Length of stay in the Med

[Clewless]

We are planning to sail the Med for 6 months but have been told you can only stay 3 months.

Can you leave the country and reapply for an extended 3 months?

If so, how long do you have to be away?

Is there any way around it?

[Stu Jackson]

I lived in California for almost 40 years, and moved to British Columbia last year. I read this great forum regularly. I have no plans to go to the Med with my boat. But KENOMAC is a frequent respondent here and he has written extensively about this very subject.

Dare I suggest you do a custom Google site search on Schengen?

Good luck, do your homework.

[Palarran]

Stu,
It's apparently quite a few forum members pet peeve when someone suggests doing a simple search on this site for a subject that has been covered extensively about 100 times. It doesn't bother me though

Clewless,
Welcome to the forum. No offense is really meant for you. There will undoubtedly be a lot of members who are more than willing to give you the run down on Schengen again. But, since your new you might not know that you can do a simple search of this site by clicking the "Search" tab at the top of the menu. If you choose the custom google search tab and enter "schengen mediterranean" you will find quite a few similar threads. You also can go to the forum sub-category for the Med by clicking the "Forums" button and then looking at the Destinations category and "Europe and Mediterranean" sub-category. There is a lot of info just about cruising there.

[Clewless]

Thanks Stu. I note you are in beautiful British Columbia. We were there this past Christmas visiting 2 of our kids. No doubt it's a heck of a lot warmer now than is was then. -20
Cheers!

[Clewless]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.
Love the quote!

[valhalla360]

Possible but in without jumping thru some hoops and/or special situations, you get 90 days out of the last 180 days on a rolling basis.

So no, leaving for a day and returning does not reset the clock.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Clewless

We are planning to sail the Med for 6 months but have been told you can only stay 3 months.

Can you leave the country and reapply for an extended 3 months?

If so, how long do you have to be away?

Is there any way around it?

This recent thread should get you started:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...en-187551.html

You just need to mix in some very nice countries like Montenegro, Albania and Croatia in order to extend your 90 day limit to 180. Plan your trip carefully, and it won't be a problem.

I believe New Zealand may have some treaty arrangements with some EU countries which allow longer stays.

[arsenelupiga]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

This recent thread should get you started:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...en-187551.html

You just need to mix in some very nice countries like Montenegro, Albania and Croatia in order to extend your 90 day limit to 180. Plan your trip carefully, and it won't be a problem.

I believe New Zealand may have some treaty arrangements with some EU countries which allow longer stays.

that is funny - harder restrictions than to get African or Asian from the boat to settle in EU.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by arsenelupiga

that is funny - harder restrictions than to get African or Asian from the boat to settle in EU.

You'll need to discuss that with Angela Merkel.

[B00B00]

Clewless, when are you heading up there and what have ypu brought? We are off from auckland in 2 weeks with a one way flight to france.

[sailing_gal]

I have gotten around the 90 day rule in the Med by applying for residency status in Spain. Now, as an EU resident, I don't have a 90 day problem. But, I do have to be careful to avoid getting taxed here- another issue. Also, this applies to me, I still have to get my boat out of Schengen periodically to avoid VAT.

[sailcrazy]

A few years ago (2012-2014) we spent 3 seasons cruising the Med. Based on our experience, it all depends on the mood of the official across the desk! Some countries have the rule in place, but do not pay any attention to it-unless pressed, or have easy work-arounds in place. Other countries are real sticklers. Italy told us we had to check into every port we stopped at-except no one at those ports knew what or why we were checking in....we finally stopped doing it and just played dumb. and then, when we were leaving Italy (we had spent quite a few more than 90 days there and were some concerned) the official said no problem.....it's only 90 days on land(in a port that you admit to) that counts???? Regardless, you do need to know the rules and who enforces Schengen. But talk to local cruisers you'll run into, too,....there's lots of variance!

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by sailing_gal

I have gotten around the 90 day rule in the Med by applying for residency status in Spain. Now, as an EU resident, I don't have a 90 day problem. But, I do have to be careful to avoid getting taxed here- another issue. Also, this applies to me, I still have to get my boat out of Schengen periodically to avoid VAT.

I looked into this idea as a way around the Schengen 90 day limit but was concerned about the potential tax exposure. Can you elaborate a little on how you are dealing with that?

Thanks

[Clewless]

Originally Posted by B00B00

Clewless, when are you heading up there and what have ypu brought? We are off from auckland in 2 weeks with a one way flight to france.

We are not leaving until 01 April 2018. Looking at purchasing a Jeanneau 54DS.

[Tom and Maje]

If you are a US citizen any stay in France will break up the EU 90 day problem. That's because of a bilateral treaty between the US and France. You can also stay in Gibraltar, which is non-EU. Another option is to apply for a visa for six months in one of the EU countries before you go.

Maje