How long have you been in Spain

[Captain Lloyd]

I came here in my MH in August I’ve been flying back and forwards since then most of the time I show my passport and get waved through, how can they possibly tell how long I’ve spent in the country.
How can it be determined how long my MH has been here.

 

[BreweryDave]

For you, a passport scan.
For the van, ferry or tunnel tickets.

 

[Captain Lloyd]

For you, a passport scan.
For the van, ferry or tunnel tickets.

As I said most of the time my passport doesn’t get scanned they’re really not interested

 

[tuscancouple]

As I said most of the time my passport doesn’t get scanned they’re really not interested

Oh they will be in 2021, when we're no longer part of the club!

Mick

 

[Captain Lloyd]

As I said most of the time my passport doesn’t get scanned they’re really not interested

I can show a ret

Oh they will be in 2021, when we're no longer part of the club!

Mick

Sure but that’s then

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[mikebeaches]

I came here in my MH in August I’ve been flying back and forwards since then most of the time I show my passport and get waved through, how can they possibly tell how long I’ve spent in the country.
How can it be determined how long my MH has been here.

If you mean 'flying', as on an aeroplane, then you will have to submit advance passenger and passport information - and that's on the record, even if you're waved through at Spanish immigration.

We flew to Spain on Sunday, but brought the van down at the beginning of October. Take it home early April. In the meantime, fly backwards and forwards.

We try to keep within the various rules* for the van, and for us as individuals. But I know plenty don't bother and appear to get away with it... at the moment!

But who knows after 31 December, beyond the transition period?

I reckon we will still be OK with our style of travel.

*180 days in 12 months for the van in Spain, and max 90 days in 180 - on a rolling basis - for us.

 

[Sundowners]

Our son just flew back to the UK from Portugal for a weeks holiday. He came down end of June, 2019. At passport control in Porto Airport, they said to him he’d gone slightly over on the time allowed, which is six months, how did they know that???

 

[nicholsong]

For you, a passport scan.
For the van, ferry or tunnel tickets.

It could have been in Portugal, France or Andorra for several periods.

 

[Captain Lloyd]

I have heard that Portugal is cl

Our son just flew back to the UK from Portugal for a weeks holiday. He came down end of June, 2019. At passport control in Porto Airport, they said to him he’d gone slightly over on the time allowed, which is six months, how did they know that???
[/QU

If you mean 'flying', as on an aeroplane, then you will have to submit advance passenger and passport information - and that's on the record, even if you're waved through at Spanish immigration.

We flew to Spain on Sunday, but brought the van down at the beginning of October. Take it home early April. In the meantime, fly backwards and forwards.

We try to keep within the various rules* for the van, and for us as individuals. But I know plenty don't bother and appear to get away with it... at the moment!

But who knows after 31 December, beyond the transition period?

I reckon we will still be OK with our style of travel.

*180 days in 12 months for the van in Spain, and max 90 days in 180 - on a rolling basis - for us.

As I understand API it is for our country’s information it is not privy to other countries.

If you mean 'flying', as on an aeroplane, then you will have to submit advance passenger and passport information - and that's on the record, even if you're waved through at Spanish immigration.

We flew to Spain on Sunday, but brought the van down at the beginning of October. Take it home early April. In the meantime, fly backwards and forwards.

We try to keep within the various rules* for the van, and for us as individuals. But I know plenty don't bother and appear to get away with it... at the moment!

But who knows after 31 December, beyond the transition period?

I reckon we will still be OK with our style of travel.

*180 days in 12 months for the van in Spain, and max 90 days in 180 - on a rolling basis - for us.

As I understand it API is collected by the home office for our country’s information it is not privy to the Spanish government.

 

[BreweryDave]

I Believe the onus of proof would be on you. If you were asked by some officialdom, they would assume you’ve been in any particular country too long, unless you can prove otherwise, with receipts etc. The same with insurance companies.
I base this on anecdotal things I’ve heard over the years, no direct experience, but seems logical.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Mikeco]

Our passports were definitely scanned when we left Santander port.

 

[mikebeaches]

I have heard that Portugal is cl


As I understand API it is for our country’s information it is not privy to other countries.

As I understand it API is collected by the home office for our country’s information it is not privy to the Spanish government.

