Forum

Overview

spacer

Switzerland joins the Schengen space on 12th December 2008

Tags: Visa || Switzerland || Visa affairs || Schengen
pausanias
avatar

posted 2008/12/02 15:41

"Switzerland joins the Schengen space on 12th December 2008
On 27.11.08, the Council of EU in Brussels decided that the definitive date of accession of Switzerland to Schengen space will be 12th December 2008.
We are pleased to inform you that starting from 12.12.2008, all valid Schengen visas, even if issued by another Schengen Member State prior to this date, will give access to Switzerland regardless the means of transport (plane, train, car, etc.)." (www.bfm.admin.ch)

Available translations:[Original en] [ru] [fr] [de]

feuerdaemon
avatar

posted 2008/12/02 15:51

That is a good news. Less and less doors in europe. :-)
fabzgy
avatar

posted 2008/12/03 09:51 created by fabzgy last edited by fabzgy on 2008-12-03 09:52:04

Good for us - bad for people who try to renew there Schengen Visa!

Example: Until now Canadians, MExicans, U.S., etc. were allowed to stay for 90 days in the EU. Then they could leave the Schengen states and come back immediately (or with 72 hours out of Schengen)Switzerland was an easy option for lots of these people. Now you ve got to go to the U.K., Norway, Marocco, Tureky, Croatia or Ukraine.

So for us (Members of the Schengen Agreement ) it might be easier (even though there wasn't a lot of hassle so far) but for some people it creates problems....

irinka
avatar

posted 2008/12/03 11:31

It's easier to hitchhike now from Freiburg :) Before Switzerland was the main obstacle for Russian travellers on the way from Germany to France (I have had problems getting to Lyon myself as all the drivers go via Switzerland), but now it'll be much easier ;) And it's a beautiful country, so - hurrah!!!
pausanias
avatar

posted 2008/12/03 13:56

... answer to fabzgy: Liechtenstein will join the Schengen space only in late 2009 (probably), so you can still leave Austria in direction to Vaduz and use this as a possibility for sight-seeing in the imperium of count Hans-Adam ..
fabzgy
avatar

posted 2008/12/03 16:04

@ pausinas: Thats new for me because I was relying on Wikipedia information.

 There it says:

Switzerland, which belongs neither to the EU nor to the European Economic Area, has been associated to the Schengen area and is set to implement the Schengen rules, together with Liechtenstein, by December 12th 2008.

 But if you are sure about Lichtenstein people could go there thats true. The question is who knows about that if even Wikipedia states it wrong?

 

neo82
avatar

posted 2008/12/04 19:08

about Liechtenstein & Schengen I found

 

source1:

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news_digest/Cabinet_signs_border_deal_with_Liechtenstein.html?siteSect=104&sid=10048140&cKey=1228373256000&ty=nd

"Switzerland will become a part of the Schengen zone on December 12 while the principality still has to ratify the treaty with the European Union"

 

source2: 

http://www.worldradio.ch/wrs/news/rundown/news-at-a-glance-57.shtml?12141 "tiny Liechtenstein will remain outside of the Schengen zone, which includes most EU countries."

 So it looks like it's not (yet and probably not on 12.12 as Switzerland) part of Schengen area

crculver
avatar

posted 2008/12/04 22:06

fabzgy, it was not legal for people to cross into Switzerland and then go right back into the EU. For every 90 days a US citizen spends in Schengen, he must spend 90 days outside.

 

Granted, this has not always been enforced. When I was living in Holland some years ago, every 90 days I just crossed into Poland and came back. But perhaps the situation is more strict now.

fabzgy
avatar

posted 2008/12/07 18:53

A Canadian friend did just that right now. Crossed over to the U.K. and came back.

 The 90 days outside rule would be new for me.

How would buisness people do that? They come several times a month to Europe.

crculver
avatar

posted 2008/12/07 20:07

The law is that one can spend only 90 days in a six month period in Schengen. Business people have no problem if they come into Schengen for one day, stay home the next, and come back again on the third day.
fabzgy
avatar

posted 2008/12/08 14:00

Ahh okay. That makes sense.

Nevertheless maybe there is a difference between written down law and the everyday practise.