Since some have taken offense at my posting an actual article, I hereby offer this snippet and a link. If it doesn't work, I guess you'll need to pull on your deerstalker cap. We should all have such problems ....
What this means for U.S. travelers, generally speaking, is that you can stay 90 days within a 180-day period in a Schengen country and never worry about a visa.
http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-tr-spot-20150329-story.html
Phred, Why are you posting this? Have there not been enough posts explaining the Schengen rules?
I think the offence was not at you posting the article, but not saying it was an article and where it came from. You just posted it as if you had written it.
And if you think it will help potential questioners about Schengen time limits, why not post it in 'General Europe'? Why in 'Transportation' forum?
And actually, after reading the linked article, it was probably the skimpiest explanation of the 90/180 rule I have ever seen. A new poster will get better information on this rule by posting the question here than by reading that article.
What got my attention is that the couple got a 1,000 euro fine for violating Schengen.
$1,200 bucks for not knowing about Schengen!
I for one applaud this article in the LA Times. There needs to be more articles like this published in well read and not so well read publications. There are just too many people, young, old and well educated that have not heard of the Schengen Visa. I have friends (retirees) who have PhDs and had planned to tour Europe for a year - that is - until I mentioned the Schengen Visa. They had absolutely no idea such a limitation of 90 days travel in Schengen countries existed. They had never heard of the term Schengen. In another instance, I talked to several young people working in REI that were bragging how they had friends backpacking around Europe for the last year and they plan to join them for a year or two. I mentioned the Schengen Visa and got weird looks from them like I was from another planet. Too little press coverage is given to the Schengen Visa.
Ok, maybe this article has its downfalls but at least it gets people thinking, what is the Schengen Visa, I have never heard of it! Well now the reader has heard of it and can do their own investigation. For many ignorance - is no longer bliss and maybe - just maybe -may make them rethink their longer term travel plans in Europe.
Well, KImberly, it is because your friends are not reading this site. The Schengen zone limits have been beat to death on this site. As you have to do is mention you are going to Europe for three month and someone will quickly point out that three months is not 90 days. Also, what I dislike about these references is that you have to sign in before you can read it. For me, I am very careful about where I sign in.
Kimberley, you're like a modern-day Johnny Appleseed - planting your seeds of knowledge all around ;-) Keep up the good work!
Rick Steves should be required reading in all schools, and his reading materials should be in all waiting rooms...
Sorry, didn't realize there was a 90/180 rule on Schengen posts
Kimberly, if I were going to a new country which I was not familiar with, the first things I would research are:
Maybe people from the USA are not familiar with going to foreign countries and assume they can stay as long as they like. I keep reading about problems with illegal immigrants, so they must know you can't do that in the USA.
@Kent: The 500 euro fine is routine. I think it's meant to indicate that they're serious about their rules. There's a well established legal principle that ignorance is no excuse for breaking a law. Like it or not, when we undertake to travel in other countries, it's our responsibility to know their laws. (I know you know that. I'm just saying it for the benefit of any readers who haven't thought that through.)
@ Kimberley...Your point is well taken. I've run into people like that too, ie, uninformed as to the time limit. One guy in particular already 70 didn't care about the penalties incurred when staying over 90 days. He would stay 4 months at a time, had not been caught, basically was taking his chances, and figured that by the time he was caught and penalized, his health would not permit him to travel anyway.
Fred, I wonder what that Guy's opinion was of how to deal with illegal immigrants in his own country? What's sauce for the goose is sauce fro the Gander.
@ Chris....I mentioned to him how he dealt with the time constraint imposed by Schengen. No, he was aware of the 90 day limit and was aware too of his breaking the law by staying beyond that. He didn't care, was willing to take his chances of being barred as a penalty. I'm not that type of gambler.
Yes, phred.
You cannot post a question mentioning the word Schengen if fewer than 90 days have elapsed since the last Schengen post or people here will get upset.
However after 180 days without a Schengen post, the same people will go on withdrawal, therefore it's really important that a Schengen post is inserted in this forum between 90 and 180 days.
If you are a member of the Rick Steves' staff, then Working Visa rules apply. In which case you can enter as many posts you want.
Roberto....good.
Just for the record. Yesterday we met an acquaintance at a birthday party and got to talking. This guy has been to Europe countless times over many years. All over the place. Now, he is being located by his company to Lisbon for two months and outlined his travel plans after his assignment. I asked if that would spell trouble with the Schengen rules, and he had NEVER heard of it. Not many people, I think, travel for three or more months at a time, no matter how experienced or seasoned they are, and not everyone reading these threads has been doing it daily for years. Some stuff bears repeating.
Denny,
If your acquaintance is being relocated by his company to Lisbon they will be getting him a Portuguese work and resident's permit. The 90 days is strictly tourism only, no working.
But, the advantageous side effect is that a resident's permit for any Schengen country also allows unlimited travel (but not work) in all other Schengen countries fro as long as it is valid.
"The Schengen zone limits have been beat to death on this site."
True, Frank, as have also been ATM use and plug adapters. But there are newbies coming on all the time who haven't seen the previous thread; nor do to they know about searching the site. They just ask their question, which has been asked ad naseum before. Be patient.
"The Schengen zone limits have been beat to death on this site."
True, Frank, as have also been ATM use and plug adapters. But there are newbies coming on all the time who haven't seen the previous thread; nor do to they know about searching the site. They just ask their question, which has been asked repeatedly, ad naseum, before. Be patient.
Not beat to death enough, apparently.
We currently have an individual who thinks they can wwof for 2 and a half months in Portugal then another nearly 3 months in Schengen without, with only a 5 day break in London.
