In 2014, I decided to travel for an extended period of time in Europe and even looked into moving, but ran into issues with visas. I wanted to share some of the things I learned based on my research and the various calls to the embassy. As a US citizen, here are some things you need to know about traveling for an extended period or living abroad in Europe:

1. Most of continental Europe falls under the Schengen Region agreement: This is important as the Schengen Region – basically Continental Europe, you can see the full list of qualified countries here – has different regulations than the United Kingdom, Ireland, or Croatia (non-Schengen areas). It is also a lot easier to find visa information when searching for “Schengen Region” versus Spain, France, etc.
2. Schengen Region’s 90-180 Rule: As a US citizen (and I believe it is true for Australians and Japanese), you can enter the Schengen Region as a tourist without applying for a visa (just present your passport at border control) for 90 days within a 180-day period. What does this mean? Thanks to the very patient and kind Spanish embassy agent in San Francisco, this could mean:
   • If you travel within the Schengen Region for 90 days, then you must wait another 90 days before entering the Schengen Region: For example, Tiff flies to Madrid on Jan. 1^st and stays until Jan. 31^st (30 days). She then goes to Paris and stays until Mar. 2^nd (60 days). Tiff finally travels around Berlin until Apr. 1^st (90 days). Tiff has to leave the Schengen Region on Apr. 1^st and wait another 90 days before she can enter any country within the Schengen Region (until Jun. 30^th).
   • If you travel within the Schengen Region for X days, leave the Schengen Region for Y days, and then return to the Schengen Region for 90-X days, then you must wait another 90 days before entering the Schengen Region: Second example, Tiff flies to Florence on Jan. 1^st and stays until Mar. 2^nd (60 days). She then goes back to the USA (outside Schengen Region) until Apr. 1^st, in which the “90-day timer” pauses. Tiff leaves the US and returns to the Schengen Region to Athens on April 1^st. She can stay in Athens or anywhere else in the Schengen Region until May 1^st (30 days = 90 – 60 days from her first trip) before she has to leave. Tiff has to wait until Jul. 30^th (90 days later) before she can enter the Schengen Region again.
3. United Kingdom’s 6 month Rule: The regulations for UK (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) are simpler. As a US citizen, you can visit and stay anywhere in the UK for 6 months at a time (at the discretion of UK border control though). Technically you can stay in the UK for 6 months, leave, and return to the UK for another 6 months, but that may not go well with border control.

Aren’t visas fun? let me know if you have any other facts or tips.

Other Resources

1. All Countries – Which countries do and do not require visas (for US citizens): Click here
2. All Countries – Official site for general information about your destination: Click here
3. UK – Survey to check if you need a visa for the UK: Click here
4. UK – What to do when you are denied entry into the UK: Click here
5. UK – Entry into the UK Information: Click here
6. Schengen Region – FAQ: Click here