For the Single Entry Schengen visa, do the microstates (Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City) count?
If a person has a Single Entry Schengen visa, would a visit to those microstates count as having left the Schengen area?
I know that Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City count as de facto Schengen, but since they 'stop the clock' for the counting of the 90/180 days rule (per this question) for time spent there, I wonder whether they just consider it also an exit of the Schengen area.
The question is concretely about the Vatican, the other states might be of interest for OP with a similar problem.
It would be quite a hassle getting stuck in the Vatican. There's only one hotel there (Residenza Paolo VI), with prices in the €125-€320 range. but again, it would also be a pity to visit Rome and not visit the Vatican.
Best Answer
For almost all non European Union/EEA citizens, an entry or exit stamp is mandatory upon crossing the external Schengen border
Article 8 (3) Border Code (thorough check)
Article 11 (3) Border Code
- (e) Citizens of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino are exempted
No 'Immigration' (enter/exit) stamp for persons enjoying the right of free movement under Union law
- Article 8 (2) Border Code (minimum check)
- for third country citizens: only when the residence card is presented
A Single Entry Schengen visa is considered used
- when an Schengen entry/exit stamp exists
so where there is no passport control, no new Schengen entry/exit stamp can be given and the 90/180 days rule apply (the clock does not stop).
Monaco is considered to be inside the external Schengen Border
- Convention on Good Neighbourly Relations of 18 May 1963 on the entry, stay and establishment of foreigners in Monaco and exchange of letters from 15 December 1997
- France will stamp the passport when needed
- when the external Schengen Border through Monaco is crossed
- France will stamp the passport when needed
Andorra is considered outside the Schengen Area
- a multiple entry Schengen Visa is required to enter Andora
San Marino is considered outside the Schengen Area
- but maintains an open border with Italy, so there is no passport control
Vatican is considered outside the Schengen Area
- but maintains an open border with Italy, so there is no passport control
References:
Pictures about "For the Single Entry Schengen visa, do the microstates (Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City) count?"
Does Schengen Visa cover Monaco?
Monaco is one of the European microstates to which Schengen visa policy applies. Although Monaco is not part of the European Union or Schengen agreement, its geographical location means an ETIAS visa waiver will soon be necessary to travel to Monaco.Does Schengen Visa cover Vatican City?
You do not need a visa to enter the Vatican. While Italy is a part of the Schengen Area Agreement, the Vatican City is not, but since there are such loose (often non-existent) borders, people consider that the Vatican is a de facto Schengen Area state. The state-inside- a-state situation makes that possible.Is San Marino in the Schengen zone?
San Marino is not one of the Schengen Area countries. However, the European microstate has an open border with the EU (Italy). As the microstate does not have an international airport, overseas travellers reach San Marino by flying into Italy and completing the journey overland.Can I visit San Marino with Schengen Visa?
Simultaneously anyone visiting a Schengen country can enter San Marino with a valid Schengen visa.THE SCHENGEN ZONE TRAVEL EXPLAINED - DIGITAL NOMAD TV
More answers regarding for the Single Entry Schengen visa, do the microstates (Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City) count?
Answer 2
There are no passport controls to enter Vatican City.
Technically, the Vatican is not part of the Schengen Zone or the EU, but it has an open border with Italy, and Italy is the only way to enter the Vatican.
So no-one will even know you have visited Vatican.
As o.m mentioned:
it is more like "they have a practical agreement that the Vatican doesn't count." It would only really matter if someone stays more than 90 days in Schengen-plus-Vatican.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Luis Núñez, Guru Hebbar, Pixabay, Pixabay