European Travel Requirements for American Travelers
US Citizens and EU Visas for Dummies
Understanding ‘Europe’:
“Europe” is quite honestly a very vague term. Because of this, it’s important for American travelers to understand the European travel requirements for Americans. The countries in the eastern world that are either neighboring or those that comprise Europe had the option to create the European Union in the 19th century. Those member states of the European Union are:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Jul 22, 2016
Understanding the Schengen Area member states and rules:
From here the member states split up yet again when agreeing (or disagreeing in some cases) to be a part of the Schengen Area. The countries that make up the Schengen Area are:
1.) Austria
2.) Belgium
3.) Czech Republic
4.) Denmark
5.) Estonia
6.) Finland
7.) France
8.) Germany
9.) Greece
10.) Hungary
11.) Iceland
12.) Italy
13.) Latvia
14.) Lithuania
15.) Luxembourg
16.) Malta
17.) Netherlands
18.) Norway
19.) Poland
20.) Portugal
21.) Slovakia
22.) Slovenia
23.) Spain
24.) Sweden
25.) Switzerland
26.) Liechtenstein
**Side note: Watch out for Iceland, Norway and Switzerland as they are members of the Schengen Area, but not associated members of European Union.
Why does this matter to you?
This matters to you because the Schengen Area came up with a set of laws that allow EU citizens to travel from country to country freely with an EU passport. If you do NOT have an EU passport (example US citizen, Australian) you only get a ‘free pass’ of 90 days to travel within the Schengen Area with no visa.
***Side note: Generally speaking for any long-term stay in a European country you must have proof of: world wide accepted health insurance & proof of sufficient funds for the duration of your stay. Before you apply for visas and residency be aware of this!
Common Questions and Answers for European Travel Requirements for Americans
Q.) How can I stay in Europe longer than 90 days?
A.) If you want to stay in ‘Europe’ (depending what country you are in and want to be in) after your 90 days, student visa, or long term visa ends you must EXIT the Schengen Area for 90 days in any 180 day period. Luckily there are a few countries in ‘Europe’ that are not a part of the Schengen Area.
Countries NOT in the Schengen Area:
1.) The United Kingdom
2.) Ireland
3.) Romania
4.) Bulgaria
5.) Croatia
6.) Cyprus
This means that you can stay nearly 3 months inside of the Schengen Area, then must either return ‘home’, go to the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Asia, Africa, anywhere but the member states that make up the Schengen area for another 90 days (nearly 3 months). Then you are legally allowed to renter for another 90 days starting over.
Q.) What happens if I have a student visa and it expires but I want to stay?
A.) Once a student visa ends you must legally leave the last day the student visa ends, but only to get a stamp on your passport saying you left and returning. This means if you studied in Germany or Italy (for example) you can literally fly and get a tea in the UK and re-enter beginning your 90 days over again.
Q.) Do I need a return flight?
A.) Upon entrance to some countries, yes. However you can also just tell the truth at customs and say you are monitoring them while you stay there. More times than not they will not ask that you present the return flight at customs, instead just verbally ask when you are leaving
Q.) What are my options for visas to legally stay after 90 days?
A.) This depends entirely on your personal situation in regards to money and access. Here are typically your options to legally stay in Europe past 90 days:
1.) Student visa- You don’t have to be studying abroad for a semester or year like a collegiate, but instead getting enrolled at an accredited university to take culture or language courses (as an example), to obtain a student visa. You will then be able to stay in the host country as long as you pay for the course and have insurance and sufficient funds (as previously mentioned).
2.) Long-stay visas: This option varies per country. For example, Germany and Italy offer these types of visas. It pretty much is for those who have graduated from a college university and have sufficient funds for 6 months then the country will allow you to stay for up to 6 months in search for a job. This is available in France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden.
3.) Work visa: Good luck! These ARE possible, however they take a lot of paperwork and time. This also varies so much from country to country that we cannot elaborate much, instead you must do your research per country.
4.) Get married!: This ‘green card’ joke is not as easy as getting hitched in Las Vegas. The marriage laws vary per country and does not necessarily mean that once you get married that you have the right to residency once you say “I Do”. For example, in Germany once you are wed the non EU citizen must apply for an immigrant visa to be able to stay. This is also another case of research on your own per country.
Q.) Is this all worth it?
A.) Absolutely. If you have the opportunity to stretch the weeks or months you have abroad you should do it. Once you enter the walls of the US again it’s so hard to get out of the schedule of your life, work, and plans to be able to temporarily live in Europe. The most suggested way to stay aboard is skipping around in between the Schengen Area and outside, student visas, or long-term visas (where applicable).
Happy travels!
Remember, there is no better time for good weather, good sports, and good people than to travel to Europe in the summer and fall! So grab your passport and head the Europe to enjoy 90 days of visa free travel throughout the Schengen Area! Make sure you know the passport and visa requirements before you go.
