Another Schengen Thread

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by haiqu

Difference is that you'll get a cruising permit for 12 months, not 90 days.

12 months not long enough for somewhere so far away - at least for me. It's not fair .....if only their were other countries in easy sailing reach that only took a bit of forethought to include into my plans...........

As for millions turning up and staying, we had just that in the 1970s and even subsidised them. Ever heard of the Ten Pound Tourist?

The Ten Pound Poms ........IIRC, that was part of the White Australia program .

[haiqu]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

NZ and OZ visitors need to look at individual EU country immigration facilities. IN most case NZ and some OZ residents can available of 3-6 months visa in each country effectively giving you years in the med.

Dave

All very well if you know exactly where you want to go a year before leaving, apply for all the visas then set sail. Organizing it on the fly - especially with the language difficulties - wouldn't really be viable.

If I wanted a fixed itinerary I'd get on an airplane or a cruise ship.

[haiqu]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

12 months not long enough for somewhere so far away - at least for me. It's not fair .....if only their were other countries in easy sailing reach that only took a bit of forethought to include into my plans...........

OK, now imagine having to go that far and then move to a different unknown country with a new language and culture every three months. Nightmare territory.

The Ten Pound Poms ........IIRC, that was part of the White Australia program .

Yup.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by haiqu

OK, now imagine having to go that far and then move to a different unknown country with a new language and culture every three months. Nightmare territory.

Europeans fundamentally pretty much the same as other folks in the West (except some wave arms around a bit more than usual ) - they just talk a different lingo .

Easy enough to pick up the basics (numbers = cash , and a few pleasantaries - and how to order a beer and tell the locals to eff orf ) will get you quite far, for the rest there is the phrase book - or getting to know folks who are bilingual (locals or other foreigners).

......outside Europe folks can be very different in attitude / mentality as well as lingo, for some that is fun - for others a living nightmare (for me in SEA it was both!) - my advice is to start of on the beaten path (everywhere has one to some degree) rather than starting of in a place which is not used to dealing with (or seeing?!) any foreigners........but what's the point of going foreign if everyone is exactly the same as at home? .

TBH, once you get used to being in places where your lingo is limited and the locals all look a bit odd - it really don't matter which country you are in!.....what you learn is the ability to deal with that, and mostly that playing self in slowly and not sweating that yer don't know everything on day 1 (and likely won't get "everything" even after 20 years!).

And don't forget the old native English speakers foreign lingo "trick" - speak slowly and loudly whilst either waving arms around or miming what you are after.....it doesn't always help - but tends to keep the locals amused .

[svmariane]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

... And don't forget the old native English speakers foreign lingo "trick" - speak slowly and loudly whilst either waving arms around or miming what you are after.....it doesn't always help - but tends to keep the locals amused .

Laughed outright at that! {And almost spilled the morning coffee... }

Thanks!

[haiqu]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

Europeans fundamentally pretty much the same as other folks in the West (except some wave arms around a bit more than usual ) - they just talk a different lingo .

¿Qué?

Easy enough to pick up the basics (numbers = cash , and a few pleasantaries - and how to order a beer and tell the locals to eff orf ) will get you quite far, for the rest there is the phrase book - or getting to know folks who are bilingual (locals or other foreigners).

A friend of mine once traveled Germany only knowing two phrases:

1. Two beers please.
2. My friend will pay.

He explained that if someone wouldn't pay, he wasn't really his friend.

......outside Europe folks can be very different in attitude / mentality as well as lingo, for some that is fun - for others a living nightmare (for me in SEA it was both!) - my advice is to start of on the beaten path (everywhere has one to some degree) rather than starting of in a place which is not used to dealing with (or seeing?!) any foreigners........but what's the point of going foreign if everyone is exactly the same as at home? .

"That's the problem with travel, too many bleedin' foreigners." - Anon

[LJScott]

Do you have any idea what amount of $ in the bank that various countries may be wanting to see in order to obtain a long stay Visa? Do 401K funds apply? My husband and I just bought a new boat and took her to Greece. We plan to spend six months sailing in the Med beginning next May and would REALLY like to avoid making our way to Turkey or Croatia for three of the six months if we can.

[jstevens]

LJ,
I'm not sure there is a minimum bank account balance that the countries are looking for. I believe they are more interested in proof that you have the financial means to support yourself during the extended stay. When I applied for a visa extension in Portugal in 2006 they wanted to see copies of my bank statements for the past 3 months. They wanted to see a sustainable financial situation - i.e., withdrawals not out of balance with deposits. Back then I had a steady income from a pension and SSA and withdrawals in line with that income. I'm sure they have specific criteria they were looking for, but my situation satisfied them.

John

[boatman61]

If you buy a house in Spain these days you get automatic residency... stay as long as you like in Schengen.. believe Portugal has just started a similar thing..

[Katiusha]

Originally Posted by boatman61

If you buy a house in Spain these days you get automatic residency... stay as long as you like in Schengen.. believe Portugal has just started a similar thing..

How does that work with VAT on the boat? Would buying a house also automatically make you liable for boat VAT?

[boatman61]

Doubt it as its property you are bringing over.. they want foreign exchange.. why chase the goose away..

[idpnd]

You become tax res if youre there for more than 181 days or so..

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by boatman61

If you buy a house in Spain these days you get automatic residency... stay as long as you like in Schengen.. believe Portugal has just started a similar thing..

Yes but the amount was raised I think to 500,000 or even more I think

Dave

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by boatman61

If you buy a house in Spain these days you get automatic residency... stay as long as you like in Schengen.. believe Portugal has just started a similar thing..

Furthermore its gives you residency in Spain only. Schengen still applies elsewhere

Dave

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Katiusha

How does that work with VAT on the boat? Would buying a house also automatically make you liable for boat VAT?

No the two are seperate

Dave