Travel to the EU after January 1st

I found out something recently that I'd never properly understood before. I know the UK has never been part of Schengen but I hadn't realised that we've never been allowed to stay/travel within Schengen countries for more than 90 days in 180 without applying for a Schengen Visa to extend things. I can only assume the EU has turned a blind eye to this in the past for some reason but legally, nothing much has actually changed on this aspect. Given everything that's been said on the forum in recent years, I was honestly surprised to learn this and even googled further to make sure it was true! I find it sort of comforting to be honest - not sure why.

Anyhoo, back to now... it sounds as though most of the EU residents who have been stuck here for the best part of a week since France closed its boders to the UK have now been able to cross, with negative COVID tests clutched in their mitts. Their families will be so relieved, bless 'em. I can't imagine what it must have been like for the many thousands who were trapped in freezing southern ports... most stuck in their trucks for Christmas :cry: Thank goodness there were lots of kind souls and charities distributing food and drinks to the stranded truckers and charging their phones, etc. I know lots of people feel very differently for many good reasons but nothing in this world would induce me to head across the channel until all the day to day uncertainty, changeability and worry about the pandemic is over. Roll on vaccine day! 😊
 
Minisorella said:
I found out something recently that I'd never properly understood before. I know the UK has never been part of Schengen but I hadn't realised that we've never been allowed to stay/travel within Schengen countries for more than 90 days in 180 without applying for a Schengen Visa to extend things. I can only assume the EU has turned a blind eye to this in the past for some reason but legally, nothing much has actually changed on this aspect. Given everything that's been said on the forum in recent years, I was honestly surprised to learn this and even googled further to make sure it was true! I find it sort of comforting to be honest - not sure why.

Anyhoo, back to now... it sounds as though most of the EU residents who have been stuck here for the best part of a week since France closed its boders to the UK have now been able to cross, with negative COVID tests clutched in their mitts. Their families will be so relieved, bless 'em. I can't imagine what it must have been like for the many thousands who were trapped in freezing southern ports... most stuck in their trucks for Christmas :cry: Thank goodness there were lots of kind souls and charities distributing food and drinks to the stranded truckers and charging their phones, etc. I know lots of people feel very differently for many good reasons but nothing in this world would induce me to head across the channel until all the day to day uncertainty, changeability and worry about the pandemic is over. Roll on vaccine day! 😊
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You have been misled by Google. The error is probably We are not really in schengen at the moment but in the last days of transition.
The UK WAS in the Schengen area and a full member of the EU until last January, and nothing will change regarding free movement for another few days.
Found by me on google:
"People also ask
When did UK leave Schengen?
January 31st, 2020
The UK left the EU on January 31st, 2020 with a Withdrawal Agreement signed between the 2 parties on January 30th, 2020. An 11-month transition period began at midnight (CET) on the 31st, during which time trade and travel will continue as before.26 Oct 2020"

That is why we had no trouble with access, no turning of blind eyes, just legislation.
 
Derekoak said:
You have been misled by Google. The error is probably We are not really in schengen at the moment but in the last days of transition.
The UK WAS in the Schengen area and a full member of the EU until last January, and nothing will change regarding free movement for another few days.
Found by me on google:
"People also ask
When did UK leave Schengen?
January 31st, 2020
The UK left the EU on January 31st, 2020 with a Withdrawal Agreement signed between the 2 parties on January 30th, 2020. An 11-month transition period began at midnight (CET) on the 31st, during which time trade and travel will continue as before.26 Oct 2020"

That is why we had no trouble with access, no turning of blind eyes, just legislation.
Click to expand...

No, not misled...
www.schengenvisainfo.com

Schengen Area - The 27 Member Countries of the Schengen Zone

A list of 27 countries makes for a Schengen region which allows its citizens free movement in and out of the Schengen Area.
www.schengenvisainfo.com www.schengenvisainfo.com

www.bbc.co.uk

Schengen: Controversial EU free movement deal explained

The Schengen Agreement enables border-free travel in much of the EU, as the BBC's Laurence Peter explains.
www.bbc.co.uk
 
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@Minisorella yes to find your error actually read my text! We are not in schengen now, we are in transition! We were though! Do not ask Google who is in schengen? ask who was in schengen last year?
 
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I think Schengen travel and EU free movement are 2 different things. We were never in Schengen but were in EU which gave us free movement. Now we will be out of both so 90 day rule applies. I think if you look at Norway who are in schengen but not full EU members. They can stay for more than 90 days under Schengen rules and don't need full EU free movements. Might solve some travel problems on here but can't see the Brexiterz liking it because it would open up our borders to other schengen countries.
Should GB apply for Schengen?
 
