Here you can find 15 frequently asked questions on the Schengen visa-free, and their answers below:
The visa-free regime applies to stays in the territories of the Schengen States.
The Schengen area consists of 27 countries (of which 23 are EU states): Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
As regards the France and the Netherlands, the visa-free travel shall apply only to the European territory of these Member States. The visa regime between the overseas territories of these Member States and the six countries remains subject to bilateral arrangements between the countries
concerned or to national legislation.
The overseas territories of France are: Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Reunion, French, Polynesia, New Caledonia, Mayotte, Saint Pierre, and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Clipperton Island, and the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.
The overseas territories of the Netherlands are: Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles (consisting of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Saint Eustatius, and Saint Martin).
You can stay 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen area.
When applying this rule, the following aspects should be taken into account:
It should be noted that periods of the previous stay authorized under a residence permit or a long-stay visa are not taken into account in the calculation of the duration of visa-free stay. Residence permits and long-stay visas are subject to different rules and the above explanations and calculations do not apply to them.
Yes, you can. However, you must carefully calculate your days of stay as the overall period of stay must not exceed the overall total of 90 (ninety) days of stay within any 180-days period (see above).
A passport issued within the previous 10 years and valid for at least three months after the intended date of departure from the Schengen area.
The visa waiver does not give an unconditional right of entry and stay. The Member States have the right to refuse entry and stay in their territories if one or more of the entry conditions are not met.
For stays not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period, the entry conditions for third-country nationals are the following:
You need to show your passport. In addition, you might be asked to also show documents proving your purpose and conditions of stay (for example tickets for further journeys and return tickets; reservation of accommodation; invitation letter in case of visits, conferences or events; school enrolment certificate in case of study etc.) as well as evidence of sufficient means of subsistence (see below).
According to Article 5(3) of the Schengen Border Code: “means of subsistence shall be assessed in accordance with the duration and the purpose of the stay and by reference to average prices in the Member State(s)concerned for board and lodging in budget accommodation, multiplied by the number of days stayed.”
The verification that the third-country national concerned has sufficient means of subsistence for the duration and purpose of the intended stay, for his/her return to the country of origin or transit to a third country or that he/she can obtain these means legally. In order to assess the means of
subsistence, the reference amounts set by each Schengen State must be taken into account.
The verification of sufficient means of subsistence may be based on cash, travelers’ cheques and credit cards in the third-country national’s possession. Declarations of sponsorships, where such declarations are provided for by national legislation and letters of guarantee/invitation from hosts, as defined by national legislation, in case the third-country national is staying with a host, may also constitute evidence of sufficient means of subsistence.
The validity of a credit card can be verified by contacting the issuing company or by using other facilities available at the border crossing point (e.g. exchange offices).
Invitation from hosts can be verified by contacting the host directly or by verifying the host’s good faith through the national contact points of the Member States in which the host resides.
Travel medical insurance is not mandatory for visa-free third country nationals. Nonetheless, it is recommended to get one in case of travel to the Schengen countries.
You can come as a tourist, to visit friends or family, to attend cultural or sports events or exchanges, business meetings, for journalistic or media purposes, medical treatment, for short-term studies or training and any similar activities.
However, the visa waiver does not apply to persons traveling for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity in the Member States, i.e. for those who come to work in the EU (see question below).
Yes, most of the Member States require a visa and a work permit if you intend to work there, even if it is for less than 90 days. Please contact the Embassy/Consulate of the Member State where you intend to work to inquire whether a special type of visa and work permit is needed.
You can be asked to provide information on this person. It is recommended to have at least the address and contact number.
You will need to apply for a study permit only in case you intend to undertake studies exceeding 90 days of stay in the Schengen area within a period of 180 days. For longer studies, you have to apply for a study permit and the rules vary from country to country. Therefore it is recommended to consult the Embassy/Consulate of the country in which you intend to study.
There are no border controls between countries in the Schengen area. Border controls are carried out between the Schengen countries and Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania (the EU Member States which do not yet fully apply the Schengen acquis). Controls are also carried out between Schengen countries and Ireland (which does not belong to the Schengen Area).
Non-EU citizens are obliged to fulfill all entry conditions (see question 5) and might be required to demonstrate that at possible ad-hoc controls in the Schengen area.
A non-EU national who stays in the Schengen area beyond 90 days (without a residence permit or long-stay visa) is illegally present, which can result in a re-entry ban to the Schengen area. Working in the Schengen area without a work permit is also illegal (even if less than 90 days) and can likewise result in a re-entry ban to the Schengen area. Depending on the Member State administrative penalties may also apply.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Schengen visa-free
Reference: European Union External Action website (https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/13979/frequently-asked-questions-schengen-visa-free_en )
Giuditta Petreni has over 10 years of experience in assisting companies and business investors with relocation of managers and staff to Italy. Giuditta has extensive experience advising corporate and private clients on a full range of Italian immigration categories. She is fluent in Italian and English.
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