Hello

Soon I will get Schengen for my wife and stepdaughter, we will visit Germany in June so I should get from the German embassy right? - Seems easy BUT I always read you should get from the country which you will spend the most time in which will be Germany but our first port of call will be France so wont it have a french stamp in it and next time we apply they will they think hmmm.. they went to France only??

Ideas?

Steve

Yes, as Germany is the main destination then your wife and stepdaughter should apply at the German Consulate. If there is no main destination, for example if you are touring, then you should apply at the consulate for the country you are entering the Schengen Area.

These are the rules, and they are on some of the Schengen Area websites, but I don't know how strictly they are enforced.

I heard a report on BBC news yesterday that the French are considering stopping the Shengen visa due to the increase of people travelling to France due to the troubles in north Africa.They are seeking to close their borders according to the news report. Whether it actually happens is a different matter but it may pay to keep an eye on developments over there especially if you intend to visit France with your Shengen.

The stamp only shows where in schengen your plane landed (where you entered schengen).. Whoever "they" are that you refer to know this,,

You have not stated your wifes & stepdaughters immigration status. If they both hold EU Residence Permits

and you hold an EU Passport they will be exercising their Freedom of Movement rights under EU Directive

38/2004 and no stamp may be placed in their passports on entry or exit from a Schengen state.

It is imperative if visiting more than one Schengen state that you check the Website of each country you

intend to visit to check on their requirements .

My wife holds a UK residence permit & we have just returned from a visit to Norway & Sweden .Norway

Embassy State my wife is free to travel without Schengen visa, does not have to be accompanied by her

EU spouse. Insurance is not compulsory and flights should not be booked until you have a visa if applicable.

Sweden Embassy however insist on insurance. And state if you are a Uk Residence Permit holder and

travelling with EU spouse schengen visa not required(does not apply if spouse is British ) <deleted> !!!

Thanks for your advice guys, but what I meant firstly was that on all the different European country embassy websites it says that if you apply for the visa in their country and lie about it being the main destination when it may not then next tine you apply they will not be sympathetic. SO if you enter by car ferry via France fOr 2 weeks in SPain... How will they know you did nit lie? Hope I make sense

I think you are worrying unnecessarily.

However, if it will put your mind at rest then keep hold of ferry, hotel etc. receipts to show your main destination and route there the next time you apply.