Camino Frances East to West

[Tony Bobcat]

Hello fellow pilgrims,
I am travelling from Australia, planning my Camino Francis and would like to finish in Finisterre. The time required for this and our additional holiday after the Camino is a total of 100 days. We have been told by our travel agent we can only stay in Europe for 90 days. Has anyone had issues with staying longer than the 90 days in regard to the Schengen law.

 

[Marbe2]

Consider planning your additional holiday outside of the schengen zone. Don’t overstay your welcome!

The 26 Schengen countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

GB, IE might be options, but then you may have to negotiate different Covid restrictions?

 

[trecile]

Hello fellow pilgrims,
I am travelling from Australia, planning my Camino Francis and would like to finish in Finisterre. The time required for this and our additional holiday after the Camino is a total of 100 days. We have been told by our travel agent we can only stay in Europe for 90 days. Has anyone had issues with staying longer than the 90 days in regard to the Schengen law.

How many days are you planning for the Camino Francés? What are your other plans for this trip?
I definitely wouldn't risk being unable to return to the Schengen zone in the future by overstaying!

As @Marbe2 said, while there is considerable overlap not all EU countries are in the Schengen zone, and not all Schengen countries are part of the EU.
Just make sure not to spend more than 90 days in Schengen countries.

 

[Anamiri]

There was an earlier thread ( a few months ago I think), and someone pointed out that some countries have individual arrangements with countries within the Schengen region, that allow a longer stay in those particular counties..

 

[Former member 99290]

@Tony Bobcat - Hi from Pretty Beach north of Sydney. In my experience, the Schengen rule is taken seriously. The limit is a total of 90 days in any 180 day period, so as others have noted, you can arrange your travels to spend 10 days or so in a non-Schengen country - that would probably be the simplest solution. If not, no-one will track you down on Day 91 - but you may well get caught up when exiting for your return flight - which would not be good if you hope to return in the future!

I don't know about other arrangements for individual countries. But I know that when we spend time in France / Spain etc - longer than 3 months - I can only do so with a pre-arranged long term visa which is not a straightforward process - .and I'm married to a Frenchman.

Best wishes for your plans and camino~

 

[simoneva]

Definitely don't overstay. They may not let you out. I had to wait several minutes at passport control whilst they manually checked all my entry/exit stamps. As a frequent traveller this is going to get painful.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

There was an earlier thread ( a few months ago I think), and someone pointed out that some countries have individual arrangements with countries within the Schengen region, that allow a longer stay in those particular counties..

Here is a thread mentioning that.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/schengen-question.70546/

 

[Sue127]

Definitely something to take seriously if you want to return to a schengen country another year. Information here: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/consequences-of-overstaying-in-schengen-area/

 

[Wanderingfriend]

Consider planning your additional holiday outside of the schengen zone. Don’t overstay your welcome!

The 26 Schengen countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

GB, IE might be options, but then you may have to negotiate different Covid restrictions?

A few days in Croatia! Lovely place.

 

[Vince Rollason]

Hello fellow pilgrims,
I am travelling from Australia, planning my Camino Francis and would like to finish in Finisterre. The time required for this and our additional holiday after the Camino is a total of 100 days. We have been told by our travel agent we can only stay in Europe for 90 days. Has anyone had issues with staying longer than the 90 days in regard to the Schengen law.

HI Tony
I am not sure if this will help you but it may be worth a shot. I am planning to walk Via Francigena next year a walk of 2200km and I walk at 20k a day thereby needing at least 110 days even without rest days. Since the UK left the European Union, I am now affected by Schengen situation. However, my mother was born in the Republic of Ireland so I was able to apply for an Irish passport. This arrangement goes down to her grandchildren. If you have ancestors that were born in one of the Schengen countries this may be an option for you.
Buen Camino
Vince

 

[Tincatinker]

@Tony Bobcat I guess the thing is is this your one and only lifetime trip to Europe / the Schengens? If it is why worry. If it ain't - when in Rome do what foreigners who want to come back do...

 

[Tony Bobcat]

Consider planning your additional holiday outside of the schengen zone. Don’t overstay your welcome!

The 26 Schengen countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

GB, IE might be options, but then you may have to negotiate different Covid restrictions?

Hi Marbe2.
Just been advised by our travel agent that by travelling on a Maltese passport it is ok to stay the additional days. Thanks for your help

 

[trecile]

Hi Marbe2.
Just been advised by our travel agent that by travelling on a Maltese passport it is ok to stay the additional days. Thanks for your help

That makes sense since Malta is in the Schengen zone!

 

[Tony Bobcat]

@Tony Bobcat - Hi from Pretty Beach north of Sydney. In my experience, the Schengen rule is taken seriously. The limit is a total of 90 days in any 180 day period, so as others have noted, you can arrange your travels to spend 10 days or so in a non-Schengen country - that would probably be the simplest solution. If not, no-one will track you down on Day 91 - but you may well get caught up when exiting for your return flight - which would not be good if you hope to return in the future!

I don't know about other arrangements for individual countries. But I know that when we spend time in France / Spain etc - longer than 3 months - I can only do so with a pre-arranged long term visa which is not a straightforward process - .and I'm married to a Frenchman.

Best wishes for your plans and camino~

Hi jenny@Zen
All ok will use my Maltese passport ( dual citizen) and hopefully will be able to stay the extra days. Thanks for your help.

 

[Tony Bobcat]

Definitely don't overstay. They may not let you out. I had to wait several minutes at passport control whilst they manually checked all my entry/exit stamps. As a frequent traveller this is going to get painful.

Thanks for your help Simoneva
Cheers

 

[Tony Bobcat]

Here is a thread mentioning that.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/schengen-question.70546/

Hello Rick
Thanks for your help. Cheers

 

[Tony Bobcat]

How many days are you planning for the Camino Francés? What are your other plans for this trip?
I definitely wouldn't risk being unable to return to the Schengen zone in the future by overstaying!

As @Marbe2 said, while there is considerable overlap not all EU countries are in the Schengen zone, and not all Schengen countries are part of the EU.
Just make sure not to spend more than 90 days in Schengen countries.

Hello Trecile
Thanks for your help. Cheer

 

[Tony Bobcat]

Definitely something to take seriously if you want to return to a schengen country another year. Information here: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/consequences-of-overstaying-in-schengen-area/

Hello Sue127
Thanks for your help. Cheers

 

[Tony Bobcat]

A few days in Croatia! Lovely place.

Hello wanderingfriend
Sounds good, thanks for your help. Cheers

 

[Tony Bobcat]

HI Tony
I am not sure if this will help you but it may be worth a shot. I am planning to walk Via Francigena next year a walk of 2200km and I walk at 20k a day thereby needing at least 110 days even without rest days. Since the UK left the European Union, I am now affected by Schengen situation. However, my mother was born in the Republic of Ireland so I was able to apply for an Irish passport. This arrangement goes down to her grandchildren. If you have ancestors that were born in one of the Schengen countries this may be an option for you.
Buen Camino
Vince

Hello Vince
I actually have dual citizenship Australian and Maltese, Have been advised by our travel agent that it will be ok to stay the extra ten days.
I’m in the same boat as you, this Camino I want to take it easy and smell the roses. Thanks for your help. Cheers

 

[Tony Bobcat]

@Tony Bobcat I guess the thing is is this your one and only lifetime trip to Europe / the Schengens? If it is why worry. If it ain't - when in Rome do what foreigners who want to come back do...

Hello Tincatinker I will certainly be returning so will abide by their laws
Thanks for your advice. Cheers