length of stay in europe

Europe is not one country.

• A US citizen can stay in the Schengen Area for 90 days in any 180. 90 days means 90, not 3 months, and arrival and departure dates count as full days. Multiple visits add to your total. Map of the Schengen Area here: https://visaguide.world/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/europe-1.png
• The UK is not in the Schengen Area, US citizens are allowed 6 months in the UK.
• Other countries have individual limits, I have no knowledge on what these limits are.

These limits have been unchanged for many years there are no recent changes.

When you asked for recent information, are you thinking that there has been some recent changes? It is pretty simply -- 90 days out of any 180 day period for the Schengen zone and that covers most of Europe.

Hello,
I apprciate the feedback from Frank, Chris, Scythian. Just as I was understanding your facts about the length of stay I read a report from CNN. It seems the Euraopean Travel Information and Authorization System or ETIAS has announced that in 2021 American tourists will need this new visa to vistit the European Aarea. Just when you think you understand everything!!

cmb303

Hello again,
oops on the word area (aarea), it really should have been European Schengen Area.
cmb303

Aaargh, more misinformation about ETIAS!!!

ETIAS
1) Does not affect the amount of time anybody is allowed in the Schengen Area (the question you asked).
2) Will not start until 2021.
3) IS NOT a visa.
4) It is old news, announced some time ago. Blame CNN for misrepresenting it.

• What it will be is a requirement for non-EU/Schengen citizens to register online before departure, and give your details (name, passport info etc.).
• This is similar to the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) System which the USA has enforced on non-US visitors for many years.
• This should be no problem for US visitors, as they can register after deciding their travel dates. they already have to give this info to the airline, which passes it on to governments.

The recently announced decision on ETIAS does not change any provisions for length of stay. It really is just countries in Europe acting on threats to reciprocate on what the US requires of visitors from most countries; submitting personal information ahead of the trip and paying a small fee.

The information in previous posts is correct about lengths of stay in various countries and zones, except remember that entry is always subject to the discretion of the immigration officer, including limiting the amount of time below the maximum allowed. For casual travel this is rarely an issue, but if you are playing the "Schengen Shuffle", trying to juggle your days in and out of the Schengen Zone for an extended period of time, it could come up (In the UK for example)

This should be no problem for US visitors, as they can register after deciding their travel dates. they already have to give this info to the airline, which passes it on to governments.

There is some additional information needed beyond what the airlines provide on a Passenger Manifest, like employment information and additional Security and background questions, mostly no problem, but I suppose currently you do not have to declare something like a past Felony conviction unless asked, but you likely will be asked under ETIAS.