Do you have proof that you’ll be doing what you say you’re doing? The authorities aren’t too big on one way travellers []

I’d just bring a booksack with 2 sets of clothes total, 1 for summer, 1 for winter. 

Some things you might not have considered…

Be sure to get your work visas for each country before departure, and check up on any tax treaties with your home country and the countries where you will be working so you know where to pay tax each time you cross a border. I guess you already planned for this? Since you will be working, you will be required to pay tax on earnings—either in the countries where the work is performed, to your country of citizenship, or both. Additionally, be sure you have proof of onward travel within the days allowed by your work permit for each country.

If you are just going as a “traveller” and not planning to pay tax while working, then your main issue will just be the proof of onward travel when you arrive to each border. You can check those requirements here: http://www.delta.com…

Glad everyone answered the questioned being asked…
 
 
…there will definitely be locker issues but probably for both packs.  Lockers range in size from about 2 or 3 feet to much larger.  You can in most places at least keep your laptop and camera locked up even if you keep the bag out. 

The question about backpack and locker sizes really isn’t an issue if visas aren’t first sorted, right?

you would think a person asking about locker size had already thought through visas and whatnot

You’d think, but after doing this for 12 years, my instinct tells me no. Hopefully the OP has thought this through and worked it out, and the visa info. stuff will be just for the benefit of others reading who might be considering a similar idea.

  I agree, my first thought was that this guy didn’t have any kind of plan and had no idea of visa requirements.   Almost all of the posters with plans for long-term stays or “working-my-way-through-Europe” have no idea that there are requirments that are specifically designed to make what they want to do very difficult.  Note that he’s never posted again…..

Quite so…and I’ll admit, I entertained pretty naive notions of working a pub or so a week bussing tables (or whatever…sweeping floors, who knows) all across the continent.  Not to say that isn’t even possible (I doubt pub owners take specific care that their floor-sweepers have valid Visas…), but it’s just not the kind of thing you can inquire about on a website forum.  If the bartender or proprietor likes you, then hey, you might have something there.  Easier said then done, I’m sure.  Try doing that in the states, whether they be US or Australian ones.  Probably doesn’t work at 90% of the bars here; probably won’t work at 90% of the bars there.  But on the plus side, if it DOES happen, you’ll be the envy of about every Eurotrip member, have great stories, and a new friend overseas.  Happy hunting!

If you are good at hooking up with&nbspeople and networking you would be very surprised how easy it is for aself-confident, enterprising person to live and work illegally in Europe for a long time.

Sorry for the late reply.  Actually having a visa doesnt apply to me just yet. What im doing is making travel films for a US based website. I’m going to be doing this for a couple of years and when i find a place I like I will settle down there (after i get citizenships/visas of course). I’m a Travel Journalist.

Ok, I’m not sure if this is a legit question anymore.

Brad, please explain why having a visa doesn’t apply “yet.” Are you an EU or other EEC citizen? By birth, resettlement, reunification? If none, then do you have a study visa, or going through BUNAC? Please explain.

If you will work in a European country, then you will be liable to pay tax—either to your home country, or to the country where the work is performed; it is the taxpayer’s responsibility to check the tax treaty—if there is one—and sort it out. In the countries I’ve lived in Europe, evading tax incurs fines and nonrenewal of residence permission. Keep in mind that taxes on personal income are very high in most countries of Europe. Please explain your plan, else the rest really doesn’t matter.

We’re curious. If you’ve found legit loopholes, please share []

I hate to say this but having a visa does apply to you.  If you’re not any of the things that Don mentioned, you still need some kind of visa to work (even if it is for a US based country) in Europe.  Staying there on a tourist visa won’t cut it.

What im goiung to be doing is making travel videos.  These videos will be used by a US based company.  My pay will come from that company directly deposited into my account.  As long as i dont stay more then 90 days in any particualr country around the world im fine.  or am i not?

You are not ok with that plan. You can not stay 90 days per country. Most of western Europe is part of a single border agreement. Google “Schengen Agreement” to read up on it. When you enter 1 member country, the 90 day clock starts ticking. You can NOT leave for a day and come back with a fresh 90 days; it’s 90 in / 90 out, or no more than 90 in a 180 consecutive-day period. UK, Ireland, and Switzerland are not part of Schengen, and US passport holders generally are allowed 180 days combined UK, and 90 days each of the others. See “nifty visa-checking tool” thread at the top of this forum.

Risks? Deportation at your own expense, fine, ban from re-entry, and that doesn’t include the risk of not filing taxes.

US citizens must file a form 1040 and form 2555 to IRS each year. Your US company payroll department needs to have IRS form 673 on file for you each year.

If you enter a country schlepping a huge load of stuff, you are more likely to be questioned further—especially if entering with a one-way ticket. But that’s enough for today kids… let’s let this first bit sink in for a while.

Brad, honestly, we’re not trying to piss on your parade, but you’re going to have a lot more troubles and hassles if you don’t sort it all out before you go. Otherwise, it could be a very expensive lesson, possibly getting banned from filming in the very places you need to film. Have a think and post some more if you need more tips to sort this out.

Don, Thanks for pissing on my parade. I’d much rather have you piss on it then have immigration piss on it when i get there. Thanks for all the great info. After our 90 days is up were going to head down to australia or south africa.

I called UK Immigration to see what options i had. All they said was to either have a ticket (train/plane) out of the uk and surrounding areas or have a boatload of cash to show that i wont be begging for dollars. I asked what amount was sufficient and he said it depends on the Immigration agent that interviews me. Im at his mercy. if he/she has had a bad day then im screwed.

I leave May 23 so its not enough time to get a work/temporary visa. So i’ll wing it. thanks!

USA passport holders generally are allowed up to 180 days UK, 90 Ireland, 90 Switzerland, 90 combined Schengen, and 30-90 most other countries not part of Schengen. The sticking point is that 90 days max Schengen tourist entry—sounds like that’s what’s getting you.

UK and Irish immigration points at airports are usually thorough—questioning every single arriving passenger (reason for visit, how long to stay, where will you stay, etc.). They can refuse entry if you don’t have means to support yourself for the duration of your stay, and/or if you don’t have proof of onward travel within 180 days. Proof could be a one-way cheap Ryanair ticket outside of UK.

Don, I’m curious if I have French and US citizenship, I am able to stay over 90 days in Europe, correct?

Sure. Just present your French passport upon entering the Schengen area.