A clever workaround has emerged in the face of the contentious Schengen 90/180-day rule, which has been a post-Brexit challenge for UK nationals making regular visits to European Union countries.
Despite the official transition occurring four years ago, confusion lingers not only among Britons but also within the authorities, specifically regarding cruise holidays within the EU.
An investigation by the Olive Press unveiled the truths surrounding cruises and their impact on the 90-day Schengen allowance after noticing a surge in inquiries on social media about the rules governing European cruises and their implications on a British national’s 90-day limit.
While British authorities remained unable to provide concrete information on how EU cruises align with the 90-day limit, deferring to the European Union’s regulations, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) offered insights.
“Calls in EU ports by cruise ships in the course of a voyage are considered as transit and do not count against the 90 days rule,” clarified a spokesperson from CLIA. However, an exception was outlined for cruises originating in the UK and concluding in the EU, triggering the Schengen entry registration.
The European Commission initially provided no official information on its websites, leaving the matter shrouded in uncertainty. After persistent inquiries, an EC spokesperson finally unraveled the mystery, distinguishing between cruises exclusively visiting Schengen ports and those with stops outside the area.
“For passengers on cruises solely within the Schengen area, the entire duration of the cruise counts as one stay and may last up to three months in any six-month period. For cruises with stops outside the Schengen area, the three-month count pauses when the ship exits Schengen and resumes upon re-entry,” the spokesperson said.
In this intricate dance with EU travel regulations, British tourists have showcased their resourcefulness.
Days spent at sea are treated equivalently to days in European ports, and despite the looming implementation of the new Entry Exits System (EES) to automate registration, concerns persist about inconsistent passport stamping practices.
