What Is The Schengen Zone And How Do Schengen Area Visas Work?
Visas aren’t the most interesting subject to read about though they happen to be the most discussed topic on this blog. Much of the confusion that fuels the questions behind that forum revolves around the continent where 50.7% of all people (477 million) [PDF] travel per year – Europe. The Schengen Agreement and Area are both visa topics you should brush up on if you’re headed to Europe for more than 3 months in any given 12 month period so you don’t unwittingly break any rules.
That Europe, by the way isn’t just the European Union (EU) and in fact isn’t all of the EU anyway, here’s what you need to know.
Where Is The Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area currently consists of 26 countries in Europe including Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, and Greece. You can see the full list of current members here. Some notable exceptions are England and Ireland (both EU but not Schengen). Several countries you might not expect also part of the Schengen Area include Estonia, Latvia, and Malta. Bulgaria and Romania are likely to join the Schengen club later this year.
So Why Should You Care About This Funny Sounding Area?
Because in terms of travel and visas, Schengen member states are essentially the same country. Across the Schengen Area, those of you from countries who do not require visas (including the United States, South Korea, Australia, Canada, and Brazil) are permitted to stay 90 days out of every 180. That means the entire Schengen Area, not just the Schengen member country you’re visiting.
This is where most people get confused – you can only stay within the entire Schengen Area for 90 days out of every 180. So, if you spend 1 month in Germany, then fly to France for a month, go visit your friends back in Turkey (not Schengen) for 2 weeks, then head to Spain for 6 weeks you’ll officially be overstaying your Schengen welcome. Want to spend two months in Austria then hop a train to Slovenia for 2 months? Well, that’s a no-no too.
These rules are, of course, the general ones and apply to most people but not all. For instance, New Zealand citizens have visa-free travel for 90 days out of every 180 in each individual Schengen nation. (A rare exception.) Check with the appropriate embassy for the specifics given your circumstances – don’t just take my word for it as visas can be complex and laws change quickly.
Only 3 Months In 26 Countries? The Reasoning Behind The Ridiculousness
Yes, these are the same folks who came up with the bright idea of a single currency without a framework to support it but actually the Schengen rules are very convenient – especially for Schengen residents. Citizens of member states can travel and live in the others without visas. Plus border crossings are more efficient without constant passport checks. (Checks are optional for each country at their discretion so always bring your travel documents when crossing any border.)
Most people take vacations and trips much shorter than 3 months and the Schengen Agreement while driving up visa costs (for those who need them) has steadily increased tourism to Europe. The Schengen Area isn’t going anywhere but rather, will continue to grow.
How Can You Stay Longer Than 3 Months In The Schengen Zone?
Residents of most countries will need to fill out a long-stay visa application at the embassy of the specific country they’ll be arriving in first (e.g. Sweden). Generally, long-stay visas must be applied for from outside the Schengen Area.
Long-stay visas are only allowed for up to one year. Afterward, from your point of entry into the Schengen, you’ll be free to visit the members states within that time. The Schengen rules don’t allow you to travel for more than a year within the Area so if you really fall in love with a country and want to stay longer than 12 months, you’ll need to file for a residence permit with that specific country.
What Happens If You Overstay?
That’s a question I’ve covered in depth before but to sum it up for short overstays upon leaving the Schengen Area you may face a fine. For longer overstays a ban for a number of years is possible. An overstay of even 1 day (remember it is 90 days not 3 months out of every 180 days) can hit your pocketbook and cause you problems so don’t risk it if you don’t have to. Finally, if you are behind the Schengen borders and simply couldn’t pull yourself away on time, you’ll likely find it easier avoiding being caught at passport control if you leave from countries that aren’t as culturally diligent about timekeeping. (*cough* Greece, Spain *cough*)
The more punctual peoples of Europe (Germans are notorious for catching short over-stayers) could cause you problems but in the end it all depends on the person you come across at passport control. The only way to not have any problems is to know and follow the rules.
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The Finns and the Dutch are also really difficult about this too. The Greeks didn’t even look at my passport when they stamped me out.
I’ve too had a few of the southern countries not look at my passport either, it’s always a bit strange when they do that!
This is great info — I’m considering a stint in Italy for a few months later this year. Hopefully the Italians take after the Greeks as well…
You still have time to apply for a long-stay visa if you’ll be over 3 months
Greece may not be diligent about checking, but I have read a number of horror stories. When they DO check, they will enforce stringently.
To your point, follow the rules and you won’t have any issues.
Exactly – you never want to be at the whim of border control if you can help it. Not the best way to say goodbye after a nice European trip!
This information is SO good to know and it’s much easier to understand when you explain it than trying to sort it out on official websites. Thank you!
Thanks, I’m glad I was able to clear it up a bit. Those official websites never seem to write the process plainly!
I would like to point out that “England” is not the United Kingdom. When you refer to “England and Ireland” I think you mean “the United Kingdom and Ireland”, because Scotland and Wales are part of the United Kingdom, and the United Kingdom as a whole is not in Schengen.
You’re correct the UK is not part of the Schengen, although I decided against changing the line, since both sentences are accurate. Thanks for pointing it out though if any one has any questions.
Great article. A lot of travellers don’t know about these regulations. I believe it is a deterrence to travellers spending more time in European nations.
I think so and I would imagine it has had an effect on business travel as well. I wouldn’t be surprised to find a nice bump in visa revenues from that alone.
