EU Entry: When does the clock start

[Haddock1]

For those who are in the UK and are perplexed with all the nonsense going on between UK Government and the EU I have a few practical questions.

I understand the new rules post Dec 31 regardless of a deal or not is that we have a rolling road of 90 days in every 180 days to visit the EU visa free.

My first question is when does the "clock" start? When you enter European waters or when you arrive at your European destination port? For example I leave the UK sail down the coast of France, Spain and Portugal then stop at Marbella 12 days later. Does the 90 day clock start at arriving in Marbella or when I entered EU waters and therefore would have used 12 days of my 90 day allowance.

My second question is does your allotted time get used when you are at sea? For example I arrive in Spain then sail non stop for 10 days to Greece. Do the ten days count as part of the 90? If not how do I record the fact I have been at sea?

My third question is if I sail from Spain to a non EU country and check in (say Tunisia) I assume the clock stops. I then leave Tunisia and sail and anchor for the next three months at various European locations but do not go to a Marina, how would the authorities know I have entered a European location to start the clock again?

Can't seem to find anything on the web with these scenarios.

Appreciate your thoughts.

Haddock.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Haddock1

For those who are in the UK and are perplexed with all the nonsense going on between UK Government and the EU I have a few practical questions.

I understand the new rules post Dec 31

I wouldn't assume anything yet until 'the fat lady sings'. Then it will take time for the information to filter down to those in the UK advising and those in the EU enforcing throughout the 27 countries.

Pete

[goboatingnow]

Technically time at sea may or may not Be considered , but U.K. citizens will now as third country residents have to stamp their Passports arrival and departure

If you therefore simply leave one eu country and arrive at another , you are not normally viewed as having left the EU at all. Hence the immigration officer is under no obligation to deduct the time at sea. ( in practice he or she has no idea how you got to your destination )

Hence these dates are the ones that will be used but it’s unlikely if there is no non EU country in between , they don’t normally deduct any days in between.

Note it’s 90 days in any 180. You can dice it up anyway you like.

As for “ checking “ as I said unless changed by arrangement , U.K. citizens will have to specifically clear in and out of their arrival and departure ports. Just ask your nearby American !!

[wolfgal]

no idea, Haddock, as this brexit thing is a hugely a huge mess

however, my feeling is that it will not take long for tracing apps to become a thing...

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Pete7

I wouldn't assume anything yet until 'the fat lady sings'. Then it will take time for the information to filter down to those in the UK advising and those in the EU enforcing throughout the 27 countries.



Pete

The desk is very “ light “ and largely deals with tariffs on food and goods, cross recognition of certification and other non contentious issues.

Oh and fishing and how to slap the U.K. wrists when they break the rules. !!

I’ve not heard that any special residency rules are being considered and I understand guidance has already been issued on that.

Some countries like Greece have been handing out residency cards like sweets to U.K. citizens while they still are EU citizens

[Haddock1]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

As for “ checking “ as I said unless changed by arrangement , U.K. citizens will have to specifically clear in and out of their arrival and departure ports. Just ask your nearby American !!

Interesting. So as you check in on arrival at Mabelle you also need check out when you leave? Currently don't need to do this just provide last port and next destination when you check in. So our "American" friends need to check out of Mabelle even if they are just heading up the road to Valencia?

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Haddock1

Interesting. So as you check in on arrival at Mabelle you also need check out when you leave? Currently don't need to do this just provide last port and next destination when you check in. So our "American" friends need to check out of Mabelle even if they are just heading up the road to Valencia?

No there is only a requirement to check in on arrival into the country once and when you leave. You can then sail the coast as you require ( with your 90 day clock running )

In practice it can often be awkward to get exit stamps which doesn’t help your 90 day clock

[skipmac]

If the Brits are treated like the rest of the world then the clock starts the moment someone stamps your passport. And as GBN noted, time at sea is usually not deducted, even extended periods

According to reports of trans-Atlantic cruisers even after checking in at the Azores and then sailing offshore to Europe the 10-14 days at sea is still counted as time in Schengen.

[Haddock1]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

No there is only a requirement to check in on arrival into the country once and when you leave. You can then sail the coast as you require ( with your 90 day clock running )

In practice it can often be awkward to get exit stamps which doesn’t help your 90 day clock

OK got it. So if I intend to sail in Spain or I guess any of the Schengen countries, after checking in to Marbella I would not need to check out until I leave the Spain/Schengen area and all the time the clock is ticking?

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by skipmac

If the Brits are treated like the rest of the world then the clock starts the moment someone stamps your passport. And as GBN noted, time at sea is usually not deducted, even extended periods



According to reports of trans-Atlantic cruisers even after checking in at the Azores and then sailing offshore to Europe the 10-14 days at sea is still counted as time in Schengen.

Yes immigration officers tend not to be that interested in your cruising log , jolly offshore stories or such.

Stamp stamp etc , if you check in to an EU country and arrive without a non intervening EU country in the way it will all be considered as you never leaving the EU. Even if you sailed the wrong way round the world on the way.

[goboatingnow]

I’ve a bit of an inside insight into the Brexit deal. To my knowledge there are no extensions for tourists from the U.K. there are some provisions aimed at U.K. long residents in EU countries , but many of these are country specific

[Haddock1]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

if you check in to an EU country and arrive without a non intervening EU country in the way it will all be considered as you never leaving the EU. Even if you sailed the wrong way round the world on the way.

So........ After leaving Marbella I sail down to Tunisia and check in (intervening country) I then sail the delightful anchorages of Sardinia, Corsica and the Italian coast but don't go to a marina. At what point would the authorities say I have arrived back in the EU? When I do eventually check in to Capri for some well deserved caviar and vintage Moet?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Haddock1

So........ After leaving Marbella I sail down to Tunisia and check in (intervening country) I then sail the delightful anchorages of Sardinia, Corsica and the Italian coast but don't go to a marina. At what point would the authorities say I have arrived back in the EU? When I do eventually check in to Capri for some well deserved caviar and vintage Moet?

I think you will find that the Guardia boats will be patrolling the coasts and checking boats at anchor.. the drug and illegal refugee situation ans all that.

[barnab]

Originally Posted by Haddock1

So........ After leaving Marbella I sail down to Tunisia and check in (intervening country) I then sail the delightful anchorages of Sardinia, Corsica and the Italian coast but don't go to a marina. At what point would the authorities say I have arrived back in the EU? When I do eventually check in to Capri for some well deserved caviar and vintage Moet?

I think it's less of a question when they find out...It's more the question what happens when they find out - after all you crossed the borders illegally by not going directly to a port of entry and checking in. I don't know how the italian authorities handle this, but the croation ones will fine every person on board with several thousand euros...

[greenlantern]

Schengen 90 day visa waiver is based on entry/exit stamps in the holder's passport. Dates are inclusive so count all the calendar days. This is not very complicated.