My Christmas gift to you all…….How to avoid the 90/180 day restriction in the EU!!

[Barchetta47]

How’s it possible I hear you ask…….

I’ve just returned from a wine and dine day trip to France via P&O, great day out and a super lunch. On our return we booked in as usual with P&O and passed through the French Customs. We joined the extended UK Border Force queue and then when we were one car away from the booth a voice in the back of the car said”can you just check but I think the French only stamped 3 of our passports?”. Sure enough mine hadn’t been stamped. I had a brief chat with Border Force chap would said it made not difference to him and that there was no way of reversing up, so to speak. However if we were concerned he said we could exit the port and go round again to get stamped! He described the route and off we went out of the Port of Calais on to the dual/triple carriageway in to France without going through customs. Obviously in our case we doubled back at the first exit, got waved through the P&O check, had all our passports scanned for the second time in an hour at French Customs then made sure all four were stamped and off we went.

So my proposition is what’s to stop anyone doing as we did and starting off in France for an undetermined period without going through any customs check? Obviously you would need to throw away the cost of the return fare and if you wanted to safeguard yourselves you could book and pay for a Dover-Calais fare which you don’t use but can show as a proof that you travelled on a given date but other than that as far as I can see you are free and can travel for as long as you like. Perhaps as a safeguard you might book another non used Dover-Calais fare a couple of weeks before you return to show at French Customs if you are questioned.

So does anyone feel lucky?

 

[CAB96]

Eh?

I don't get it.

Which stamp are you avoiding?

 

[Carpmart]

I will stick to travelling freely with the Irish wife!

 

[scotjimland]

lost me ...

 

[cruiser]

Carpmart We hope that you are still enjoying your trip. We are back home now and freezing . . Happy travels

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[Gingernuts]

I will stick to travelling freely with the Irish wife!

Where do I get a free Irish wife?????

 

[Insider]

I have one if you interested

Where do I get a free Irish wife?????

I have one if you interested!!

Edit: my apologies. I have a black eye if you still interested....in me that is, not my wife obviously.

 

[Barchetta47]

Eh?

I don't get it.

Which stamp are you avoiding?

Sorry for the rambling post!

What I was trying to say was after clearing both French and UK customs in Calais, rather than boarding the ferry to UK, you can simply follow the exit route and you are back in France without having your passport stamped.

 

[Rapido666F]

Once upon a time people used to book two day trips to France: use the out leg on one day and the return leg a few weeks later. Computer systems caught up with them and the ferry companies started charging for FOUR single tickets!

Do you think your idea will allow you to get out eventually without anyone noticing?

Gordon

 

[Carpmart]

Carpmart We hope that you are still enjoying your trip. We are back home now and freezing . . Happy travels

Having a ball thanks! We are flying home in two weeks for Christmas, then back down to the warmth on NYD. Hope to catch up soon!

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[Charente16]

How do you explain to the French Border Guard on leaving that you have no Entry Stamp into France?

 

[CAB96]

Ah, I see.

You go to France, come back out, but then dodge back in before you board the ferry!

As that blonde (?) lady sang, you will be "Lost In France" .

Mmmmm, don't think you've thought this through though.

You don't have an entry stamp, so now you are "The Prisoner of Schengen".

Roaming the continent, hanging around Aires and Stellplatzes, telling any Brit who will listen of your tale of woe, "The Rime of the Ancient Motorhomer".

But apart from that, great idea

 

[TDub49]

Sorry for the rambling post!

What I was trying to say was after clearing both French and UK customs in Calais, rather than boarding the ferry to UK, you can simply follow the exit route and you are back in France without having your passport stamped.

Hmmm. What could go wrong . . . . .

 

[chaser]

Why? just stay there and save the ferry fare.

 

[Brains]

The idea may work for another year or so in certain ports
(Don't try the Netherlands, they employed an extra 50,000 staff to deal with the trade to the UK after Brexit).

But once the ESTAS is introduced, you will have to come up with a better excuse than 'they must have forgotten to stamp my passport'

However I think you get a really good rate from the people smugglers, as normally the UK to France run is a ballast run for them, so as long as you cover their fuel bill I'm sure they would be amenable

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[Manxcat]

Where do I get a free Irish wife?????

