sarasota

I have researched and researched and can seriously not get a straight answer. We've talked to consulates even. I understand the Schengen agreement fully. But we were hoping to stay for 6 months. We won't be working or students. And getting an extension seems impossible. But what confuses me is that I know of many people (not personally but it seems like everyone knows a friend) who over the last 5 years have travelled Europe for 9 months or a year. I've read blogs of people doing it. So it seems like it's possible. Is it because they are just risking it? Is there a way we haven't figured out yet? Do they actually check passports?

Michael

Not all of Europe is in the Schengen zone.

Tulips

As Michael says, not all countries are in the Schengen zone. Make an itinerary, and see how long you will be in Schengen countries. Don't stay longer than 90 days, in any 180 day period.

I don't know how other people do this - maybe a student visum?

They do stamp your passport coming in and out of Schengen. If you stay longer than allowed, you will be breaking the law.

dreamon

How old are you? There are special visas for youth (used to be under 27 but have heard they've upped it).

The other things that I don't understand (on a similar line) is how people buy property in Europe when they have no connection to the country, when I hear contradictory things like you have to be Italian to buy in Italy, Greek to buy in Greece, etc. I'm guessing it's a myriad of different laws.

I don't really understand why the EU restricts people from staying more than 3 months if they can demonstrate that they can support themselves without working. By all means send them home if they work illegally. When I was young, it was a right of passage for Australians to travel extensively in Europe and many assume that they can do it because their parents did it - but not so any more, of course.

I certainly wouldn't be tempted to do anything illegal for fear of consequences in the future.

I'll be interested to hear what responses you get. I would love to spend 6 months somewhere in Europe when I retire.

sparkchaser

You basically have three options:

1. You can get a 6 month visa from a Schengen member country and with that visa you're free to travel within the Schengen area for 6 months. Technically you're supposed to spend the majority of the time in the country that you have the visa for but that's fairly unenforceable.

2. Spend 90 days in the Schengen area and spend the other 90 days in non-Schengen area states in Europe.

3. Overstay your 90 day Schnegen visa and hope and pray that you don't get caught and deported.

hetismij2

Europe restricts people from staying longer just as the US or Australia does. I don't see why so many people have a problem with that.

You can apply for a long stay Schengen visa. You must prove you can support yourself and have healthcare insurance for the entire stay.
Some nationalities are allowed longer in certain countries, I believe New Zealanders are allowed 6 months in the Netherlands for instance.

People who stay longer either have a visa, an EU passport or are here illegally. The latter is not recommended.

nytraveler

They do it by either:

1)Holding a passport that allows them to stay longer

2)Staying 90 days in Schengen and 90 days outside (for instance, in the UK)

3) Staying illegally and risking large fines and bans from Schengen if they are caught

StCirq

<<The other things that I don't understand (on a similar line) is how people buy property in Europe when they have no connection to the country, when I hear contradictory things like you have to be Italian to buy in Italy, Greek to buy in Greece, etc. I'm guessing it's a myriad of different laws.>>

You find a property you like and write a check or send a wire. If not paying in full in cash, you get a mortgage. You open a bank account. Not much different from anywhere else.

WeisserTee

Even if you're seniors, what's wrong with getting yourself student visas and doing some studying while you're there -- art, languages, history, etc. It's a great way to learn more about where you're staying and meeting other people -- yes, the majority of students will be in their 20s, but there will also be plenty of older students.

I loved my Goethe Institut experience in Dresden and the age of the other students in my class alone ranged from 19 to over 70 and came from places as diverse as Vietnam, Brazil, Greece, Italy, Portugal and the United States. I learned far more about Dresden, Saxony and Germany in general as a student than I would have spending a month in Dresden as a tourist.

If there's one place that really interests you, base yourself there for three months -- you'll still have ample opportunities for day tripping on week-ends etc. Then spend three months traveling. If my employer would have let me taken more than a month in Dresden, I would have jumped at the opportunity to stay there for three months!

hetismij2

If you read OP's other thread you will realise they have three children, so a student visa is not a viable option. Student visas have strict qualifying requirements.
They can apply for long stay Schengen visas, or opt to spend three of their six months in non Schengen lands.