Beating Schengen. Bosnia & Herzegovina

[barryd]

Not according to Michel Barnier's Diary of the ****** Negotiations ... He says that it was expected that UK would accept the same terms for both EU & UK visitors, and this was consistent with the 'level playing field'/no attempt to distort the relationship to gain sn unfair competitive advantage.

Farage has been ever present as a perceived threat, irrespective of whether he was actually in a position of influence.

So I will agree to differ ...

Steve

I trying hard to keep out of this but biting my lip is getting painful now. I remember that. The mood at the time from Johnson was it all smacked of Freedom of movement which of course the Brexfast faithful hated. I agree with Sydwal though, I formal offer of 180 days was not made but Barnier most certainly hinted that it could be. Johnson and his team didn't want to know. I believe they did turn down an offer for musicians.

Anyway all I know is its fucked up my trip plans for the foreseeable but maybe we stick to how we can get me across Europe for five months without getting locked up or banned from coming back.

 

[Sydwal]

Not according to Michel Barnier's Diary of the ****** Negotiations ... He says that it was expected that UK would accept the same terms for both EU & UK visitors, and this was consistent with the 'level playing field'/no attempt to distort the relationship to gain sn unfair competitive advantage.

Farage has been ever present as a perceived threat, irrespective of whether he was actually in a position of influence.

So I will agree to differ ...

Steve

Ooh I see. That's interesting. I looked this up. Firstly you use the words 'It was expected the UK would accept...' Does that mean such an offer was made? I'd be amazed if was because the EU's stance has always been to treat the UK the same way that third countries are treated. Like I said, this is probably not unreasonable from their point of view.

In any event my research came up with this extract:

"Reviews and commentary on My Secret ****** Diary (Barnier’s account) do not report any disclosure that the EU offered a special 180-day reciprocal visa-free deal for UK citizens in the course of the negotiations. Rather, his account focuses broadly on how negotiations unfolded and why the UK ended up with the arrangements that were agreed, and emphasises EU unity and negotiation dynamics — not a novel mobility deal that took the UK outside normal Schengen rules."

Saying such a deal was offered makes no sense at it would defy EU positions on Schengen, and furthermore to say this was turned down because of Farage is patently wrong and takes a bit of mental gymnastics. Again, makes no sense. Perhaps that's just me.

Like you say, let's agree to differ.

 

[Sydwal]

Thanks. I think the Montenegro coast would be a bad idea in August. It will be stacked and too hot I would think. The idea is to explore the mountains but its early days yet. I am at the moment so far pretty ignorant of the entire region so its just a fact finding exercise for now. Mountains are our thing and the entire trip will be based around that. However, that said I gather the coast of Croatia is fabulous so it would make sense after August to head back into Schengen that way and then back through Slovenia and back into the Alps.

Hey Barry - I've watched some decent vanlife tours of Montenegro on YT and some include the mountains. Maybe you should take a look.

 

[Boris7]

Sydwal.

If you go into the EU and then travel beyond its borders to negate the 90 day limit you’ll be fine.

BUT AND ITS A BIG BUT

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE YOU GET AN EXIT STAMP WHEN LEAVING THE EU

AND IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBLY TO ENSURE YOU GET AN ENTRY STAMP WHEN RE-ENTERING THE EU

AND IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET AN EXIT STAMP WHEN RETURNING TO THE UK.

We used to have this issue on several borders, Spain / Morocco was hard work once you had a number of stamps, Poland / Russia was the same and don’t even get me started on Moldova.

JUST DON’T accept a simple wave through at the border, if the won’t process you with a stamp or an electronic voucher AND A PRINT OUT JUST DONT MOVE ON.

Stand your ground and insist

 

[Sydwal]

Sydwal.

If you go into the EU and then travel beyond its borders to negate the 90 day limit you’ll be fine.

BUT AND ITS A BIG BUT

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE YOU GET AN EXIT STAMP WHEN LEAVING THE EU

AND IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBLY TO ENSURE YOU GET AN ENTRY STAMP WHEN RE-ENTERING THE EU

AND IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET AN EXIT STAMP WHEN RETURNING TO THE UK.

We used to have this issue on several borders, Spain / Morocco was hard work once you had a number of stamps, Poland / Russia was the same and don’t even get me started on Moldova.

JUST DON’T accept a simple wave through at the border, if the won’t process you with a stamp or an electronic voucher AND A PRINT OUT JUST DONT MOVE ON.

Stand your ground and insist

Thanks Boris - Ill watch out for that.

 

[barryd]

Hey Barry - I've watched some decent vanlife tours of Montenegro on YT and some include the mountains. Maybe you should take a look.

Cheers. I never even considered it until today. Someone elsewhere said try Morocco which I laughed at as it would be hotter than hell there in August and a thousand miles from the Alps and then they said what about the Atlas mountains? Great idea but still too far which got me thinking, which countries are still outside Schengen that have mountains and thats what brought me to Bosnia etc. I've been to Slovenia before and the Triglav Alps and its only a few hours from there to Bosnia so the obvious choice. Lots of winter video searching etc to do.