I've got one too

 

[Brains]

You go to France, come back out, but then dodge back in before you board the ferry!

You don't have an entry stamp, so now you are "The Prisoner of Schengen".
Roaming the continent, hanging around Aires and Stellplatzes, telling any Brit who will listen of your tale of woe, "The Rime of the Ancient Motorhomer".
But apart from that, great idea

"The Prisoner of Schengen".

Once upon a time in old Europe's land,
A mariner wandered, lost upon the strand.
Bound by Schengen's rules, stuck in a foreign maze,
Twas a challenge, dear traveller, to escape its hazy haze.

Oh, the mariner's heart longed for freedom's shore,
To sail unencumbered, forevermore.
But alas! The Schengen rules, like an albatross 'round his neck,
Kept his dreams grounded, his spirit a wreck.

Like a prisoner confined, he yearned to explore,
To cross borders freely, to roam forevermore.
But Schengen's chains held him in their sway,
Limiting his movements, day after day.

In one land he would dwell, for a mere 90 days,
Then the clock would reset, and he'd wander new ways.
But like the ancient mariner, cursed on the sea,
He couldn't escape the chains that held him, you see.

Oh, the frustration, the longing for more,
To experience cultures, to venture ashore.
But Schengen's cold grasp held tight its rein,
Leaving the mariner with nothing but pain.

He dreamt of the mountains, the rivers, the seas,
Of museums and castles, of ancient mysteries.
But Schengen's borders stood tall and strong,
Limiting his adventures, all too long.

So the mariner sighed and bided his time,
Finding solace in stories, in rhythm and rhyme.
He wove tales of travels, of lands far and wide,
Of the beauty and wonders held deep inside.

For though he remained stuck, bound by the rule,
His heart soared in dreams, his spirit kept fuel.
And one day, he knew, his shackles would break,
And he'd be free again, his own path to take.

So take heart, dear traveller, stuck in Schengen's reign,
Though the road may be long, filled with longing and pain.
For the mariner's tale reminds us all true,
That even in confinement, dreams can break through.

(Courtesy of FunBot)

 

[Landy Andy]

Where do I get a free Irish wife?????

You can get one, but they certainly are not free. V high running costs I’ve found.

 

[Bessy765]

When they put your passport through the barcode reader it records entry and exit, the stamp is just for a visual check you will be on the system. If you overstay your 90 days and think you have got away with it you may find out although they may not bring it to your attention when returning to the UK the net time you land in the Zone they might refuse you entry and send you back so wasting the cost of your crossing?

 

[frwjd]

Why, oh why would you want to get your passport stamped!!?

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[CAB96]

When they put your passport through the barcode reader it records entry and exit, the stamp is just for a visual check you will be on the system. If you overstay your 90 days and think you have got away with it you may find out although they may not bring it to your attention when returning to the UK the net time you land in the Zone they might refuse you entry and send you back so wasting the cost of your crossing?

They don't have a joined up database yet, so the stamps are still required.

That will come with the ETIAS.

 

[CAB96]

"The Prisoner of Schengen".

Once upon a time in old Europe's land,
A mariner wandered, lost upon the strand.
Bound by Schengen's rules, stuck in a foreign maze,
Twas a challenge, dear traveller, to escape its hazy haze.

Oh, the mariner's heart longed for freedom's shore,
To sail unencumbered, forevermore.
But alas! The Schengen rules, like an albatross 'round his neck,
Kept his dreams grounded, his spirit a wreck.

Like a prisoner confined, he yearned to explore,
To cross borders freely, to roam forevermore.
But Schengen's chains held him in their sway,
Limiting his movements, day after day.

In one land he would dwell, for a mere 90 days,
Then the clock would reset, and he'd wander new ways.
But like the ancient mariner, cursed on the sea,
He couldn't escape the chains that held him, you see.

Oh, the frustration, the longing for more,
To experience cultures, to venture ashore.
But Schengen's cold grasp held tight its rein,
Leaving the mariner with nothing but pain.

