Getting around the Schengen zone
 

I am currently in Vienna, Austria and originally landed in Germany on September 25th 2013. I then continued my flight to Austria and stayed until November 11th 2013, again flying out of Germany that same day (a 51 day total in the Schengen zone). I then returned to Germany on December 30th 2013 and came to Austria once again. I have been here since then (this time in the Schengen zone for 30 days so far). So my total time in the zone is 81 days so far.

I realize that my first trip started the clock on my 90 and 180 day period. My plain ticket is for March 4th, which leaves me with about a month of overstaying if I stay here. I am wondering how I could get an extension with such short notice, being that I have plenty of savings to show that I am financial responsible. I am also a 100% service connected Navy veteran with a pension which even grants me a Department of Defense ID card, for entering military bases. I apologize if this seems like a topic that has already been answered but These circumstances might make my situation different.

I am willing to travel to a non-Schengen zone country like, Romania in particular, but the person that I talked to on the phone at the US consulate told me that Romania might not even except me with such little time left for me in the Schengen Zone. If I leave to non-Schengen country does my time in the Schengen zone stop and I can use the remaining 8 days to get to my flight in Austria and Germany in March?

>>I am wondering how I could get an extension with such short notice<<

Short answer is - you can't.

You have 8 days remaining - the rest will need to be outside of Schengen.

>> If I leave to non-Schengen country does my time in the Schengen zone stop and I can use the remaining 8 days to get to my flight in Austria and Germany in March?<<

Should do

Why did the lady at the consulate (Austrian in American consulate), she was short and rude with me on the phone, tell me that Romania might not except me with so little Schengen time left? And Will I have a problem getting back into the Schengen zone from Romania when I come back to Austria to catch my flight on the 4th of march...as long as I make sure not to use more than my remaining 8 days?

She told me that I can't go to Romania and then come back here to catch my flight. She told me to change my flight instead, as if going to Romania won't help because they are in the EU...

The US consulate isn't in the business of telling you how to get around Schengen rules. Maybe she was just having a bad day. Or maybe you ticked her off. Or maybe Romanian border agents are known for being nasty a$$es. Who Knows????

Lots of travelers hop around Europe to make their 90 day allotment work/fit into a longer trip. Maybe there is something special about your situation. But a travel site can't really help you much.

Romania is aiming to join Schengen this year, and because of this it is being very careful about who it allows in from Schengen. They do not want to screw up their chances of joining by being used as a safe haven by overstayers.
I can quite see why Austria wouldn't let you back in.

You need to change your flight and get out on time, or change your flight departure to a non Schengen country like the UK and go there this week.

You may get away with leaving Austria this week for the UK and just transiting through Austria on a flight home, if it is a direct flight from Austria, but you could be pushing your luck on that one. If your flight actually leaves from Germany then you have no chance, unless you can change the one leg to a flight from the UK to your departure airport. Seriously though to be safe you need to leave this week.

I'm sure these posts are just wind ups....

you have plenty of money - simply change your ticket and leave the 'twilight' zone this week

Why would they care in Romania as long as I can show my bank statement and let them see that I am financially secure as well as a United States Veteran with an Active Department of Defense ID card.

I think the answer is two posts above...

Why would Romania care about you being a US Veteran? No offence meant but what does this have to do with schengen rules?

I thought that they might look more favorable on me since we are allies. I understand that the time is suspended on my Schengen visa as long as I am in a non Schengen country, why would Romania care as long as I can show them my return flight from Austria? Why would Germany care if I went outside if the Schengen zone and used up my remaining days to travel home?

Being a US Veteran or allies does not get you special privileges... Not sure why you would think it would.

Anyways, no one here on a travel board will be able to give you satisfactory responses. All we can do is guess as to why, like the post did regarding Romania' s intent to join schengen.

Being a US veteran gives you no status in another country. Their rules and laws still apply, just as US laws apply to visitors from other countries. Just go to the UK for a visit, or catch a flight back to the US sooner.

Why do most seem to think that the UK or going home is my only option? has no one else actually been in this situation and done it differently?

<i>has no one else actually been in this situation and done it differently?</i>

Schengen questions get a LOT of skepticism on this board because there are many queries on how to work within the restrictions or, in many cases, game the system. So your inquiry does not have a welcoming audience.

That said, the rules are what they are. Your best bet is to leave Schengenville and return to take your flight home or just go back to the US.

So in your opinion do you think that Romania is a viable option? Or is the fact that they are trying to get into the Schengen zone make them a bad choice for working the system?

Romania is not a viable option. i have already said that, as did the person you spoke to in Austria.

Why do you think being a veteran gives you privledges? Do you think the US would look on a European veteran more kindly when they overstayed their 90 days, because they are Allies? I don't.

Like so many who come here looking to buck the system you don't like the answers you are getting and are still looking for someone to say sure break the law, who cares, of course it doesn't matter.
You as a veteran, of all people, should be respecting the laws of other countries, especially those of your allies.
You have now got 7 days in which to change your flights and get out of the country. Pay the change fee and leave.

I am not trying to break the law. WTF? I simply asked why the UK is my only option... I am trying to do things in a way that I don't over stay my 90 days, you are treating me as if I have already broken the law and overstayed! I AM trying to do this in a legal fashion but you seem to only want for me to come to your territory, the UK...

You could also go to one of the former Yugoslavian countries (except Slovenia), or Turkey.

So ignore the advice, take a belligerent tone and do what you want. Get banned from the Schengen zone, then tell the officials at the airport what an upright guy you are. You are getting good advice, as well as a real explanation about the probable reasons Romania might not want to dance with you.

This is a travel forum. And yes, you are trying to get around the law. You are taking a chance attempting to return for your flight home. None of us can tell you exactly what will/may/might happen, but these opinions come from a more informed place than you are currently sitting in.

Try not to shoot the messenger.

I am NOT trying to get around the law by breaking the law. I am merely asking if going to the UK or leaving are my only options.. I really don't understand how I am risking taking my original flight from Austria and leaving out of Germany of I have days left in the Schengen zone. I still have 8 days. Why can't I go out of the Schengen zone and then use my remaining days to flight out?

You can. Get out in the next couple of days, then you have days left to get your flight home.
The reason I suggested the UK is that they are never going to join Schengen and allow US citizens 6 months visa free entry.
Any EU country not yet in Schengen other than the UK and Ireland will be joining Schengen sooner or later and will be reluctant to break Schengen visa rules.

Whether the airline will allow you to fly into Austria with only a short time left on your visa is another matter. If Austria refuses you entry to get your ongoing flight then the airline is stuck with you.