 

[Boris7]

Montenegro is lovely, Budva is a special place.

If you got via Croatia Novi vinodolski is not to be missed.

 

[Geek]

Unlike entering and leaving Israel, the last thing you want is their stamp on your passport!!

My brother used to have two passports to get round this sort of thing, though I forget which countries he was hiding stamps for. Doubt it was Israel.

 

[r4dent]

I think you can if I have worked it out right. This is just an example but a loose fit around what I was thinking.

Schengen leg 1: 1 June → 25 July (55 days).
Non-Schengen (Enter Bosnia and Leave Schengen): 26 July → 31 August in Bosnia and maybe Montenegro (37 days).
Schengen leg 2: 1 September → 30 September (30 days).
Schengen days used: 55 + 30 = 85 days (still under 90). 5 days to get home from the Alps.

I think it should work as long as I am stamped out of Croatia and into Bosnia and stamped back in again. I think the new EES system will be in by then but whether its up and running on the Bosnia border I have no idea.

Have a great trip.

Two things to take into account when you do the final sums.
a) You leave Schengen and enter Non- Schengen (and vice versa) on the same day, and a part day is counted as a day in Schengen.
or to put it another way ' per day or per part of per day' (apologies to Stanley Holloway).
So 5 "spare" days is pushing the envelope.

b) any Schengen days in the 54 prior to leaving the UK for the first time will be part of the 90 limit.

 

[barryd]

Have a great trip.

Two things to take into account when you do the final sums.
a) You leave Schengen and enter Non- Schengen (and vice versa) on the same day, and a part day is counted as a day in Schengen.
or to put it another way ' per day or per part of per day' (apologies to Stanley Holloway).
So 5 "spare" days is pushing the envelope.
View attachment 148398


b) any Schengen days in the 54 prior to leaving the UK for the first time will be part of the 90 limit.

Thanks. They were just rough calculations to prove the "mission" was possible. I think it is but i'll take that into account when working it out properly should the trip come off.

 

[TJBi]

Thanks. They were just rough calculations to prove the "mission" was possible. I think it is but i'll take that into account when working it out properly should the trip come off.

When working it out, whether properly or not: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/border-crossing/short-stay-calculator_en

 

[barryd]

When working it out, whether properly or not: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/border-crossing/short-stay-calculator_en

Thanks. I can't work out how to put my figures into that. However the dates I posted work I think as long as you take into account like you said the final day in Schengen.

 

[barryd]

Another obstacle to get around is bike insurance (Scooter). All of them seem to be 90 days now. I am informed Bikesure do bespoke policies over 90 days so I have contacted them. Anyone know of any others?

 

[TJBi]

Thanks. I can't work out how to put my figures into that. However the dates I posted work I think as long as you take into account like you said the final day in Schengen.

RTFM

Select Planning mode.
Date of Entry/Control will be the last of the dates (dd/mm/yy) on which you expect to enter Schengen zone (say 01/09/26).
Enter your previous intended stays (dd/mm/yy); if more than one, use the Add More button. Depending on screen resolution, you may need to scroll down to find the Calculate button.

When things are tight, a difference of a single day can have a major impact. For example, after a stay of say 59 days approximately 3 months before the next trip, a difference of one day in the intended date of entry for the second trip can result in a change from say 31 days being authorised to 90 days being authorised.

 

[barryd]

RTFM

Select Planning mode.
Date of Entry/Control will be the last of the dates (dd/mm/yy) on which you expect to enter Schengen zone (say 01/09/26).
Enter your previous intended stays (dd/mm/yy); if more than one, use the Add More button. Depending on screen resolution, you may need to scroll down to find the Calculate button.
View attachment 148400
When things are tight, a difference of a single day can have a major impact. For example, after a stay of say 59 days approximately 3 months before the next trip, a difference of one day in the intended date of entry for the second trip can result in a change from say 31 days being authorised to 90 days being authorised.

Can't get it to work but I see no point in it anyway. The calculations I did earlier are way easier and pretty straight forward.

 

[YeoBlade]

RTFM

Select Planning mode.
Date of Entry/Control will be the last of the dates (dd/mm/yy) on which you expect to enter Schengen zone (say 01/09/26).
Enter your previous intended stays (dd/mm/yy); if more than one, use the Add More button. Depending on screen resolution, you may need to scroll down to find the Calculate button.
View attachment 148400
When things are tight, a difference of a single day can have a major impact. For example, after a stay of say 59 days approximately 3 months before the next trip, a difference of one day in the intended date of entry for the second trip can result in a change from say 31 days being authorised to 90 days being authorised.

As the 90/180 is constantly rolling how can it doesn't change the actual days possible to stay?