8 Years in the Med?

[Doodles]

I thought there were strict visa problems (6 months in then 6 months away) with Americans spending this much time in the Med. How do you think they did this or am I wrong?

Best Places to a Retire: A Sailboat and the Open Sea - WSJ.com

[savoir]

They admit to spending long stretches in Croatia and Turkey. That would certainly help.

[Palarran]

I think it is only 90 days, not 6 months, before you have to leave. And it may be that then you have to wait 6 months before re-entry. If you are coming and going, they may not add up all the days.

I arrived in Horta around May 17 and left Greece on August 22nd. The passport control officer stood and added up my time and asked about it. I said that we cleared out of the Azores and cleared back into Malaga, Spain 8 days later which made me under the 90 days. He let me pass but they are checking.

Good article though.

[skipmac]

Reading their blog, one paragraph mentions leaving Croatia to winter in Venice. They say " Our plans for a quick visit eventually stretched into a seven-month stay." That seems just a bit more than allowed by Schengen.

Like to know how they did it myself.

[sailorboy1]

maybe they imported the boat

[avb3]

Very nice article from the Wall Street Journal on a retired couple's 8 years of cruising.

Best Places to a Retire: A Sailboat and the Open Sea - WSJ.com

[Paul L]

How could they have possibly done this trip safely on one of those new fangled light weight boats? A J42.

[Doodles]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

maybe they imported the boat

What would that do for them? The visa applies to the individual not the boat, right?

[maxingout]

Nice article.

Cruising has changed a lot over the past twenty years, and many of the classic cruising destinations are overflowing with cruising yachts and charterers.

You have to go farther afield to find the classic cruising experience - the deserted bay and the quiet anchorage.

Times are a changing.

[Richard5]

This is like Surfer magazine publishing the best surf spots. No longer a secret. The one saving grace is most won't take the trouble to find out. Of those that do, most won't leave for far off grounds. Still, the number of those who do is increasing. Thank God the oceans are plenty big.

[Richard5]

Dr. Dave, I highly enjoy your Postive Thinking Sailor page. Thank you.

[TacomaSailor]

My best friends have been in the Med since 2004. They have lived for more than a year in Spain, Italy, Turkey, and Sicily. Martin is a retired Coast Guard officer and pretty good at reading complex rules and regulations.

They move the boat from country to country as necessary and they visit different countries without the boat in order to meet visa requirements.

For example they spent three years, off and on, in Marmaris, Turkey and visited Greece as necessary to meet or avoid various regulations. They loved Marmaris and Turkey and sure made a compelling case for cruising in Turkey and the Agean Sea.

They have not had to pay VAT.

It can be done without too much difficulty if you study the rules.

They have also visited France, Albania, Morroco, Malta, Cyprus, Greece with the boat.

They have been full time cruisers since spring 1998 when they left Puget Sound for Mexico in their 45 year old Columbia 38 Yawl. They have no plans to return to the US with their boat - but do visit once a year or so.

[Sindbad]

For Americans the maximum stay in the Schengen countries is 90 days within 6 months. Countries like Turkey, Cyprus, Tunisia, Albania, Morroco etc. are not Schengen countries and have their own visa regulations. It needs some planning, but full-time cruising in the Med should be possible, but I would not like to be there during winter.
The boat can be kept in the EU countries, such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece, for 18 months without paying VAT. If it is not in use, e.g. on the hard, and evidence can be provided, this period can be extended by additional 6 months.
The duration how long the crew and the boat are staying are two totally different issues. Check out noonsite for detailed information.
Cheers
Thomas

[Doodles]

I started this thread earlier about the article. Maybe someone here can answer the question.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1104375

[SunDevil]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Reading their blog, one paragraph mentions leaving Croatia to winter in Venice. They say " Our plans for a quick visit eventually stretched into a seven-month stay." That seems just a bit more than allowed by Schengen.

Like to know how they did it myself.

The article says they flew back to the US for Christmas. I would guess for a month.

I'm trying to think in my head if I could spend 8 years in the Med. I would love to spend 3-5 years, but there would be enough stuff to do for 8 years if you took it slow and did a few things more than once.