Cruising the Mediterranean is a dream for many Australian sailors, and with the right planning, it can be done smoothly while complying with European Schengen Zone Rules and regulations. This Schengen visa guide outlines how to navigate the Schengen visa rules, suggests popular cruising destinations, and explains how to stay longer than 90 days in Europe legally.

Schengen Visa Guide Basics

The Schengen Area is a zone of 27 European countries that have abolished internal borders for travel. Australians do not need to apply for a visa in advance — upon entry, you are automatically granted a Schengen short-stay exemption, which allows you to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism or business.

This 90/180-day rule means:

• You can spend a total of 90 days within Schengen countries during any 180-day window.
• After reaching the 90-day limit, you must spend at least 90 days outside the Schengen Area before re-entering.

Common Schengen and Non-Schengen Countries for Cruisers

TMG Yachts clients often plan their sailing routes to alternate between Schengen and non-Schengen countries. This helps them stay continuously in the Mediterranean without overstaying visa limits.

Schengen Countries

• Malta 🇲🇹
• Greece 🇬🇷
• Croatia 🇭🇷 (joined Schengen in January 2023)

Non-Schengen Countries

By carefully planning your movements between these regions, you can effectively “pause” your Schengen time and extend your Mediterranean cruising season.

• Turkey 🇹🇷
• Albania 🇦🇱
• Montenegro 🇲🇪

How to Stay in Europe Longer than 90 Days

If you wish to remain in Europe beyond the standard 90-day limit, there are two main options available to Australians:

1. National Long-Stay Visas (Visa de Long Séjour)

Several Schengen countries offer long-stay visas that allow you to legally reside in a specific country for more than 90 days. These visas are issued by individual countries, and the time spent under such a visa does not count toward your Schengen 90-day total.

Here are some popular options:

Important: These visas usually require you to apply before you enter Europe, often from your home country. Supporting documents like bank statements, proof of accommodation, and travel insurance are typically required.

2. Bilateral Visa Waiver Agreements

Australia has bilateral visa agreements with several Schengen countries, including:

• Belgium 🇧🇪
• Denmark 🇩🇰
• The Netherlands 🇳🇱
• Norway 🇳🇴

These agreements allow Australians to stay an additional 60 to 90 days in these specific countries, independently of the 90-day Schengen limit.

For example:

• You could spend 90 days in the Schengen Area.
• Then spend an additional 90 days in France under the bilateral agreement.
• After that, another 90 days in Germany, and so on.

Note: These stays must be clearly documented, and confirmation from consulates is strongly recommended to avoid issues with border control. Not all border officials may be aware of the bilateral terms, so carrying printed confirmation can be helpful.

The information provided in this document is intended as a general Schengen visa guide only and is based on publicly available sources at the time of writing. Schengen visa rules, regulations and entry requirements are subject to change without notice and may vary depending on individual circumstances.

TMG Yachts is not a licensed immigration or legal advisor. We strongly recommend that you undertake your own independent research and consult directly with the relevant consulates, immigration authorities and licenced immigrations advisors.