To be honest, that is at variance with my understanding. I believed it was in fact provided to the country of arrival as part of the aircraft's manifest.

But I don't claim to be an expert on the subject.

 

[Augusta08]

Don't worry about it. They've got more to concern them than chasing tourist for arbitrary visa overstay.

Macron is fighting yellow jackets with tear gas and stun grenades, Spain hasn't got a working government and Barcelona seperatists , the whole EU is full of Iranian terrorists and the Mediterranean is full of would be migrants from Africa/Afghanistan/Syria. Noboby gives a stuff if a UK tourist has been here 91 days in the last 180.
Relax and have another Rioja .?

 

[Flamenca]

My passport was scanned leaving Spain via Bilbao last year and also scanned both entering and leaving France last autumn via Roscoff. When leaving France the passport control guy muttered something after scanning my passport but for all I know he might have said "don't come back"

 

[jumartoo]

Our son just flew back to the UK from Portugal for a weeks holiday. He came down end of June, 2019. At passport control in Porto Airport, they said to him he’d gone slightly over on the time allowed, which is six months, how did they know that???

They know!!!
And if they don't, and ask, you have to provide proof!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Captain Lloyd]

To be honest, that is at variance with my understanding. I believed it was in fact provided to the country of arrival as part of the aircraft's manifest.

But I don't claim to be an expert on the subject.
[/QUOTE

 

[Lenny HB]

How can it be determined how long my MH has been here.

ANPR cameras at the ports.

 

[Allanm]

What happens now is irrelevant, but in the future, UK residents will come under the same rules as other non EU residents. All this talk about the authorities being busy elsewhere is nonsense. Border control officers and their linked computer system don’t deal with Yellow Vest protests or chase terrorists and will have plenty of time to check how long you’ve been in the Schengen area, just as they do with visitors from other non EU countries.
But, there is talk of EU countries taking a more relaxed approach with UK travellers after the end of the year but only if that’s reciprocated by the UK government.
Until then, enjoy your freedom to travel........

Oh, and good luck with leaving the van in Spain. I have heard they are cracking down on UK reg vehicles in France and seizing vehicles that have been in the country longer than they are supposed to.

 

[Allanm]

Don't worry about it. They've got more to concern them than chasing tourist for arbitrary visa overstay.

Macron is fighting yellow jackets with tear gas and stun grenades, Spain hasn't got a working government and Barcelona seperatists , the whole EU is full of Iranian terrorists and the Mediterranean is full of would be migrants from Africa/Afghanistan/Syria. Noboby gives a stuff if a UK tourist has been here 91 days in the last 180.
Relax and have another Rioja .?

In his 2016 State of the Union Address, President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker has said the following:

We need to know who is crossing our borders. This way we will know who is travelling to Europe before they even get here.

The main reason for the approval of the ETIAS authorization is security. With the increased risk of travelers worldwide, the EU wants to ensure safe travels in its countries. The ETIAS will decrease security concerns substantially through its information and data gathering systems. What this means, is that the ETIAS will detect if a person is a threat in any way to the security of Schengen countries. This will lead to the person being denied entry and avoiding the threat from being present inside EU borders. It will basically deal with a problem before it is even there.
There are many countries who are not in the European Union (EU) whose citizens can enter the EU Schengen Zone without needing a visa. Specifically, there are currently 62 countries who are not in the EU, but are visa free.

Citizens of these countries are allowed to go into countries in the Schengen Zone for business or travel purposes for up to 90 days. During these 90 days, these visitors are not allowed to work or study, but can engage in business and tourism activities.

In addition, recent security concerns with terrorism and the migrant crisis have called for a better management of who is entering EU borders. The EU has continuously declared its goal of making travelling within its borders a more secure experience.

To reduce procedures and wait times, as well as address the security concerns, the European Commission (EC) has come up with a solution – ETIAS.

This article will contain all the information you need regarding this new system and whether you qualify for it.

What is ETIAS?
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System. It is a completely electronic system which allows and keeps track of visitors from countries who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone. In a way, it resembles the U.S Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which serves a similar purpose. The legal procedures to pass the ETIAS have started in 2016, and the system is expected to be in place by 2021.

