Comments on: What Is The Schengen Zone And How Do Schengen Area Visas Work?

By: Anil Polat

Anil Polat — Mon, 02 May 2016 14:07:07 +0000

In reply to Liza.

Answering your questions inline below:

First of all, just to confirm, as an Australian, I do not need to apply for a Schengen visa at all or obtain a physical pass or visa to travel the Schengen area if I plan to follow the 90 days per 180 day rule? I just enter the area and show my passport when asked upon any entry/exit? << http://smartraveller.gov.au/bulletins/europe_schengen

How to calculate number of days left on multiple entry/exit:

http://foxnomad.com/2014/09/16/properly-calculate-number-days-left-schengen-visa/

Hope this helps!

By: Anil Polat

Anil Polat — Mon, 02 May 2016 12:51:15 +0000

In reply to KE Hoffman.

I can’t tell you with certainty, it’s best to keep on top of the embassy or office that issued the visa. My guess would be it’s a set 12 months but don’t take my word for it. Good luck – hope it works out for your vacation plans!

By: Liza

Liza — Sun, 01 May 2016 21:32:34 +0000

I know this has probably been asked but I am still having a hell of a time wrapping my head around the Schengen laws and do not want to encounter any trouble while travelling Europe.

So my understanding is this, please let me know if this correct;
So from your point of entry into the Schengen Zone, your 180 days begin.
Meaning, you could potentially spend 90 days straight in the Schengen countries, and then you have to leave the Schengen area for the remaining 90 days. At which point a new 180 days begins, and you could potentially come back to the Schengen zone for another 90 days straight.

Alternatively, you arrive in the Schengen area and your 180 days begins.
You can spend 2 weeks in, a month out, 4 weeks in, a month out, another 6 weeks in in this fashion as long as within 180 days from original entry, only 90 of them are spent INSIDE the Schengen zone. And after that 180 days is up, a new one begins and you could potentially restart the process.

Is that pretty much it??

I guess what I am asking is; is it upon your entry when they begin the “180 day” time?
Or is it every time you come in and out they restart some kind of counter and count it in a different fasion??

Again sorry to ask a question that has probably been explained, I am just more confused by the exact time constraints and how they count it.

By: KE Hoffman

KE Hoffman — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 18:44:17 +0000

Hi Anil,
This post and comments are so helpful. But I’m still not finding an answer to my Q and the French Consulate in Chicago will not email or phone me back. Q is the following:
I will be on a long-stay visa next year for a sabbatical year (=work) in Lyon that starts late Aug. But I would also like to take my family to FR this summer, and stay next summer, meaning over 12 mos. total. Can I take the family for 6 weeks this summer, return for a week to Chicago, then return for 12 mos. with the long-term visa I will be getting? Or is there a 12 mos. rule total? (The summer would be under 90 days tourist). And if so, can I get the visa before leaving in July for the first trip? I fear that if I get the visa in our passports in June, customs will stamp the year begin date when we arrive in July, and we will be forced to leave for the US July 2017 rather than staying through August.

Do you know how this works?

Thanks if you can help!

By: Anil Polat

Anil Polat — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 17:46:01 +0000

In reply to Simone. Your days cannot restart if you're in Europe.