The Schengen visa allows you to visit all the countries of the Schengen zone, that is, these are countries that signed an agreement on a visa -free crossing of the border within their partnership. You can get a visa at the Embassy (Consulate) of the country, which will be indicated as the main goal of staying in the Schengen zone. When crossing borders between these countries, customs control is not required. It turns out that you can move between these states, as if you are not leaving the country, but just cross the boundaries of the regions inside it.
Features of obtaining a Schengen visa
For Russians, popular countries to obtain a cherished visa are Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Lithuania. These are countries of Eastern Europe, they are located close to Russia, many have relatives in these states. In these countries, it is easier to apply for a visa than other European states.
If you have a ban on the entrance to one country of the Schengen zone, then you will not get a visa to another country of Schengen.
To obtain a visa to different states, indicated as the main ones for visiting, you will need a different package of documents, which is established by the country on its own. Therefore, it is worth finding out in advance where it will be easier for you to arrange a visa, and then you can freely travel around Europe.
The Schengen visa allows you to freely move to the countries of the Schengen agreement, but a situation may arise when a particular state will resume customs control for certain reasons. Be ready for this.
Changes in the rules of stay in the Schengen zone
At the end of 2013, the rules for obtaining a visa and stay on a visa in the countries of the Schengen agreement were amended. If you need a Schengen visa – new rules must be studied in order not to get into a mess.
Earlier for the period of 180 days, it was possible to stay in the Schengen zone no more than 90 days. But in fact, this did not limit the staying. Those who receive a visa exclusively for vacation, and were in this territory for no more than three months. And people who periodically live in the Schengen zone, using a visa, could live there for 90 days, leave, thereby stopping the countdown of 180 days, re -get a visa and safely enter. Thus, the countdown 180 and 90 days began again.
The changes that entered into force in October 2013 violated such a harmony of tourists. Now, for the period of exactly 180 calendar days from the date of entry on a visa, you can live in the Schengen zone no more than 90 days. That is, when leaving it and the subsequent entry, the countdown does not start again, but continues until the six -month period is reached. As soon as the period of 180 days ends, you can re -enter, but not before.
These amendments to the rules of stay in visa-free space will only affect people who are in the countries participating in the agreements of the agreement, people who need to periodically travel to these states for work or those who have close relatives permanently in European countries.
In any case, these changes were inevitable. Before the introduction of new rules, for sure, it was implied the same, but the wording allowed to easily find loopholes.