My partner and I are landing in paris 16 June 2007. We plan to spend 1 year in europe but do not have a working visa. Is it possible to jump from country to country without a visa as long as we do not spend more than 3 months in each country.This is our first trip to Europe and any travel tips would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Newport Beach, CA, USA
769 posts
Justin - Id recommend getting the latest Europe through the Back Door Guide that covers ALL of Europe. I think US, Canada, Ausi are all fine without Visas in West and Central Europe. Most of "Eastern" is probably all open too - but search "VISA" on this web site too. But do get copy of the book - you will find it really usefull. It will give you great details on the practicalities of travel and tips there - but also plenty of basic info on each country!
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Justin, your tourist visa to Schengen-Europe is 3 months. It doesn't matter how much time so spend in each of the Schengen countries, as long as the accumulated sum of days doesn't exceed those three months. Could you bypass by hopping from Schengen-countries to non-Schengen ones? I don't know, check with the embassies. Just keep in mind though that with millions from people pouring into Europe from the East and Africa work-permit raids happen on a daily basis in all EU countries, especially at Fast Food restaurants, construction sites, hotels etc.
Posted by
Redding, CA, USA
1568 posts
Justin: You can only stay a TOTAL of 90 days in the countries participating in the Schengen Agreement. For example: if you stay 30 days in France, 30 days in Austria and 30 days in Belgium then you must leave for 6 months before you may re-enter the Schengen Zone..Unless however, you have a special visa.....Here is a web site with information....
http://www.myvisaadviser.co.uk/about_visas_schengen_visa.htm
Hope this helps.
Posted by
Redding, CA, USA
1568 posts
The Countries participating in the Schengen Agreement;
The 15 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries except Norway and Iceland are European Union members.
Note; United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and Switzerland are NOT participants in the Schengen Agreement.
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Just to remember: The Swiss people have voted to join the Schengen zone in 2005. The country is currently in the adaptation process which will be completed sometime in 2008. From then on Switzerland will be associated member of the Schengen trety area (similar to Iceland and Norway).