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BlueMTexpat

(15,699 posts)
18. Amsterdam and Berlin
Tue Nov 17, 2015, 07:33 PM
Nov 2015

are both within the Schengen zone. You had to present your papers when you first entered Continental Europe (via Amsterdam?) and you will likely have to present them again when you leave. You don't usually have to present them within the zone again unless there is some kind of a spot check in exceptional circumstances or some situation.

Here's the Schengen area: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area

The UK, which you mentioned earlier, is not part of the Schengen zone. It is, however, part of the EU. Switzerland, where I have lived for the past 20+ years, is not part of the EU. It is, however, part of the Schengen zone. Neither the UK nor Switzerland is part of the Eurozone.

It does make one's head spin a bit.

A long-time US expat friend who has residence in Thailand (mainly for medical reasons), but who has spent much of the past couple years subletting in Paris flew from Paris to Thailand via Helsinki last year. She had no trouble boarding her plane to Helsinki in Paris, but when she tried to board her flight from Helsinki (the Schengen zone departure point), she was stopped, questioned, and ultimately received a stiff fine (several thousand Euros) because - unbeknownst to her - her French residence had gone beyond its validity point. She had been under the mistaken impression that traveling from France into Switzerland would count as leaving the Schengen area for an automatic renewal. It doesn't since Switzerland is part of Schengen.

They did finally let her leave from Helsinki but informed her that she would not be allowed to re-enter the Schengen zone again at any entrance point until she had resolved her residence situation with the French consulate in Thailand. Much of her short visit in Thailand was spent in completing paperwork to re-enter Europe.

That was a lesson she will not soon forget.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

We can only hope SoCalNative Nov 2015 #1
Why? eom BlueMTexpat Nov 2015 #2
Because while it's nice to travel unemcumbered SoCalNative Nov 2015 #5
I live in Europe. BlueMTexpat Nov 2015 #7
I currently live in Europe too SoCalNative Nov 2015 #10
Ah yes, passport controls BlueMTexpat Nov 2015 #12
"People must present passports to enter the Schengen zone SoCalNative Nov 2015 #14
Amsterdam and Berlin BlueMTexpat Nov 2015 #18
When I first moved here SoCalNative Nov 2015 #22
That is so. BlueMTexpat Nov 2015 #23
Wow TransitJohn Nov 2015 #16
Two things are going to happen: EL34x4 Nov 2015 #3
It's sad but Schengen has to go LittleBlue Nov 2015 #4
+1000 smirkymonkey Nov 2015 #8
Yes. n/t Moondog Nov 2015 #6
Liberal post-war Europe is gone. Dawson Leery Nov 2015 #9
Yes. The right hates Schengen and loves nationalism with its strong borders. It is coming back. pampango Nov 2015 #11
My sister in law and her family crossed the border yesterday from France to Geneva CBGLuthier Nov 2015 #13
By Sunday, things were a bit looser, I understand. BlueMTexpat Nov 2015 #21
The EU is not a unified polity. In a democracy the citizens need democratic control CJCRANE Nov 2015 #15
So Terrorists aren't just helping to destroy the U.S., but Europe as well AZ Progressive Nov 2015 #17
I love how so many here - presumably US citizens - BlueMTexpat Nov 2015 #19
Well, the area is named after a small town in Luxembourg where the treaty was signed DFW Nov 2015 #20
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