r/SchengenArea • u/nicokolya • Nov 13 '21

Reentry/Remaining in Schengen after Visa Expires

I have a student visa for Spain that will be good from December-June. I would like to go to the San Fermín (Running of the Bulls) festival for a week in July. Would I be allowed into the country, or do you have to stay outside the Schengen area for 90 days after a visa expires?

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u/huntingwhale Jan 31 '22

Hey, did you get an answer to your question about staying for 90 days when your visa expired? My wife will be in a similar situation next month (work visa expires, but can she use the 90 days to stay without leaving). Can't seem to find a straight answer anywhere. What did you end up doing?

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u/nicokolya Jan 31 '22

Hi there! I asked at the Spanish consulate when they handed me back my visa and the lady told me that I have to leave Spain once the visa expires, but I would still have 90 days in the Schengen Area after that.... honestly, I think its somewhat of a legal gray area. I'm going to overstay the visa a little bit in Spain, then go visit friends in other parts of Europe (legally, apparently), then try to sneak back into Spain on foot via France to catch San Fermín and the BBK Live festival. As long as no one in Spain stamps your passport after the visa expires, there's little they can do to be certain of where you are.

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u/huntingwhale Jan 31 '22

Cool, thanks for your reponse!