Med cruising and managing Schengen

[corsaircpt]

If you can make the passage try the stretch of coast in Easterm Mediterranean from Marmaris to Kas. No Schengen nonsense, great marinas, vast range of bays and Fjoerds to pick from as well as super sheltered large bays where you can pick lots of anchorages with good holding and easy access to groceries and water. Marmaris, Fethiye, Kas all contain multiple marinas and excellent yacht repairs and services. You could easly winter there moving from bay to bay and not break a sweat.

[Lambretta]

Originally Posted by corsaircpt

If you can make the passage try the stretch of coast in Easterm Mediterranean from Marmaris to Kas. No Schengen nonsense, great marinas, vast range of bays and Fjoerds to pick from as well as super sheltered large bays where you can pick lots of anchorages with good holding and easy access to groceries and water. Marmaris, Fethiye, Kas all contain multiple marinas and excellent yacht repairs and services. You could easly winter there moving from bay to bay and not break a sweat.

I could not agree more

[mdamours]

As we picked up our boat in France this summer and are completing our season in and around the Schengen zone, now waiting for our Atlantic crossing in the Canaries, I have tried to summarize what I have learned over the last few months in a blog post:

http://oxalisborealis.com/sailing-in...-90-day-limit/

[Hawkeye118]

Brexit. That horrible 6 letter word. I've searched for any Brexit threads, and i haven't found any on this forum.
I don't want to get into the politics of Brexit, but want to seeif anyone that is directly affected by it has been making any plans or has any thoughts on how they might handle it.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye118

Brexit. That horrible 6 letter word. I've searched for any Brexit threads, and i haven't found any on this forum.
I don't want to get into the politics of Brexit, but want to seeif anyone that is directly affected by it has been making any plans or has any thoughts on how they might handle it.

Several forum members in the UK that might chime in on this but if you really want to jump into Brexit with both feet you might check out this forum.


Yachting and Boating World Forums


I do a lot of import/export business in the UK and everyone I deal with think Brexit, if it ever happens, will not be good for the UK in the long run, or short run for that matter.

[Seman]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye118

Brexit. That horrible 6 letter word. I've searched for any Brexit threads, and i haven't found any on this forum.
I don't want to get into the politics of Brexit, but want to seeif anyone that is directly affected by it has been making any plans or has any thoughts on how they might handle it.

You could try the Med Sailing Facebook Page. Brexit appears to be a popular subject there.

[reynoldsa]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

The western Med is somewhat more difficult logistically with only Gibraltar and most of Morocco to exit for VAT and Schengen, but it can be done. But after you get to Italy and then the Adriatic and eastward, Schengen and VAT avoidance become very, very easy to deal with.

With all the migrant issues the Schengen countries are presently dealing with, I can't see Croatia or Montenegro being in any hurry to join the party. Especially seeing as how they fought a civil war not long ago, largely centered around the muslim/Serb issue. Lots of churches.... no mosques around here, and I don't see this changing anytime soon.

OP,

Fifteen months isn't nearly enough time. Three to five years is more like it just to get a preview... what's your hurry?

Hi,
Are you still in the Med? I'm reading one of your posts about Schengen. We arrive June 2020, our boat is in Valencia. We are USA. Thinking we'd return early November, so we should skip out September & October, right? Our boat is an Amel 54. We have just sailed her to Ibiza and back this summer, bought her in 2018, we have sailing experiences for the past 6 years, all this to say, we are thinking Gibraltar and Morocco. I don't think we're quite ready to hop clear over to Croatia and Turkey yet, perhaps 2021, but what are your thoughts? Thank you

[meirriba]

Are the posters here aware of the option (Greek at least) to get a 300 days visa based on economic independence? Moreover, once you get such a visa, it can be a base of a permit to live in Greece for 2 years.
If anyone is interested, I can describe the (cumbersome) process of this visa.

[Lambretta]

Originally Posted by meirriba

Are the posters here aware of the option (Greek at least) to get a 300 days visa based on economic independence? Moreover, once you get such a visa, it can be a base of a permit to live in Greece for 2 years.
If anyone is interested, I can describe the (cumbersome) process of this visa.

I would be interested to hear about this ...... Does it matter what passport you apply for this permit on. I would be on a South African passport and the admiral on a British?

[meirriba]

Originally Posted by Lambretta

I would be interested to hear about this ...... Does it matter what passport you apply for this permit on. I would be on a South African passport and the admiral on a British?

It is my understanding that SA passport is fine and British does not need it until Brexit occurs...
To the procedure:
You apply for a meeting at your local Greek consulate (we got an appointment dated 3 months after first application email...).

The visa is based on each applicant personal financial independence, i.e. you prove to the Greeks that you will not need any support from them during your (extended) stay.
To prove it you are will be asked to bring one or all of the following (depending on the particular consular officer you deal with:
1. Letter from your bank, certifying that each applicant has steady monthly income of at least €2,000 (or steady annual income over €24,000).
2. Your bank statements of last 3 month, showing the info a.m.
3. Salary or pension slips showing the above.

This is the basic requirement (it may be replaced by investment in property - I did not check this option).
Next:
1. Application form (in English) + photo of applicant.
2. Health or travel insurance policy of year duration (to ensure that you will have cover for health issues during your stay).
3. Passport (which will remain in the consulate until visa is granted. In Tel-Aviv it took one week).
4. Medical certificate, stating that you do not carry contagious diseases (there is a form for this).
5. Police certificate that you have no criminal record.
6. Some proof of accommodation - we presented our marina contract. (I do not know what will be the response to someone that has no permanent base in Greece - just cruising around for the whole year)
7. Fee of € 180, in local currency.
8. Personal interview by the visa officer.

W were advised by the consulate, at the start, to use help of Greek law office. However we went alone, with some help of a nice Greek lady who is sailing agent and is well versed in the process.

After the above described Via Dolorosa, we got a visa for 300 days. It was explained to us that we are entitled to apply to Greek ministry for a residence permit (which is not the visa) initially for a year, and when this permit expires it may be renewed for another 2 years. This incurs separate fees. I am not sure of the cost.

[Dtm67]

Very interesting. Thanks for describing the process. A note of caution...staying in Greece more than half of a year will trigger vat on a non vat paid boat as you will become a tax resident. No idea how this is enforced and would love to hear evidence to the contrary...

[p435]

If the 300day visa for Greece is correct, then it applies also for other Schengen countries. Additionally the EU tax regulation concerning VAT kicks in.

It might be good to check the VAT regulation before applying for 300 day visa.

[meirriba]

Originally Posted by p435

If the 300day visa for Greece is correct, then it applies also for other Schengen countries. Additionally the EU tax regulation concerning VAT kicks in.

It might be good to check the VAT regulation before applying for 300 day visa.

This will something to consider and find out - our boat is registered to a corporation so ther connecton between the boat and skipper for VAT is not automatic.

[karabil]

Originally Posted by meirriba

Are the posters here aware of the option (Greek at least) to get a 300 days visa based on economic independence? Moreover, once you get such a visa, it can be a base of a permit to live in Greece for 2 years.
If anyone is interested, I can describe the (cumbersome) process of this visa.

Also interested.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by Dtm67

Very interesting. Thanks for describing the process. A note of caution...staying in Greece more than half of a year will trigger vat on a non vat paid boat as you will become a tax resident. No idea how this is enforced and would love to hear evidence to the contrary...

Possibly a bigger deal...are you considered a resident and subject to income or other taxes?