Coronavirus- What are the options available if you get stuck in Europe

Closing the borders is the best coordinated restrictive measure the world is taking at the moment to combat the pandemic of the coronavirus or COVID-19. Like most of the countries around the world, Europe too has closed its borders for the international flights. It was an essential step as after China, EU is the second zone that is facing worst public health conditions.

All of this happened in such a short time that many non-EU passengers who were either traveling or holidaying, were left stranded in different areas of the world including Europe. Following the lockdown situation, repatriation is one of the biggest issues these days. Since there are no departing flights from Europe, many foreign travelers are stranded in the Schengen area. What should do they do in a situation like this? Scroll down to get the expert advice.

What is it to get stuck in EU amid COVID-19?

To enter the Schengen area, the foreign travelers must apply for the Schengen visa. Like every other visa, it too has its expiry date. Once that date is over, and the non-EU traveler does not leave that zone and over stays, he/she has to pay the penalties.

What steps to take if you get stuck in EU amid coronavirus pandemic?

The situation sounds quite atrocious as paying high amount in the name of visa expiration penalty is not feasible for everyone. No worries, as we have the right solution to this issue. For repatriation cases during corona outbreak, you don’t need to pay any penalty. All that is needed is to apply for the extension of the visa to the competent authorities that means the Schengen state where you are stranded at the moment.

What is Article 33 of the EU Visa Code?

Article 33 of the EU Visa Code enables the foreign travelers to get visa extension even after the visa expiration. But that is allowed only in the most serious humanitarian and personal reasons. Scroll down to read what this Article 33 is all about.

“In case a visa holder who is already present on the territory of the Member States is unable to   leave before the expiry of his visa for reasons of force majeure, humanitarian reasons or serious personal reasons, he should address the request for extension of the visa to the competent authorities of the Member State where he is present even if that is not the Member State whose consulate issued the visa.”

Force majeure of Article 33 of the EU Visa code and COVID-19

Force majeure stands for a last minute change in the flight schedule by the authorities at the airport. That is why no passenger can be charged for overstaying. When we see the current situation of corona outbreak and the sudden restrictions on travel, we realize that it all falls under the same category of force majeure. In short, no stranded passenger should worry for paying any kind of penalty.

What if you are not in the Schengen visa issuing country?

In case you are not in your Schengen visa issuing state, still you can apply for your visa extension. Once you have applied it, you will get the Schengen visa extension of up to 90 days. Getting this time, the applicant must strive to get another way or commercial transport to leave Europe.

What if you belong to a visa-free state?

There are several states whose nationals don’t require a Schengen visa to enter Europe and they can live for about 90 days without visa. If these 90 days are over and they too have to face a ‘force majeure situation’, they must follow the same method to apply for the visa extension to the competent authorities of their respective state.

Cancellation of Flights due to COVID-19

In case your flight back from Europe is cancelled due to the pandemic, you can inquire from your airline about rebooking or refunding of the paid amount. As a part of an organized trip, you can contact your travel agency for some relief. Lastly, your travel insurance provider too can offer some emergency assistance in this regard.

Is it possible to leave Europe via land border or road transport?

If any of your transportation means allow you to leave Europe by land border you can do that. Remember, keeping in view the spread of COVID-19, a non-EU traveler will not be allowed to enter in any neighboring Schengen state. If the traveler is leaving, he must leave the Schengen zone at once.

In spite of leaving the Schengen area, you will not be allowed to transit via another country that has already restricted transportation with your host country. So, keep that point in mind too.

Don’t forget to Self-Quarantine yourself!

Once you have reached your home country, make sure to quarantine yourself for at-least two weeks, irrespective of the fact that you have coronavirus symptoms or not. 

Conclusion:

To pull through the challenge of the coronavirus in the best possible way, all the national governments are performing as the locus of effort. To get the best result from all these measures and restrictions, every individual must act responsibly and play his part by following all the instructions given by their respective governments.