CA 180-Day Visa Campaign

In 2021 the CA launched its 180-Day campaign, in an attempt to reduce the impact of Brexit on British small boat cruisers wanting to voyage extensively in European waters, including inland waterways. We continue to lobby MPs, Governmental Groups and EU representatives, along with other bodies and organisations adversely affected by the impact of the Schengen 90/180 rule.

The 90-day issue – The Schengen area rules

Following Brexit, British citizens became non-EU nationals, subject to third country rules. For the cruising boat owner, this continues to pose a real and potentially existential threat to their continuing cruising activities.

Under the 90/180 rule, visits to the Schengen area are limited to a maximum total of 90 days in every 180 days. The clock starts ticking for both 90 and 180 days as soon as we cross the first Schengen border.

An example

If you travel out to your boat in France on 1^st May you can use it for up to 90 days – until 29^th July. You must then leave any country within the Schengen area and you can’t return until 180 days from 1^st May i.e. until 28^th October at the earliest. This effectively rules out a single period of extended cruising of greater than 90 days within Schengen.

As a result, some members have moved their boats back to the UK, whilst others have relocated their boats out of the Schengen area. There are those who have accepted that they are restricted to taking shorter voyages that can be safely completed in less than 90 days, with the obvious impact on their annual cruising experience.

The Schengen rules contrast sharply with those of the UK. All EU nationals can visit the whole of the UK for up to six months, without the need to apply for a visa. In most circumstances they can leave the UK within the period of six months and then return to start another period of six months. In contrast, UK nationals have only 90 days at their disposal across the entire Schengen area of 29 countries.

The CA’s campaign

Since 2021 we and other groups, such as second home owners, professional musicians, road haulage companies, academics, etc. have tried to engage with MPs and Ministers on this issue. To date there has been little will to address the 90/180 problem in the corridors of Westminster, although the Labour Government’s recent focus on resetting the UK’s relationship with the EU, as well as proposals to address youth mobility issues, suggest a possible shift in mood.

The underlying tone of our lobbying activities has therefore been, and remains:

• Our 6,300 members love the culture of the waterside communities where they cruise and also contribute in no small way to them.
• Our members play their part in the economy of many coastal and inland villages and towns.
• The boating community is international, friendly and supportive. In the UK we warmly welcome fellow boaters in the seafaring tradition that links the ordinary people of the UK and the EU.
• Many British boat owners keep their boats permanently in the EU and spend 4-6 months aboard each summer as well as some winter weeks for out-of-season sailing, or for maintenance.
• Our members have ongoing relationships with harbours, marinas, riggers, sailmakers and marine engineers as well as food service and hospitality businesses. Many of these are away from main tourist centres.
• The Schengen 90/180 rule restricts the time we can spend in European countries, whether on our boats or participating in other activities such as winter sports and city visits.

Country by country

Each EU member country sets its own policy for visas and permits of more than 90 days. Therefore, as well as continuing to lobby the Government and the EU together with other groups, we have also researched and provided information on what visa opportunities exist, in order to support those of our members wishing to spend more than 90 days in the EU and their favourite cruising grounds.

If you currently keep your boat in Schengen or are thinking about long-term cruising there, please respond to requests for help in this research from your Section Secretaries, and volunteer to get involved.

If you’re not already a member of the Cruising Association, now is the time to join and add your voice to this ongoing campaign.

Disclaimer

This web page has been prepared voluntarily by the Cruising Association, its members and others and they and it have tried to ensure that the contents are accurate. However, the Cruising Association, its employees, contributors and relevant members shall not be liable for any loss, damage or inconvenience of any kind howsoever arising in connection with the use of this web page, save to the extent required by applicable law.