Med cruising and managing Schengen

[crdaem]

I wonder if this Visa also applies to US citizens

[Budawang]

Originally Posted by crdaem

I wonder if this Visa also applies to US citizens

It's not a visa per se but a bilateral Treaty between Australia and Spain which predates Schengen and apparently was never rescinded. I could find almost no information about it on the internet. There may have been a similar treaty between the US and Spain. I suggest you contact the Spanish embassy in Washington.

[madsb]

Originally Posted by Budawang

Just found out from someone who works at the Spanish Embassy in Canberra that there is a 3-month visa treaty between Spain and Australia. This means Spain won't count time spent in other Schengen countries against time spent in Spain and, in theory, will give Australians three additional months. It will only work, however, if Spain is the LAST country visited in Europe. However, because Spain usually is the last country visited before heading across the Atlantic this would work well. A sample itinerary might be:

June to August: Greece, Italy and France (3 months under Schengen).
September to November: Spain, including Balearics and Canaries (3 months under bilateral treaty).
Total time cruising Europe: 6 months.

The embassy official told me an Australian would have to show the Spanish border authorities a copy of the Treaty. However, it's possible some border guards might still choose not to recognise it so you could have some hassles. The Spanish Embassy only gave me a copy of it in Spanish.

There are other similar bilateral agreements. At some point I found a list of them. As far as I remember New Zealand has these with several countries, Australia a bit less and the US and other countries also have some. One that I know of is that both New Zealand and Australia has up to an additional 90 days in the nordic countries provided that the first 90 days were not spent in the nordic countries. You could use one or more of these bilateral treaties to be able to do 180 days in 90 days out instead of 90 days in and 90 days out. As an example you could do:
For instance arriving from the UK:
90 days late spring and early summer in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and the Baltic Countries (Schengen time)
90 days late summer and early autumn in the nordic countries (bilateral treaty time)
90 days late fall and early winter winter in southern England or Ireland (out of Schengen time)
90 days late winter and early spring spring in Belgium and Western France and Portugal (Schengen Time)
90 days late spring and early summer in Spain (bilateral treaty time)
90 days late summer and early fall in Marokko (out of Schengen time)
90 days late fall and early winter winter in Portugal (Schengen time)
90 days late winter and early spring spring in Spain (bilateral treaty time)
etc.

[Seman]

We, Australian and Thai passport holders, have just checked in with the chief of immigration in Palma, main port of Mallorca. He advised that as long we reside on our boat the 3 month Schengen rule will not apply. As long as we live on our boat in the Schengen countries we can live here for years! I argued with him, but he told me that he has been the chief of immigration in Palma for years and he know the rules. However if we go for a holiday ( reside off the boat) the 3 month Schengen rule will apply.

[ReneJK]

Originally Posted by Seman

We, Australian and Thai passport holders, have just checked in with the chief of immigration in Palma, main port of Mallorca. He advised that as long we reside on our boat the 3 month Schengen rule will not apply. As long as we live on our boat in the Schengen countries we can live here for years! I argued with him, but he told me that he has been the chief of immigration in Palma for years and he know the rules. However if we go for a holiday ( reside off the boat) the 3 month Schengen rule will apply.

get it in writing ! (seriously) on official papers with a stamp

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by ReneJK

get it in writing ! (seriously) on official papers with a stamp

And thank him for it with a good Whiskey..

[Kenomac]

As it’s been stated many times before on this forum and as I’ve also had personal experience... Spain and Italy couldn’t care any less about how long an American, Canadian, Australian or New Zealander remains in their countries, they tend to look the other way as long as you behave yourself and don’t try to use their healthcare system or welfare services reserved for citizens. BUT just don’t try to exit the EU via Switzerland or several of the other more northern countries, or you’ll be in a boatload of trouble.

BTW: For those cruising Greek waters, I’ve been stopped twice in three weeks by harbor/tax revenue police in open waters to check my paperwork for tax certificates and cruising fees, and boarded to check for illegal passengers. Best to have everything in order.

[Palarran]

The Greeks were also the only ones who have ever bothered to look at my entrance stamp and calculate the days in Shengren, which I had overstayed. But fortunately I had cleared out and exited from the Azores and didn't need to clear back in until arriving in Malaga, and those days were the ones needed to bring me below 90.