The ETIAS will undergo a detailed security check of each applicant to determine whether they can be allowed to enter any Schengen Zone country. Since citizens of countries who do not need a visa for travel purposes of up to 90 days in the EU do not need to go through a long process of applying for the visa, the ETIAS will make sure that these people are not a security threat. This travel authorization system will gather, keep track of, and update necessary information regarding visitors to determine whether it is safe for them to enter Schengen countries.

The ETIAS, besides being used for business and tourist purposes, will also allow people to visit the Schengen countries for medical and transit reasons. In addition, it will be mandatory for all countries who are Schengen visa-free.

 

[Busman]

Our passports were definitely scanned when we left Santander port.

We just got waved passed the booths, no stopping.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Augusta08]

We just got waved thru at Dover, there is no real infrastructure to monitor and control. Sure if you've a US passport they will stamp it and that is open to inspection. But I drove over the Norwegian border without stopping twice last year. So if there's no entry stamp, they've got no chance of enforcement.
If they start putting entry stamps in I'm buggered, I generally spend 6-8 months a year in "Europe". I will just have to apply for my Carte de Sejour, which I qualify for having a house in France and being a French tax payer for the last 15 years.

 

[mikebeaches]

The information in this link indicates that API is shared with the relevant authorities at the arrival destination:

https://www.airportknowledge.com/glossary/advance-passenger-information-system

The purpose of API is to give international governments and agencies the ability to screen passengers in advance of arrival in the destination country. API must be delivered a minimum of 20 minutes before flight departure. Information is screened, and returned with any 'persons of interest' flagged.

 

[mikebeaches]

Advance Passenger Information (API) is now required to travel through Eurotunnel.

And I believe it is also the case on the ferries to and from Schengen countries as well?

 

[BillyS]

Seems a bit rediculous, us having to show passports, etc.
when hundreds of thousands of migrants can just meander round Europe willy nilly, without having to produce documents. Typical EU Beaurocracy

 

[jumartoo]

Seems a bit rediculous, us having to show passports, etc.
when hundreds of thousands of migrants can just meander round Europe willy nilly, without having to produce documents. Typical EU Beaurocracy

Hardly EU bureaucracy. It's not been implemented over the years. It's the UK that wants to stop freedom of movement.

The rest of the EU will still move about freely, as before, and as we once did.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Speve]

Oh, and good luck with leaving the van in Spain. I have heard they are cracking down on UK reg vehicles in France and seizing vehicles that have been in the country longer than they are supposed to.

Any evidence of this or is it just hearsay?

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
Portugal. Beware..The GNR have a box of tricks in their vehicles,that can access a computor "Somewhere" and tell if there are any outstanding Toll payments.... So, what else ? .. You often come across random GNR checks,Drugs- Drunk in charge,paper work all OK ( Your Insurance and MOT/ Matriculation are shown inside the windscreen in little see through pockets),got pulled over in our Porty car,showed all documents,bit of head scratching by one lad who showed my licence to another,my bottom went into Half a crown sixpence mode,he then pointed to the licence and said. " Don't forget,this needs renewing in two months time " Don't be fooled by the layed back attitude of Portugal. " The wheels grind exceeding slow........." But grind they do. You can beat the system (For a while) but if it catches up with you........ "Was it worth it ?". I was once an upright and COLD person,now living here,nearly horizontal and...WARM !!
Years ago,the UK customs could check when a group of "Sports Cars ? Whacky Races ? ".. Were on the same ferry,they would inform the French customs,who would inform the local Gendarms... So by the time they had got to Boulogne/wherever,most of them had been done for speeding. The writing IS joined up now.

Tea Bag

 

[Tea Bag]

Any evidence of this or is it just hearsay?

Hi.
Rob M. A very close mate had 24 hrs to get a car out of Portugal 2 years ago. Nuff said,Its coming up from the Algarve,crossing the T's and dotting the i's.?

 

[SmithsInFrance]

Not wishing to hijack the thread, but as we already live in France, I assume we will be able to travel freely around the Schengen zone because we are already based within it?

 

[jumartoo]

Not wishing to hijack the thread, but as we already live in France, I assume we will be able to travel freely around the Schengen zone because we are already based within it?

At the moment it seems you can have unlimited time in your country of residence and your country of citizenship and 90 days in 180 in the rest of Schengen.

Whether this is totally correct remains to be seen.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}