Travelers Can Still Stay Long-Term In Europe Without A Visa By Visiting These 7 Countries

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Last Updated 1 week ago

Most travelers can only spend a limited amount of time in Europe because of the Schengen Area.

For Americans and many other nationalities, you can only spend 90 days out of every 180 days in the Schengen Area as a tourist.

The Schengen Area currently consists of 27 European countries, with two more expected to join soon.

If you want to spend longer than 90 days in the Schengen Area, you’ll need to apply for some sort of visa (such as a student visa, digital nomad visa, or other residency permit.)

However, there are still a handful of countries in Europe that aren’t part of the Schengen Area, so travelers can stay long-term without worrying about hitting the 90-day limit of the Schengen Area.

Many of these countries have their own 90-day (or even longer) limit that does not eat into the 90-day Schengen Area limit.

This is especially helpful for long-term travelers or those looking to test out the digital nomad or expat lifestyle without having to obtain a long-stay visa.

1. United Kingdom

American travelers can stay in the UK for up to six months without a visa. So if you fancy giving London living a try (or want to check out some other great cities in the UK), you can visit the country for up to half a year without needing to apply for any type of visa.

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2. Ireland

Although Ireland is part of the EU, it is not part of the Schengen Area, so Americans can spend up to 90 days in the country without a visa and without “counting against” their time spent in the Schengen Area.

Ireland has the highest cost of living of all the countries on this list, so it’s not great for budget travelers, but there’s a reason it’s been named the top destination in Europe.

3. Montenegro

Neighboring Croatia may have recently joined the Schengen Area, but Montenegro is not part of it. American travelers can stay up to 90 days in Montenegro visa-free.

Montenegro has a similar coastline to Croatia, along with beautiful national parks and charming historical cities and towns like Kotor. It’s also more budget-friendly than Croatia.

4. Albania

Albania has been exploding in popularity as a digital nomad hub lately, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a beautiful, affordable, and underrated country.

And since American travelers can stay in Albania for up to one year without a visa, it’s a great place to try out the digital nomad or expat lifestyle.

5. Serbia

Serbia is another Balkan country where you can stay long-term without a visa. Americans and many other nationalities can stay in Serbia for up to 90 days visa-free.

Serbia’s edgy and vibrant capital Belgrade is a trending hotspot for digital nomads known for its affordability and great nightlife.

6. Bosnia and Herzegovina

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, travelers can discover destinations like the intriguing capital Sarajevo and the picture-perfect town of Mostar.

This is another destination not part of the Schengen Area, where American travelers can stay for up to 90 days.

7. Cyprus

Finally, Cyprus is an excellent destination that is not part of the Schengen Area (even though it is part of the EU and will likely join the Schengen Area eventually.)

Right now, American travelers can stay in Cyprus for up to 90 days as a tourist and enjoy the country’s beautiful Mediterranean beaches and historic cities and towns.

Other European Countries Not In The Schengen Area

Although this list covered the most popular destinations outside of the Schengen Area, the following countries are also not part of the Schengen Area:

• North Macedonia
• Kosovo
• Belarus
• Ukraine
• Moldova

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com