[Dtm67]

We have read that in Greek waters with a non-Eu boat that a properly stamped transit log (and no corresponding entry stamp on your passport) can help with the 90 day schengen limit. The idea as I understand it is so long as you reside on your boat and don’t overnight on land you can stay beyond the schengen limits. And if you need to leave the boat (to stay on land or leave the country and your boat behind) it’s important to get an entry stamp on your passport to start the schengen clock.

I’m hoping to learn this first hand when we arrive in Greece in a few weeks from Albania.

Anyone else have first hand experience?

[Seman]

Originally Posted by Dtm67

We have read that in Greek waters with a non-Eu boat that a properly stamped transit log (and no corresponding entry stamp on your passport) can help with the 90 day schengen limit. The idea as I understand it is so long as you reside on your boat and don’t overnight on land you can stay beyond the schengen limits. And if you need to leave the boat (to stay on land or leave the country and your boat behind) it’s important to get an entry stamp on your passport to start the schengen clock.

I’m hoping to learn this first hand when we arrive in Greece in a few weeks from Albania.

Anyone else have first hand experience?

We were told the same by the chief of the Mallorca Immigration. Will test it.
2 years ago we over stayed 2 month, were checked by the coast guard in Italy and Spain a few times, no problems!

[corsaircpt]

If you are around eastern Mediterranean, the Turkish coast is not a bad place to winter with lots of marinas, protected coves and no Schengen issues.

[Dogscout]

US citizen on a US flagged boat in Greece. Yesterday I was told by police that Greece will give me a complete 90 days separate from schengen.

Last week in Sicily the port police were very careful counting my 90 day time to make certain i was not over.

In Malta for past few months and they were kind enough to stamp me out to the boat.

So I have been in Italy, Malta, and Greece now since April with about 30 days back to US for personal matters. Malta was key in stamping me out, and onto a crew list as captain of my boat. Italy and Greece would not do the same because I am the owner.

Now trying to figure best option and planning for winter. I may just head to Croatia soon.

[David B]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

As it’s been stated many times before on this forum and as I’ve also had personal experience... Spain and Italy couldn’t care any less about how long an American, Canadian, Australian or New Zealander remains in their countries, they tend to look the other way as long as you behave yourself and don’t try to use their healthcare system or welfare services reserved for citizens. BUT just don’t try to exit the EU via Switzerland or several of the other more northern countries, or you’ll be in a boatload of trouble.

BTW: For those cruising Greek waters, I’ve been stopped twice in three weeks by harbor/tax revenue police in open waters to check my paperwork for tax certificates and cruising fees, and boarded to check for illegal passengers. Best to have everything in order.

Approaching Sicily from Malta in 2016 we were boarded by the Gardia Financia. Radio checks back to base with our paperwork and passport details, then once all papers checked, our boat was inspected, insurance details etc were even checked.

They then gave us a signed, stamped form and advised if we were approached again, showing that form would halt any inspection as they could see we had already been checked.

Two days later in Siracusa, at the marina we were again checked despite showing the form. Then we were reminded in a not particularly friendly manner that we only had 67 days left before we must leave. So not all in Italy are casual, but I must say, overall we love the place and its people.

[p435]

Be aware that not all staff in Schengen countries do know the Schengen regulations exactly. I experienced the same with a Schengen registered boat and a Schengen citizenship.


Unfriendly Coast Guard/Police staff - keep in mind that there are always people who like to show their power. Try to keep smiling!

[Palarran]

Originally Posted by David B

Approaching Sicily from Malta in 2016 we were boarded by the Gardia Financia. Radio checks back to base with our paperwork and passport details, then once all papers checked, our boat was inspected, insurance details etc were even checked.

I had a similar experience on the same route. Two high speed RIB's approached us, both came up on our stern and essentially placed their boats on the side of mine as we were moving. They wanted me to maintain speed. There were 4 or 5 heavily armed soldiers on each and one asked me a few questions, they radioed in the info, then turned off our boat and took off. It was pretty weird but understandable given the migrant situation.