1.
Posted by
SmorfTravel
(Budding Member 3 posts)
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Hi to all
We are planning a trip to the UK and Europe. The UK is settled and we will then go to Calais in France. From there we want to see Paris, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Solvenia, Croatia, Switerland, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. Were thinking of doing an anti-clockwise travel from France, to Spain, to Portugal (car and train). Then fly to Italy and then up to Solvenia and Croatia (Car). Then looking at Austria, Gewrmany, Belgium and Netherlands. Does this general route sound appropriate. We will be over there for 3 to 4 months from about 25th July 2023.
Thanks
David
[ Edit: Edited on 24 Feb 2023, 08:21 GMT by SmorfTravel ]
2.
Posted by
AndyF
(Moderator 2763 posts)
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Yes it makes sense in general terms.
Are you aware of the Schengen visa restrictions? Once you leave the UK you get 90 days in the Schengen zone, which is all the countries you're planning. So your "3 to 4 months" should be planned carefully.
It's 90 days in the zone in any rolling 180 day period, so it's possible to hack things a little by spending time outside the zone in other countries. In your case there aren't many nearby options for that - Bosnia, Serbia, UK and Ireland appear to be the closest. Leaving the zone halts the clock while you spend a few days elsewhere, then on your return it resumes.
3.
Posted by
leics2
(Travel Guru 5166 posts)
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Agree that your plan makes overall sense but....
>Leaving the zone halts the clock while you spend a few days elsewhere, then on your return it resumes
Andy's absolutely right but it's important to be absolutely clear that the maximum visa-free entry to all 26 Schengen countries is 90 days in any 180 day period, calculated from the date you first enter the Schengen area (Croatia acceded to Schengen in January this year). Spending a few days in a non-Schengen country pauses the clock but doesn't reset it. In order to get a further 90 days in the Schengen area you'd need to spend a full 90 days outside it. There are potential fines and re-entry bans for overstaying.
4.
Posted by
SmorfTravel
(Budding Member 3 posts)
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Hi Andy F and Travel Guru
Thanks for the comments. I have read about this, but this does provide further clarity for me. Need to think about this a bit more before finalising the trip. If this is a 90 day visa free period, can one buy an additional visa to permit additional time in the zone?
Cheers
David
5.
Posted by
leics2
(Travel Guru 5166 posts)
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>If this is a 90 day visa free period, can one buy an additional visa to permit additional time in the zone?
In a word, no. There are no extensions and no suitable visas.
Citizenships which are not eligible for the 90-in-180 visa waiver can apply for a 90-in-180 Schengen visa. Longer-stay Schengen visas are intended for e.g. study or work purposes (application is made to the relevant country) and not for general tourism.
You'll need to adjust your travel plan to work within the 90-in-180 limit. You must leave the Schengen Zone on or before the 90th day.
PS I'm Leics2, not Travel Guru. :-)
[ Edit: Edited on 24 Feb 2023, 12:59 GMT by leics2 ]
6.
Posted by
SmorfTravel
(Budding Member 3 posts)
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Thanks Leics2 (apologies)
Kind regards
David