Do I need a Schengen visa?
 

I'm new to international travel, so I am not sure if I will need a Schengen visa for either of my two scheduled trips. US citizen going CLT-LGW-AMS-EDI-ORK-LGW-EWR for the first trip. EWR-TXL-MXP-LYS-MAD-EWR for the second trip.

Both trips will be one week in duration and spending approximately one day in each country.

Dawn

No you do not need a visa to visit Europe.

You do not need to go through passport controls when you are within the Schengen regions. But you do need to go through passport controls everytime you go into the UK.

Hello Dawn, and welcome to FlyerTalk!

Since you're a US citizen, you won't need visas (Schengen or otherwise) for either trip. Your US passport will be the only thing you need to enter the countries you plan on visiting.

Enjoy your trip.

The correct answer is that it depends on a number of factors, including the purpose of your visit, any previous disqualifying factors and whether you plan to claim other miscallaneous benefits during the trip.

If your visit is for a straightforward tourist or business trip, then you will not require a Schengen visa as a US citizen. If you plan to study, marry, seek medical treatment, etc.... then you need to consult the nearest consular post of the relevant state in which you intend to perform these.

Notice and enjoy that, as an US citizen, you'll not be treated like a criminal, fingerprinted, photographed and interrogated when crossing an EU border either.....

We're trying that "do unto others as you'd have others do unto you" thing, but given my recent visit to the US it seems to not quite be working just yet ;(

If you plan to study, marry, seek medical treatment. . . spending approximately one day in each country. . . then you are one fast operator. :D

Seriously, enjoy your trip, it will be easier than you think. Write us a trip report when you return. Let us know if this prediction is true: On your entire trip, the longest lines, least polite immigration agents, and the agents speaking the worst English will be the ones you meet in EWR upon your return. The ones employed by the US Department of Homeland Security.

Thanks for the quick and helpful replies. An overzealous admin assistant was trying to tell me I needed the visa, but everything I saw online seemed to indicate I did not. I thought it was best to ask.

I'll report back on my trips.

Dawn

Delta provides a useful web tool with regards visa requirements

Citizenship = US
Destination = Netherlands
"Visa not required for a stay of max. 90 days in a half year period."