He dreamt of the mountains, the rivers, the seas,
Of museums and castles, of ancient mysteries.
But Schengen's borders stood tall and strong,
Limiting his adventures, all too long.

So the mariner sighed and bided his time,
Finding solace in stories, in rhythm and rhyme.
He wove tales of travels, of lands far and wide,
Of the beauty and wonders held deep inside.

For though he remained stuck, bound by the rule,
His heart soared in dreams, his spirit kept fuel.
And one day, he knew, his shackles would break,
And he'd be free again, his own path to take.

So take heart, dear traveller, stuck in Schengen's reign,
Though the road may be long, filled with longing and pain.
For the mariner's tale reminds us all true,
That even in confinement, dreams can break through.

(Courtesy of FunBot)

Brilliant!

That is really very good, only a few things which didn't quite ring true, but I wouldn't have guessed AI unless you had put the disclaimer.

 

[scotjimland]

 

[carolyn]

When they put your passport through the barcode reader it records entry and exit, the stamp is just for a visual check you will be on the system. If you overstay your 90 days and think you have got away with it you may find out although they may not bring it to your attention when returning to the UK the net time you land in the Zone they might refuse you entry and send you back so wasting the cost of your crossing?

Not true, all it tells them is if you have any sort of criminal record against you. Daughter plus her boyfriend are in FCDO and tell me this is still true. His dad is in Home Office as well so I think they’re more up to date than us lot. I do keep checking.

 

[Barchetta47]

When they put your passport through the barcode reader it records entry and exit, the stamp is just for a visual check you will be on the system. If you overstay your 90 days and think you have got away with it you may find out although they may not bring it to your attention when returning to the UK the net time you land in the Zone they might refuse you entry and send you back so wasting the cost of your crossing?

At the moment I’m pretty not sure that’s true. The 3 other people in the car exited through French and UK Border control for the second time within the hour and were not pulled over or questioned as to why they had no French entry stamps or hadn't been registered on their customs computer. Obviously UK Border Force simply don’t care.

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[nicholsong]

At the moment I’m pretty not sure that’s true. The 3 other people in the car exited through French and UK Border control for the second time within the hour and were not pulled over or questioned as to why they had no French entry stamps or hadn't been registered on their customs computer. Obviously UK Border Force simply don’t care.

Why should UK Border Force 'care', because if they are all UK Citizens they have the right to enter and leave UK at will. We do not pay them to police EU/Schengen rules.

 

[jumartoo]

Why should UK Border Force 'care', because if they are all UK Citizens they have the right to enter and leave UK at will. We do not pay them to police EU/Schengen rules.

Although you say that, we were once given almost the third degree, entering the UK from Spain. How long have you been out, how long are you coming in for, etcetera, etcetera even as Spanish residents we are still UK citizens.

I felt like a criminal

 

[nicholsong]

Although you say that, we were once given almost the third degree, entering the UK from Spain. How long have you been out, how long are you coming in for, etcetera, etcetera even as Spanish residents we are still UK citizens.

I felt like a criminal

I would have been inclined to say that the questions were improper unless he/she thought my passport was fake.

When I first held a Commercial Pilot's Licence the first page gave the holder the right to enter the UK at any time. I once(off-duty) presented that and was waived through. Licences do not have that page now.

Also, at that time, one could enter UK without a passport if one could convince the Immigration Officer that one was British. I imagine that has changed.

 

[Jim]

Also, at that time, one could enter UK without a passport if one could convince the Immigration Officer that one was British. I imagine that has changed.

Speaking like that they'd have no need to look at one's passport

 

[jumartoo]

I would have been inclined to say that the questions were improper unless he/she thought my passport was fake.

When I first held a Commercial Pilot's Licence the first page gave the holder the right to enter the UK at any time. I once(off-duty) presented that and was waived through. Licences do not have that page now.

Also, at that time, one could enter UK without a passport if one could convince the Immigration Officer that one was British. I imagine that has changed.

Knowing then, what I know now, I would have queried their questions.

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