Comments on: How to (Legally) Stay in Europe for More Than 90 Days

By: François

François — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 14:25:23 +0000

Matt,
Thanks for the really helpful article.
Question for you or the forum:
My American wife is traveling to France. Unaware, we booked a 91-day (including departure days) RT ticket from the US.
If I understand correctly, she could go to UK for 5 days during our stay in France and not overstay her 90 days in Schengen. My question is will she be able to enter France with her current airline reservation (91 days) and will we need to have proof of her travels to the UK during our stay?
Any help would be really helpful (for what it’s worth, me and the kids are traveling on French passports but I don’t think that makes a difference for my wife’s situation).
Thanks.
François

By: Darren.

Darren. — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 08:42:42 +0000

In reply to Efrutik.

Hi Matt.
I own a property in Spain that requires renovation, I’m told there is an extension to the 3 month rule but can’t seem to find any info on this.
Because of town Hall planning time I would need to be there longer than 3 months.
Any advice !!
Thank you . Darren.

By: Steve Sternik

Steve Sternik — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 00:07:36 +0000

In reply to Deborah. I am still wondering that same thing. You can spend 90 days say in Italy, Germany etc., then come back to France for 90 days and stay in France you cannot go to any other country. However, on the Etias sight says ask for permission. Who do you ask for permission from. Two French consulates in the USA have no idea even of the bilateral agreement. Washington, DC does and confirmed but, will not tell me how or who to ask for permission from. Can anyone help in this situation?

By: Deborah

Deborah — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 11:50:33 +0000

Great article Matt, I came across it several years ago – at that time I did not have an issue but I do now unfortunately due to Brexit.

My husband & I (both Australian) spent 4-6 months in the Schengen zone each year from 2014 to 2019 and did not have an issue as we have dual passports Aus/German and Aus/British.

Once we are able to leave Australia, hopefully in 2022, we want to go for an extended period. I am fine as I have the German passport however because of Brexit my husband is limited to the 90 days.

Does anyone know if this is the case or is he able to stay longer as he is married to me and I have a German passport?

By: Deborah

Deborah — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 09:39:40 +0000

In reply to Eva Wilson. Eva did you find the answer to your question ? I am Canadian too and was also looking this up, apparently there is a bilateral agreement that allows us 90 extra days as well. Did you ever hear about that? It’s listed on the eiatas visa site. I don’t know if you have to contact the prefecture and request an extension of stay or inform them that you want to extend your stay however. I’m still trying to figure this out. If you or anyone else knows it would be much appreciate if you could let me know. Thanks.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 06:21:48 +0000

I found on the EITAS website that there are tons of bilateral agreements for the US, Canada and other places allowing people to extend their stay. The only thing is I’m not clear if I have to contact someone in that country with the bilateral agreement to let them know I am staying for extra time. Or do I just stay ? And know it’s legal? Is the only issue proving it at the border when you leave? How do I do this?

By: Deborah

Deborah — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 06:19:05 +0000

In reply to Dylan. Do you know how to apply for these extensions due to the bilateral agreements? Do I have to speak to anyone at the embasssy or ask for permission ? Or is it just when I leave I will have to show a copy of the agreement possibly to let the border authorities know? The embassies don’t list it on their website.

By: Rob Haskell

Rob Haskell — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 19:06:33 +0000

Thanks! Impressive effort. So one detail that I thought could have been clearer, and I’ve just deduced from what you said (if I have it right) is the amount of time one has to be outside of the Schengen Zone after a 90-day stint. It appears to be 90 days? Or does this depend? But an American can apparently live in a Schengen zone country half-time, with no hassles whatsoever, leaving every three months for three months?

But beyond all these options, there are of course a great variety of ways in which someone might become permanent resident or even a citizen of a Schengen Zone country, right? If you wanted to live permanently in Europe, wouldn’t that be worth pursuing as well?

By: Kate Hawthorne

Kate Hawthorne — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 16:44:51 +0000

This is so useful! I do have one question regarding the French exemption: this is only true if you go from one Schnegen country, then France, and then home, correct? So, if you go from one Schnegen country, then home for a month or so, then France, it wouldn’t work – you would have to stay out of the Schnegen area for 90 days? Also, to get a student visa for France, you have to be in the US to apply, correct – you can’t do so from another country?

I am trying to plan a quasi-half-gap-year for me to get my language skills better before going to my graduate university and am having a hard time wrapping my head around the craziness of the Schnegen laws.

By: Mark Phillips

Mark Phillips — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 08:59:33 +0000

Sadly we didn’t find the Greek border guys that slack.

They held us up for several hours crossing into Bulgaria over technicalities with our stay in Schengen.

(The Greeks apparently count time in a Schengen country even if you’re there in that country under a different type of visa. Eg the Australian-German Bilateral visa)