Our family is planning to travel in Europe for about 5 consecutive months. As the Schengen visa rules will only cover 90 days of that period, it appears that we will have to apply for individual country visas for the 2 months we go over the 90 day limit. The challenge for us is that ideally we'd like to figure some of our itinerary out as we go, so we would not necessarily have city, hotel or travel decisions completely figured out. If it matters, the countries we're tentatively planning to visit past the 90 day limit are Spain, Portugal, Morocco (which isn't a participant) and briefly back to France or the UK before leaving Europe. Does anyone have experience with this type of situation - and if so, what recommendations do you have?
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7574 posts
Where all are you going and for what amount of time? You mention the UK, both the UK and Ireland are not parties to the Schengen agreement, so any time spent there would not count on your 90 days. Other countries not party to the agreement would be Croatia and most of the Balkan states, plus Bulgaria and Romania. If your itinerary is such that you cannot avoid more than 90 days, then I suggest contacting an Embassy, either France or Spain seem likely, and query about requirements. Each country has it's own list of requirements, but most will require proof of financial support, medical insurance, maybe a background check, etc. I believe, but am not certain, that you will not apply for Visas in each individual country or use the visa in conjunction with the "90 days", you would apply likely for a 6 month visa for your arrival country or the one that you will be spending the most time, France for example, and travel to other countries within the Schengen zone would be allowed. These are all questions to ask the embassy.
Posted by
OP
Seattle area, WA, USA
4 posts
Thanks for your reply, very helpful. I did the math and believe we're looking at 100 days in the Schengen countries (see below for our draft itinerary). It would probably be easier to cut out some days and visit some nearby non-Schengen countries instead. However, if we want to stick to this schedule, which embassy do you think makes the most sense to approach? * = current Schengen treaty participant. Iceland 3 United Kingdom 7 Norway 5 Poland 5 Hungary 5 Czech Republic 21 Croatia 21 Italy 21 Spain 25 Portugal 10
Morocco 14 *France 5 (not sure if the formatting of this will show up, but the number is the number of days tentatively planned for each). FYI only - this is the beginning of a year-long round-the-world trip we are planning, starting in the summer of 2012. We expect to return to Europe in the summer of 2013, so we should be able to visit the countries we miss in 2012, in 2013.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
I'd like to remind you that extended visas, where available (there aren't such visas for Italy, for instance, except for retirement), are country-specific and usually come with some caveats, like the need to have a short-term residence upon 30 days of arrival and fulfill registration with the civil administration of the country etc. Nothing too hassle, but there isn't such "come here and travel as you wish, without fixed residence, for 5 months" anywhere in Schengen.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3124 posts
Make it easy on yourself and pare it down to 90 days within the Schengen zone. You only have to shift 10 days to the UK or other non-Schengen countries. Much easier than jumping through the hoops for a visa for your whole family.
Posted by
Des Moines, IA
2193 posts
If you're looking at 100 days in the Schengen area, why not make some minor adjustments so that you can stay within the 90 day limit since you're that close anyway? You're only talking 10 days...I don't get it.
Posted by
OP
Seattle area, WA, USA
4 posts
Michael - As I mentioned, that is probably what we'll do (cut down to 90 days), but I was looking for an alternative if there is one.
Posted by
Germany, Germany
813 posts
I recommend you contact the Department of State and ask them. They should be able to give a good idea how complicated the paperwork will be in your situation. You can find more information here: http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Only 5 days for France,, how sad.
Posted by
OP
Seattle area, WA, USA
4 posts
Pat - this is just the first pass through Europe. We'll be back in the summer of 2013 and have penciled in 21 days in France.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Nice, another trip already penciled in!
Posted by
Malaga, Malaga, Spain
410 posts
We obtained long term residency visas for Spain some years ago...not for an extended trip but because we wanted to live here. Considering that, it was relatively straightforward but we did have to prove we had rental accommodation, private health insurance, police record clearance, medical clearance and so on..it was all clearly spelled out on the Spanish embassy website in Australia. We made a trip here to do this but you could probably do it remotely. Would we have done it for an extended trip ....no. At the time (2006) similar visas were obtainable for both Italy and France but my research at the time indicated they would be harder to obtain than for Spain.
Posted by
Sacramento, CA, United States
35 posts
We checked into getting Visas at both Spain's and Portugal's consulates last year and decided it wasn't worth the hassle. We adjusted our trip to include Great Britain instead and had a wonderful time. Like you, we plan to return next year, so we don't consider what we missed as a loss, just another travel opportunity.