Extend Schengen Area time to 180 days

[barryd]

I'd like to think you are right but I won't hold my breathe

I wonder if there would be any mileage in writing to someone in authority or maybe a Brit friendly MEP. Perhaps create an online group. There must be plenty of full timers wondering where they are going to spend their time touring. Im a member on the CC Infos forum. Could maybe start there although its hard work. Its not urgent for me really anyway as even if we are allowed out to play I wont be going far this year.

 

[John H]

I wonder if there would be any mileage in writing to someone in authority or maybe a Brit friendly MEP. Perhaps create an online group. There must be plenty of full timers wondering where they are going to spend their time touring. Im a member on the CC Infos forum. Could maybe start there although its hard work. Its not urgent for me really anyway as even if we are allowed out to play I wont be going far this year.

In the past, I have, along with many others, e-mailed Guy Verhofstadt, who is very sympathetic but the problem is that it is not a matter that the majority of MEPs care about, so he has an uphill battle. Couldn't do any harm to contact him again though.

 

[barryd]

In the past, I have, along with many others, e-mailed Guy Verhofstadt, who is very sympathetic but the problem is that it is not a matter that the majority of MEPs care about, so he has an uphill battle. Couldn't do any harm to contact him again though.

He loves us Brits. There was also Charles Goerens who I seem to remember was also fighting for UK citizens to keep their citizenship but as far as I know its not got anywhere. I would have happily paid a fee for that.

MEP puts forward plan for EU citizenship for Britons

MEP Charles Goerens wants a new kind of EU citizenship for Britons who value being Europeans.

www.connexionfrance.com

 

[witzend]

I can't quite see how 180 x 180 will be better if we stay away for 180 days then we'd have to wait 180 days before going back ? may do anyone who wants a long winter stay with no intentions of any thing else but but I think 90days march april & may being home june, july & aug then have another trip sept oct & nov might serve us better

 

[barryd]

I can't quite see how 180 x 180 will be better if we stay away for 180 days then we'd have to wait 180 days before going back ? may do anyone who wants a long winter stay with no intentions of any thing else but but I think 90days march april & may being home june, july & aug then have another trip sept oct & nov might serve us better

Why would the gap in between be 180 days? Might only be 90. Either way for me personally or someone maybe doing a long tour once a year 180 days would suit me better. 90 days in Im just getting going!

Anyway, I doubt it will change. Unless its offered by the EU on their own our government wont push for it.

 

[jagmanx]

I like posts 59 and 60.
As barryd suggests £1000 is a good estimate of spending.

 

[antiquesam]

They say the world loves an optimist so they, must love a lot of British motorhomers but I'm pretty sure it won't get them anywhere when it comes to having a European Treaty changed.

 

[witzend]

Why would the gap in between be 180 days?

I'm assuming as mentioned earlier that it would be a reciprocal arrangement like the French have with us isn't that what they are allowed when coming to UK ?

 

[antiquesam]

I'm assuming as mentioned earlier that it would be a reciprocal arrangement like the French have with us isn't that what they are allowed when coming to UK ?

The French cannot defy the Schengen Agreement. It must be a unanimous decision to change. We have permitted European citizens to stay in the UK longer but that was our decision for our benefit.

 

[barryd]

I'm assuming as mentioned earlier that it would be a reciprocal arrangement like the French have with us isn't that what they are allowed when coming to UK ?

Seems as clear as mud. This was written during the transition period so I guess it depends if anything has changed or not. I am not sure it has. If reading this correctly a none visa visitor from France can come and stay six months, clear off and then just come back again (I think).

Sounds like even the immigration officials (according to that article) are not always sure.

There is no 180 day a year rule for visitors to the UK - Free Movement

One of the most common UK immigration myths is that there is a maximum permitted stay of 180 days in a year (or six months in 12 months) for UK visitors.

www.freemovement.org.uk

 

[antiquesam]

Seems as clear as mud. This was written during the transition period so I guess it depends if anything has changed or not. I am not sure it has. If reading this correctly a none visa visitor from France can come and stay six months, clear off and then just come back again (I think).

Sounds like even the immigration officials (according to that article) are not always sure.

There is no 180 day a year rule for visitors to the UK - Free Movement

One of the most common UK immigration myths is that there is a maximum permitted stay of 180 days in a year (or six months in 12 months) for UK visitors.

www.freemovement.org.uk

Surely this is only of interest if you were a European wishing to stay in the UK. There are many inconsistencies in what can cross the Channel, of which this is just one.

 

[Kontiki]

I did see somewhere that the 90 day limit also applies to expats even if they have residency in that they can stay indefinitely in the country where they have residency but travelling to other schengen area countries then counts towards the 90 in 180 days. This I think would be difficult for them to find out unless you are working if you are just travelling how would they know.
As for getting the schengen rules changed good luck with that, my days of long stays are probably over so 90 days works fine for me I just feel sorry for the newly retired who could just travel through europe at will.

 

[barryd]

Surely this is only of interest if you were a European wishing to stay in the UK. There are many inconsistencies in what can cross the Channel, of which this is just one.

I was trying to discover the differences after discussing with Witzend whether or not after six months the Europeans have to stay out of the UK for 180 days or not. As said its as clear as mud. It seems though the Europeans have a much better deal for access to the UK than we have for access to Europe.

The simple answer would just be to just allow freedom of movement across the UK and Europe for all Europeans for tourist travel or maybe education with controls in place for work purposes providing you can prove you are self sufficient and not likely to become a burden on the state. It wont happen though. Not enough interest.

 

[witzend]

I was trying to discover the differences after discussing with Witzend whether or not after six months the Europeans have to stay out of the UK for 180 days or not. As said its as clear as mud. It seems though the Europeans have a much better deal for access to the UK than we have for access to Europe.

Thats the question Barry 6 mths away is ok but 6 mths before return isn't much good so we need to be careful what we wish for

 

[colinm]

I would say 180 days per 360 gives a bit more flexibility than 90 in 180, but whatever it's hardly likely to change.

 

[Colinc]

The French cannot defy the Schengen Agreement. It must be a unanimous decision to change. We have permitted European citizens to stay in the UK longer but that was our decision for our benefit.

Any Schengen country, France included, can set their own visa rules and allow extended stays. That does not require a treaty change it is already permitted. They can only set rules for their own country. Some already do. Many are going to make such visa easier for Brits to apply for. So these petitions are worth while - although getting tourist and retired person monies may be a bigger motivator.

 

[antiquesam]

Any Schengen country, France included, can set their own visa rules and allow extended stays. That does not require a treaty change it is already permitted. They can only set rules for their own country. Some already do. Many are going to make such visa easier for Brits to apply for. So these petitions are worth while - although getting tourist and retired person monies may be a bigger motivator.

Having read a lot of pieces on-line I wish you luck on this one.

 

[PatsyE1956]

Hi,

I just started the petition "Extend 90 day schengen area stay" and wanted to ask if you could add your name too.

This campaign means a lot to me and the more support we can get behind it, the better chance we have of succeeding. You can read more and sign the petition here:

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petiti...39-494b-842a-9f3279d57d8b&source=&utm_source=

Thank you!



P.S. Can you also take a moment to share the petition with others? It's really easy – all you need to do is forward this email or share this link on Facebook or Twitter:

 

[PatsyE1956]

Signed and shared. Keeping fingers crossed.

 

[Glass man]

Do contact tourist authorities in other countries for support.
I'm sure the Algarve and Southern Spanish areas would support a proposal for long winter stays.