Generally, a US citizen can freely travel around Europe for 90 days as a tourist (without a visa). But my trip is 125 days and I plan to move around. The UK allows visitors to stay 180 days though. Could I travel around Europe (Italy, France, Germany) for 90 days then spend the last 35 days in the UK so I don't have to get a visa?
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15777 posts
As long as you aren't in Schengen countries for more than 90 days, you're fine. UK is not Schengen, Italy, France and Germany are. Now, how does one manage 125 days in Western Europe? I think I'm jealous!
Posted by
Washington, DC
888 posts
Yes, your plan should work out fine. This sounds like my kind of problem: how to spend 125 days in Europe!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23609 posts
You can split your time. The key is 90 days out of a 180 day period. So you could start in England and travel back and forth. But do keep some documentation for when you are out of the Schengen area.
Posted by
Columbia, SC
389 posts
The other popular non-Schengen countries are Ireland, Croatia, and Turkey. (There's also Bulgaria, Romania etc). With three months you can definitely expand beyond France, Italy, and Germany if you so choose.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA
2 posts
Thanks for all the help!! I am very relieved that I don't have to get a visa. You can spend 125 days in Europe by WWOOF-ing! You basically work on a farm in exchange for food and housing.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
I would be careful about that if I were you. A tourist visa does not allow you to work. And from accounts I have read in the past, they basically treat you like slaves, and there is little leisure time. It's not like you work a couple of hours and then go off sightseeing. Make sure you understand the law.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23609 posts
Wwoofing works somewhat for other Europeans because they do not have the same restrictions on working that an American tourist has. For an Am tourist wwoofing is illegal and they basically tell you that on their web site in a very indirect manner. They say things like you are responsible for understanding your restrictions, etc. You are assuming a lot of risk. You become the same as the illegal aliens in our country.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
A work week in most of Europe is six days. You would have one day out of every seven for seeing Europe, and you'll need transportation to and from the farm. That's once you have your work papers in order. It may not end up being the experience you imagine.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33759 posts
You will find, if you search around the archives here, several prior threads about WWOOFing around. I don't remember hearing back from any happy WWOOFers after the case. I don't think anybody here would encourage you to become an illegal alien which is what you would likely do. I'd be very careful if I were you.