How do we stay in the EU area for 2 years?

[Roger G Tetley]

I have been sailing in Australia for over 40 years. Now we have bought a yacht in Greece and intend on sailing round the Med for at least 2 years. How can we do this and live within the Schengen areas without any problems and restrictions?
I have a UK passport which I think won't be of any help?

[boatman61]

Can't be done without 90 days in every 180 in Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, Israel or Egypt..
Viva Brexit..

[jordanbigel]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Can't be done without 90 days in every 180 in Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, Israel or Egypt..
Viva Brexit..

What about Croatia, I thought I heard it was outside Schengen. No?

[HeywoodJ]

Originally Posted by jordanbigel

What about Croatia, I thought I heard it was outside Schengen. No?

It was until this morning Welcome to 2023, one fewer hiding places.

[stevead]

Australia does have a couple of bilateral visa waver agreements with some countries in the Schengen area that allow you stay in that country in addition to your 90 days (out of 180) in the Schengen zone.

You will however need to do your homework and get everything in place before your departure. And as other have pointed out, you can "reset the clock" by travelling to a country outside the Shengen area, but you need to keep in mind the 90 out of 180 day rule together with whatever additional visa waivers you can successfully obtain.

In general, without additional visa waivers, your dream of staying for 2 years the Shengen area is but a dream.

Refer to the Australian Smart Traveller web site

[TheOffice]

Are you eligible for a remote worker visa?

[ejs]

Montenegro and Cyprus are also outside Schengen. Montenegro will give you a temporary residency for as long as you have a berth booked which is nice for the winter months. It is still a dance.
EJS

[chrisr]

it is possible to apply for long stay visa which can give you 12 months, and this can be renewed without leaving

the downside is that such visa is for a specific country eg france or greece - not for the whole schengen area. this would not stop the occasional trip though...

as with all long stay visa, such needs to be applied for in your home country. the hoops are not too hard and expect 6-7 weeks for approval

good luck

cheers,

[azul_b]

Further to long stay visa you should be able to get a long stay type D visa for Greece as a Financially Independent Person if you have savings 24K euro (per person PA) and a marina or boat yard to use as address. You can then make trips to Croatia, Italy, France etc (max 90 days in 180 day window) and return to Greece whenever you want. And also stay over winter.

Malta is reported to not stamp in yacht crews.

[kish]

Check out the comprehensive guide

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/visa-calculator/

[MagicWindow]

We plan to Cruise the Mediterranean from May 23. Have a winter berth booked for Montenegro 1st Oct - End of April. Looks perfect. Will report back. Will need to extend visa but sounds easier using an agent but marina promise to help. So 5 months before winter berth. Any personal experience of Morocco or Tunisia would be appreciated. We also have a dog on board as we like to complicate life. Also technically challenged seniors so please keep any tech advice VERY SIMPLE please. Ray and Theresa.

[Anders]

Originally Posted by MagicWindow

We plan to Cruise the Mediterranean from May 23. Have a winter berth booked for Montenegro 1st Oct - End of April. Looks perfect. Will report back. Will need to extend visa but sounds easier using an agent but marina promise to help. So 5 months before winter berth. Any personal experience of Morocco or Tunisia would be appreciated. We also have a dog on board as we like to complicate life. Also technically challenged seniors so please keep any tech advice VERY SIMPLE please. Ray and Theresa.

Make sure you get rabies titer for the dog and if going to the EU before Africa it would be easier and cheaper to get an EU pet passport instead of doing the AHC every time you go to Europe.

[MagicWindow]

Originally Posted by Anders

Make sure you get rabies titer for the dog and if going to the EU before Africa it would be easier and cheaper to get an EU pet passport instead of doing the AHC every time you go to Europe.

Thanks for that. Rabbies jab done. As we understand it you need an EU address for an EU passport. Been told Portugal open to arranging and reasonable. However our first port will probably be Spain . Weather dependent as always. We are going to need a month or two out of Schengen zone. Looking at Morocco and Tunisia but No fixed plan as yet

Theresa

[Chotu]

Side question:

Can you sail the boat in as a foreign citizen allowing it to stay a long time, fly home, then return under your EU (but not Schengen) passport for personal immigration purposes?

This seems completely legal and would allow the boat to stay under foreign boating laws while allowing an EU citizen to stay indefinitely, or as long as the boat can anyway.

[Anders]

Originally Posted by MagicWindow

Thanks for that. Rabbies jab done. As we understand it you need an EU address for an EU passport. Been told Portugal open to arranging and reasonable. However our first port will probably be Spain . Weather dependent as always. We are going to need a month or two out of Schengen zone. Looking at Morocco and Tunisia but No fixed plan as yet

Theresa

In Spain they usually don't care what address you use. Make one up or use a marina address. You may be able transfer the current rabies vaccination but I've heard of some getting problems and I decided to let my dog have a new jab. Keep in mind that in some areas in Spain like Andalusia the jab is only valid for one year.
In addition to the jab you need a rabies test when arriving from Africa. Definitely get that sorted before leaving the EU.