There have been so many posts about staying more that 90 days in Europe. Many replies stated that if you over stayed your welcome, they may not let you back in. In 1988 I was in Germany for 5 months. I stayed with a family of an exchange student that we had. I questioned my parents if they got proper authorization for me to remain for longer than 90 days. They stated that they only remember getting a passport, nothing else. With it being so many years ago, could I be denied entry?
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
That was then....this is now. You won't have any problems.
Posted by
Freedonia
16408 posts
While I can't give you the definitive answer, 1988 was 20 years ago and before open borders. In those days, you still had to show your passport when going between countries.
In 1991, I remember going to nine countries in Europe, passed through passport control in each country, and only got my passport stamped in the UK. I was with a group and some didn't even bother looking at the inside of my passport--they just wanted to make sure I was carrying a US passport as I claimed.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8123 posts
First, if any action would have been taken against you at that time, you would have known. Second, had they taken action, the penalty would have been a restriction on re-entry, typically a ban on re-entry for 10 years. So, 1988, ten years, 1998, now 2009...you will have no problem. That said, I wouldn't corner an immigration official and inquire about it...let the past be the past.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
The specifics of the 90 day rule weren't even signed until 2nd amendment to the Schengen Agreement in 1990, and weren't implemented until even later. So don't worry, the law is not retroactive and you broke no rules.
Posted by
OP
Phoenix, AZ
199 posts
Thank you for all your replies. I was pretty sure that there would be no problem, but I would hate getting off a 10 hour flight and then be denied.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12315 posts
The normal penalty is not letting you in for five years. Since it's been so long, I think you will probably be okay even if there was something wrong back then. You probably would have known at the time if something was done wrong.
If you have your old passport, you could look and see what is stamped inside. I think in my visa traveling days most of them were for any six-months in a five year period (I think my last visa was in the 80's).
Posted by
Berlin, Germany
337 posts
Paul, I agree on your fist point: people usually remember when they've been ordered out of the country.
But on your second (and Brad's) point is not that clear in Germany (which the OP mentioned): according to AufenthG article 11 the re-entry-ban will be terminated upon request after 3-10 years...