not know your situation, but most people looking to get around the rules also are looking to work, raising more legal issues, then usually other issues that raise problems.

Kimberly, that is a four year old proposal. Anyone have an idea on how to follow up? I am sure if it had been adopted we all would know about it. Would like to know if it was still under consideration.

A four year old proposal from April the first.

I doubt if it is an old April fool's joke. Looks pretty official.

Yes, this is a legitimate document. There is much to read and understand but the following links explain everything (I think)

Following the links:

• A legislative proposal for a Regulation establishing a touring visa *http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52014PC0163

*http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52014PC0163&from=EN

See Link 2 for the actual form to be filled out to obtain a Touring Visa.

One probably will need to call the country embassy or a consulate involved in the Schengen agreement for more advise.

As I stated, I have not followed through but someone who is genuinely interested in obtaining a Touring Visa might be kind enough to report back the actual reality of obtaining just such visa.

It is simply a proposal. There is no indication it has been actually adopted. The application form is simply attached as an exhibit to the proposal, showing what it would look like.

Note that there is no accompanying instruction sheet, nor indication of where one should submit the application.

Yes, it is only a proposal thus non-binding and currently not yet adopted or declined. Though I would not hesitate to inquiry of an embassy or consult of its status and possible personal implementation if you can show monetary funds , insurance and reason for need. It never hurts to ask.