Hello..first time poster here!
I have been in Madrid for almost 9 months and my visa (90 day) is expired. My question is about traveling within Europe on an expired visa stamped passport (US passport). I have an opportunity to fly to Rome for a weekend, but I am a little scared that I will be denied entry or reentry back into Spain. However when I first arrived , I flew to Paris and noone even looked at my passport other than for ID purposes at the check-in counter. What is the deal with customs if you are flying within Europe? Almost everyone has told me that if you fly within the EU, there will be no problems? Anyone have any experience with this?

Hi Nik,

From what I can tell, most people are fine most of the time, but they have gotten stricter and I know of at least one American mm member who had a very nerve-wracking trip last year. I guess it ended up ok, but she might have some strong reservations about trying it again. So, probably you'd probably be fine, but no one here can absolutely guarantee it.

i agree with Jules.

most likely you will be fine but there are no guarantees.

saludos,
jer...

I flew into England over the holidays and got the 3rsd degree, was a bit of a shock becuase I'm not used to it. I can't remember the last time I had to show my passport. Within the border free zone of europe (can't remember the proper word) you don't require a passport. But as Jer said there is always a first.

Speaking of such a few years ago I got denied entry to Sweden and took the firt flight back, hoped off at Denmark and drove back along with my dog, which was the reason why I was turned back.

I agree with what has been said here and please remember that no one can answer this question for you because everyone's situation is different. You have to try it for yourself and see what happens.

Good luck,

Shawn

If you are flying within Schengen countries, then it is the airline that does the checking. You won't see immigration/customs.

And I agree that everyone's case is different. For example, I have a visa in my passport that is several years old (visas for Spain don't get renewed, so it looks like it has expired, even though I'm perfectly legal). I also have a slew of stamps coming and going, so it doesn't take a genius to figure out that I live here. I think that it is because of this, that I often get asked for my residence card by the airlines and when I go through immigration.

Mariposita,

I have heard of that before and that's why many people just show the residency card to avoid questioning.

Shawn

Well I flew back from Ireland into Lanzarote last night, and because my passport was somewhere in the bottom of my bag, I tried to pass immigration using my residence card. They were not having any of it (even though I work at the airport and the officer knows me ) and I had to root around and show my passport.

Damn, Madsue. That's messed up. You are an EU citizen and they gave you hell. What is the security guard's name so that I can go and rough him up. Say the word baby.

Shawn

Just thought I'd clarify something - the reason Tim had to show his passport is that the UK is not in the Schengen agreement.

I don't know the case in Italy, but in Spain it is a legal requirement for you to carry ID, which for most non-Spaniards is a passport. So, upon return to Spain, I think customs might be quite within their rights to ask for your passport, but I'm not sure.

Damian

I know Shawn, completely out of order

Is Ireland not in the agreement either then, Cervantes?

No, Ireland is NOT Schengen either. I also got some tough questioning from Spanair in Dublin when I was flying back to Spain recently...

I would echo-I am traveling quite a bit and no one is harassing me about the passport with multiple stamps. The only major issues I have heard of have been involving the UK-so steer clear. I would think Italy would be no more tricky then France, and, lords knows, the French cannot be bothered to stamp your passport when you come from the States (neither did they in Madrid when my boyfriend came to visit from the States).

hey, the law for the schengen nations is quite clear, only 90 days in any schengen country during a six month period, then you must get out. in any of the countries, you can be detained and refused entry if you are w/o a visa and have exceeded your stay. the reality is--it rarely happens. but it could.
also, the uk is out of schengen, but like schwendy, it is the only place i've been hassled--and the hassling came from the airline, not immigration. it was explained to me like this---low cost airlines (easy jet, argentina air) don't have the funds to pay for repatriation (if Spain refuses you entry), therefore they hassle you to see if you are legal and will be admitted. larger airlines (BA, delta, etc) have insurance for repatriation and don't hassle so much. the kicker is, the person doing the hassling is the desk clerk at the airlines and they really don't know what are the legalities or not. when i was returning from london they were not going to let me get onto my flight unless i had proof that i lived in spain (i have no residence card). i ended up showing them my sanitas card and that was enough for them.
anyway, bottom line, if you are here illegally, you can get stopped at any time as you cross borders. the probability is low, but it does exist. take your chances as you see fit.

Candy,

Your post is a breath of fresh air and breaks the myth that if you are American, that no one will hassle you in immigration when you are trying to get into certain EU countries.

I look forward to reading more posts on this thread. I posted bfore that when I left Madrid, the agent for Continental saw that I had a new passport and questioned me about it, but I looked her straight in the ye and answered her questions and she backed off. There wa no threat at all, but I just wanted to go home.

Went through security and the agent just stamped the passport as he was talking to his workmate. Stamped it without even looking at the passport. Found a blank page and handed it back to me.

A great day to all,

Shawn