Are you 100% certain it is each 180 days NOT six months? It might sound semantic but I have read both in different places and the difference would be about 3 days which could affect plans if you hope to return to Schengen 90 days later…
Yes, I’m certain and confirmed with a call to a German embassy in Turkey and this Swiss embassy site also confirms it is 180 days, not 6 months.
http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps/nameri/vusa/ref_visinf/visusa.html#ContentPar_0020
I’ve also seen both terms used (also “half year”) but specifically it is 180 days as a general rule. (It could vary for some nationalities.) This all said, always double check with the appropriate embassy if you’ll be anywhere near the 90 days.
Thanks for the clarification!
2 stories to support your choice of spain
and one question
I personally know two americans who over stayed, both left through spain, first one had a transit in Germany (don’t ask why) and thats where he got caught. The other one with a direct flight (120 days in europe) didn’t have any problems
Now my question is, as an Egyptian, I need to pre-apply for a visa at a specific embassy, lets say Spain, do I have to land in and leave through Spain? coz some people told me that and if so it could alter alot of plans… Hope you have an answer
I’ve noticed and heard German passport control carefully scrutinizing passport stamps on each entry and exit, but not surprising from a people who are particular about details
To your question, the short answer is no – it doesn’t matter where you exit the Schengen as a general rule, but your first point of entry does. Now, that could easily vary as an Egyptian citizen as Egypt may have other agreements with various Schengen countries. The absolute best way to be sure is to call the Spanish embassy since they will be issuing your Schengen visa.
Hope that helps!
btw, sounds like some fun plans coming up
The Schengen rules forced my wife and I out of Europe early the last time we visited. 90 days out of 180 is insane, but such is life.
Even in Thailand, land border crossings only give you a 15 day extension on your visa.
I wonder how long it will take to the world to understand that digital nomads are a large and growing group that actually bring in money to a region.
Unfortunately to a degree, I think that many countries worry about it rather than hope for it; much to the detriment of their economies.
Let’s see. That means if they get up to 30 countries in the Schengen group,those of us who want to visit all of Europe would essentially get to spend 3.333 days in each country. Seems to me that the Schengen Agreement would tend to water down the revenues that each country would be able to realize from tourism, even if the overall tourism numbers increase.
Very true for many of the countries in the Schengen, with the exception of many eastern border states. I was surprised to learn that Poland, once worried about Schengen rules diminishing their tourism, is now making seeing 4% more annually. Mostly due to Russians, who seem to file for Schengen visas through Poland as a majority.
Its lucky being in the Eu I can live, travel, study and work as long as I want. Really amazing and extremely lucky to have so much at my finger tips, Just wish others could see it that way compared to the hassle allot of others have such as US citizens for example with all the visa hassle. can just hop on a Eurostar to paris in 45 minutes from London any time i want to. Gotta love europe and being European,
The economist just covered this last week, I took a picture of the article and there is an audio clip bout it, should check it out it was rather good.
Sorry sounded like I was tooting my own horn just then, I just wish more Europeans saw it that way this blog really helps to understand the hassle of tourists coming for longer stay trips, its something the EU keeps to them selfs but its important to make it as easy as possible or more and more people will seek to go to alternative destinations. But good for Turkey! I hope they get a boost from it, got a better currency and visiting regulations, seems more tourist friendly to me.
It’s understandable and as an EU citizen I think you’ve got a great advantage and opportunity in terms of the Schengen Area. Even a broad change like 180 days out of every 365 in the Schengen would be a nice step as you could spend a little under a week in each country if you went through every one. (Not that hardly anyone would.)
I guess when things are going well, there’s little incentive to improve them; plus getting member states to agree on much isn’t easy
I just looked for the Economist article and couldn’t find it but will keep an eye out with a Google Alert
Great article — I too have read a lot about this. Quick question – you mentioned that you can apply for a “long stay visa” – any idea how often this visa is approved?
Thank you Vicky. I don’t have any concrete numbers on approval rates; although it does vary by country and circumstance.
This has been a big pain in the ass for me lately – and it was made more confusing when I actually tried to do the right thing and call the Spainish embassy in NYC about it. I am traveling in Europe for over 3 months this spring – but I’m finishing in Spain – so I called them to see what my options were for getting a special visa to stay longer since my 3 months will run out while I’m doing the Camino deSantiago trail in Spain. The guy insisted that I didn’t need to do a thing. He tried to tell me that I would have 3 months in Spain – not 3 months in the Schengen Zone. So even the people working at the embassies of those countries don’t even have their story straight.
Regarding the long stay visas – does it have to be in the first country that you visit? For me that is Malta. Or should I keep pursuing the Spain embassy to get an extension since that’s my last country. Any advice is appreciated!
I’m surprised they would get it wrong! Like you say, I think even the Europeans are confused about it as there is the EU, EEC, Schengen, it’s hard to keep up!
Here’s a link confirming Spain’s Schengen rules for US citizens:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1024.html#entry_requirements
As for the long-stay visa, it is recommended that you apply to the country you will spend the most number of days in within the Schengen. (The Swiss and Finns – to a lesser extent the Germans – have a very straightforward application procedures if it happens to be in any of those countries. Keep in mind it may take up to 6 weeks.) Good luck!
I’m currently in the Schengen Area on a student visa. Do you know if I have to leave as soon as that expires? Or do I get 90 days out of the next 180 to do some traveling?
It depends on where you are from (i.e. citizenship) and where you are residing on your student visa. Call the embassy that issues the documentation, they’ll know for sure.