Schengen Zone question
 

My DH and I are planning a mini sabbatical of sorts in Europe, primarily France, and ideally we'd like to stay about 4 months. We have toyed with the idea of applying for a French Visa for the trip in order to stay over the 90 day in 180 limit.

But we also realized we'd like to spend some time inScotland/ Ireland, Turkey and possibly Morocco. Since these three countries are not in the Schengen Zone could we be in France for about 6 weeks to 2 months and then visit these additional countries during the trip and then when we return to the Schengen zone we would use up our additional remainder of the 90 days?

I keep reading conflicting information but this seems like it should be okay based on the language I am reading an the schengen visa entry. We are US citizens.

thank you everyone for your assistance on this. Kelly

You can stay visa free for 90 days in any 180, so yes, you can stay in france for 2 months, visit non Schenegn countries for a month or more and then use up your remaining time back in Schengen.
You will need to do careful counting though as the days you arrive and the days you leave count towards your 90 days.

Schengen Zone questions about the time limit always amuse me. There are NO questions about the time limit. It is 90 days in any 180 calendar day period. That is a simple black and white fact.

So the answer is you will be fine if you do not exceed 90 days in any 180 calendar day period.

It's those Schengen stamps you get that show your travel history, so make sure your passports are stamped each time you enter (when you get a stamp with arrow pointing inside) and leave (a stamp with arrow pointing outside) the Schengen zone. I know border officials are sometimes lazy and wave you through, but insist they stamp your travel documents. Also keep your boarding passes, hotel receipts etc as further proof. This is actually mentioned in Schengen border manual so it makes sense.

thanks everyone!