Aussies bringing yacht to Med needing advice/local knowledge

[GoneDiving]

Originally Posted by spiv

True, earlier on, you needed to transfer into an a/c with an IBAN (friend/family/retailer), but now they issue a Platinum Debit Mastercard that you can use for payments and withdrawals and the rates are MUCH cheaper than any bank.

Many Thanks. I routinely use TW into foreign accounts but was unaware of their Debit Card. It's something I will actively follow up upon and would encourage the OP to do so as well (rather than a brick's and mortar bank Travel Card).

[SteveSadler]

We spent 4 months each season for 2 years and noone gave a hoot when we flew home.
I have heard there is a fine if someone cares but few countries enforce the rule. I'd do some homework on which countries care ( germany, france) and avoid departures there.
Of course be legal and respect the laws if possible, but I've met scores of non EU's that just never leave.

[Montanan]

References:


http://http://www.euro-dollar-curren...engen_visa.htm

http://http://www.euro-dollar-curren..._insurance.htm

Schengen visa categories

Schengen visa comes in several Schengen visa categories based on the purpose of your travel or stay. Depending on what you state in your Schengen visa application, and what type of visa you request, you will get your Schengen visa in one of the following categories: A, B, C, D, D+C.

The category of your visa will be written on your Schengen visa on the "TYPE OF VISA" line in your passport. See the Schengen visa image on the following page for illustration where you can find this.

Schengen visa categories
Schengen visa is available in the following five categories:

Schengen visa Category A refers to an airport transit visa. Schengen visa category A is required for a few nationals for passing through the international transit area of airports during a stop-over or transfer between two sections of an international flight. The requirement to have this Schengen visa category A is an exception to the general right to transit without a visa through an international transit area of an airport.

Schengen visa Category B is a transit visa. Schengen visa category B is required by nationals who are not allowed to travel visa-free for travelling from one non-Schengen country to another non-Schengen country. The Schengen visa category B is for passing through the Schengen area. Each transit may not exceed five days.

Schengen visa Category C is for short-term stays. This is the most common visa. Schengen visa category C is issued for reasons other than immigration. Schengen visa category B entitles its holder to carry out a continuous visit or several visits whose duration does not exceed 90 days in any half-year from the date of first entry.




Schengen visa Category D is so-called national visa. Schengen visa category D is issued by a Schengen country in accordance with its national legislation and with respect to the some other conditions. The national visa allows the holder to transit from a non-Schengen state to the Schengen country which issued the national visa within five days.

Schengen visa Category D+C combines the functions of the Schengen visa category D and Schengen visa category C. The Schengen visa Category D+C is intended for long-term stay in the Schengen zone members state that issued it, and also to travel in the Schengen area like a holder of a category C visa. The Schengen visa category D+C is for those who live and work in a Schengen state.

[Montanan]

Reference:

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/bef...asics/schengen
Bilateral visa waiver agreements
Australia has bilateral visa waiver agreements with several countries in the Schengen area. In most cases, these agreements allow you to spend up to 60 or 90 days in the country for tourism, regardless of stays in other Schengen countries.

Using these visa waiver agreements in combination with Schengen visa-free arrangements is complex. Each country operates the visa waiver agreements in its own way. Most countries require you to use the visa waiver agreement at the end of your Schengen area travel. Contact the embassy or consulate of the relevant country for the details on how they operate the visa-waiver agreements.

Bilateral visa waiver agreement countries include:

Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
The Netherlands
Norway
Sweden
Countries can change their entry or exit requirements at short notice. Before you travel, consult the nearest embassy or consulate of these countries for current visa information.

[ocean_groover]

Montanan, that's great info cheers



And thanks again everyone I'm picking out some good nuggets