Australian staying longer in the Schengen

Hi, I’m wondering if you can help clear up some confusion!

I am an Australian citizen and my boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Europe. I have a bit of an understanding of the Schengen rule 90/180 days, 90 days in 90 days out. But we were hoping to stay longer in the Schengen region, due to him wanting to compete in some windsurfing events.

So I have a few questions.

Does the Youth Mobility Scheme give us any privileges in the Schengen region? Given the UK is not a part of this arrangement and we are still essentially Australian citizens, I don’t think it does.

Would it be better to apply for a Working Holiday Visa for Germany. From my understanding, any time spent in Germany would not be counted towards our 90/180 days. However looking at the application for a WHV we need to have our flights and travel insurance organised and a German address, which we wouldn’t have.

Or are there any other options that we have to stay longer, other than hopping in and out of Schengen.

Thanks
Natalie

1. 1: no, it doesn't. As you rightly point out, the YMS is a strictly British thing

1. 2: afaik, your assumtion is wrong. Even though a WHV would allow for more time in Germany, the 90-in-180 rule still applies, so it wouldn't buy you more time outside Germany. I might be wrong, though. Better ask the German consulate about this.

1. 3: hopping in and out of Schengen is not an option. You have to stay out a solid 3 months before coming back in.

Thank you for your reply.

I think you misunderstood what I meant by getting the German WHV though. I know it wouldn’t allow for an extension on the 90/180 days in the Schengen, it would just mean that say we spent 2 months travelling through Germany, we could then use our 90 days to travel through Shengen. Or am I wrong on this?

I am really just after any other suggestions people may have which would increase our time in Schengen. It is all a little confusing!

Thanks
Natalie

I know it wouldn’t allow for an extension on the 90/180 days in the Schengen, it would just mean that say we spent 2 months travelling through Germany, we could then use our 90 days to travel through Schengen.

Yes, this works.

One word of warning though: AFAIK you cannot hold a WHV for Germany at the same time as a YMS visa to the UK.