I was not correct. I asked google "when did the uk leave schengen" and believed the result. What Jacqui says must be true we had access to the schegen area as of right through EU membership.
I was correct in "no turning of blind eye" but legislation though
 
I noted in that sort out that Ireland is not in Schengen . Does that mean Ireland is not in the 90 in 180 rule?
 
Derekoak said:
I noted in that sort out that Ireland is not in Schengen . Does that mean Ireland is not in the 90 in 180 rule?
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Good question, just found this


What is the Common Travel Area between Ireland and UK?
There is an arrangement between the UK and Ireland called the Common Travel Area. The CTA is a long-standing arrangement between the UK and Ireland that has its origins in the 1920s, long before either the UK or Ireland joined the EU . The Common Travel Area (CTA) allows British and Irish citizens to move freely between the two countries.

Still another arrangement but looks like you could move freely between uk and southern ireland ?
 
Derekoak said:
The 90 days is from entry to the schengen area to exit, a few days in Morocco just gives the same few days spare. Because 90 in any 180 days
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So does that mean I can have 90 days + what ever time I spend in Moroco enter france then leave 100 days later without getting a fine for over staying by 10 days
 
witzend said:
So does that mean I can have 90 days + what ever time I spend in Moroco enter france then leave 100 days later without getting a fine for over staying by 10 days
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I think (?) that you can only spend max of 90 days in 180 and then must have 90 out of 180 outside schengen. Not sure if they measure down to the hour but getting too complicated for my poor brain. Also if thinking about Morocco and have a dog check out requirements for pet travel between Spain and Morocco. Sorry my head is hurting!
 
If you haven't already done so, then bookmark 'Schengen calculator', you can enter dates and see how many days.
Don't forget if you decide on a 90 day stay in winter, say Dec, Jan, and Feb, then you can't go back until June.
 
witzend said:
So does that mean I can have 90 days + what ever time I spend in Morocco enter France then leave 100 days later without getting a fine for over staying by 10 days
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90 in 180 is a rolling calculation so the 180 starts on the day of entry into France , you then need to look at how many days you have spent so if 90 days , then you leave into Morocco, 10 days in Morocco and need to not re enter EU for 80 days .
 
I think as regarding the rules of Schengen and free movement within the EU if you are a member the 90 days was I believe per country not for the entire Schengen area. I think it also "legally" applies to all member states. As a member you are not supposed to stay in "one" country for more than 90 days at a time without registering but you can I believe still travel around other countries or hop in and out to reset the clock. I guess it was a rule member states took no notice of unless it was ever perhaps needed to get shot of an undesirable migrant from within the union. The same rules applied to us as EU members.

Now of course its a different kettle of fish and 90 days in your 180 in all of Schengen is your limit so completely different to what we had before and they really do come down hard on people who break the rules.

As for Dodging in and out of Schengen it is dooable I reckon to extend the trip. You could do 45 days in Spain, 45 days in Morocco (or longer) then another 45 in Spain or France say. you could also do this with a summer trip and maybe include somewhere like Croatia.
 
Or if you really want to spend more than 90 days in a row in Spain just get a Visa!!
Surely no more expensive than a return ferry ride or two?
 
Markd said:
Or if you really want to spend more than 90 days in a row in Spain just get a Visa!!
Surely no more expensive than a return ferry ride or two?
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I dont think its that easy. You have to have a permanent address for a kick off I believe. Doubt a motorhome on a campsite will do.
 
Europe and EU are as we know NOT exactly the same.
Schengen countries different again..(Switzerland and Norway to name 2 with differing status)
As EU citizens "Freedom of movement" overode Schengen..Hence no 90 day limit etc
Despite the recent deal on 1st January EU rules do not apply to UK citizens
AND Schengen rules apply. Those UK citizens with residency status in any Schengen Country have no limit.
My suggestion of Romania Albania etc were intended to extend a 3 month summer trip
Even Southern Turkey is cold and others are very cold .
Morocco is not too cold and mainly sunny and dry ..so say 1 month would allow a 4 month trip to mainly Spain.
Suggestions for extra either a Schengen extended visa or "fiddling residence" (say on a campsite in Spain or Portugal) are in my opinion unviable for most.
I doubt that any countries will either break ranks or turn blind eyes
Whether in summer or winter extended stays in any of the non Schengen countries are not really desirable (again IMO only)
 
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If you chance it and over 90 days out of country whether you try and manipulate the system or not - plod stops you - could your van get confiscated - and you get escorted to the next available flight back home - all speculation still until next year when all will be known + some unforseen problems i expect
 
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