We’re Americans who’ve traveled to 12 countries this year doing the ‘Schengen shuffle.’ Here’s how it works.
Eric and Christina Schwendeman, a couple from the United States, have embraced a unique lifestyle since relocating to Italy in 2022, which they affectionately refer to as the “Schengen shuffle.” This method allows them to extend their stay in Europe without the need for continuous residency permits. Under the Schengen Agreement, non-EU citizens can spend up to 90 days within a 180-day period in any of the 29 participating countries. Instead of renewing their elective residency visas, which allowed them to live in Italy full-time, the Schwendemans opted for a more flexible travel approach. They maintain a home base in Italy, spending three months there before exploring other countries for the next three months, effectively alternating their time between residence and travel.
Since adopting this lifestyle, the Schwendemans have journeyed to approximately 12 new countries in just one year, exploring destinations as diverse as Thailand, Vietnam, and India. Their travels are characterized by a desire to immerse themselves in local communities rather than rushing through tourist hotspots. For instance, during a month-long stay in Perast, Montenegro, they forged connections with locals, creating a sense of belonging that enhanced their travel experience. Their approach emphasizes the importance of slow travel, allowing them to engage meaningfully with their surroundings and build relationships, which they find far more rewarding than the typical tourist experience.
The couple’s travel strategy includes staying in Airbnbs with kitchens to prepare their own meals, which not only saves money but also allows them to experience local grocery shopping. They prefer to utilize Europe’s extensive train systems over flying, making their journeys both economical and enjoyable. The Schwendemans also emphasize the significance of planning in their travels, alongside the necessity of maintaining flexibility for unexpected changes. This mindset has led them to view every hiccup as part of the adventure, enriching their journey with memorable experiences. The Schengen shuffle, for them, represents the best of both worlds—balancing the comforts of a home base with the thrill of discovering new cultures and places.
Eric and Christina Schwendeman practice the “Schengen shuffle.”
Eric and Christina Schwendeman
The ‘Schengen shuffle’ allows non-EU citizens to stay in Europe for extended periods of time.
Eric and Christina Schwendeman, both Americans, have made Italy their base since 2022.
“It’s the best of both worlds for us,” Christina told Business Insider.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with
Eric and Christina Schwendeman
, who left the US in 2022 to retire in Italy. The couple now does the “Schengen shuffle.” Schengen countries allow non-EU visitors to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The “Schengen shuffle” refers to the practice of non-EU travelers hopping between both Schengen and non-Schengen countries indefinitely. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Christina:
We had gotten our elective residency visas, which allowed us to live in Italy full time. Those were valid for two years, so after that period was up, we decided for a variety of reasons that we wouldn’t renew them.
Eric:
A lot of the motivation was that we’re traveling so much and we want to see so much of the world.
Christina:
We started the Schengen shuffle in December 2024. There are 29 countries in the Schengen Agreement, which essentially are countries in Europe that allow free and open borders between them. So, if we want to drive from Italy to France, we don’t go through passport control.
We decided we wanted to do that instead of being full-time residents of Italy. Italy is one of the 29 countries in the Schengen area, so we said, “Okay, we can keep our house in Italy, stay there for 90 days, then go travel for 90 days, and come back.”
It’s the best of both worlds for us.
The Schwendemans have visited around 12 new countries this year
Eric and Christina Schwendeman traveled to India.
Eric and Christina Schwendeman
Eric:
We’ve seen around 12 new countries this year, far and wide, from Southeast Asia to the Balkans.
We did Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia. We went to Hong Kong and Macau. Then, we flew down to the Philippines for two weeks. We spent almost two weeks in India and then came home to Italy.
One of the things that we committed to was spending ample time in areas that allow us to see it, to experience it, and give ourselves days of rest in between, instead of just racing nonstop 24/7.
Christina:
It allows you to become more a part of communities and — I think a lot of people use this phrase — more of a traveler than a tourist.
A great example for us is that we spent a month in Perast, Montenegro. It’s a very small town. By the time we left, we knew everyone. Like Eric said, we made friends that we’ve seen again since we left. We could go into any restaurant and know everybody by name. To be able to do that in a different community is just something really special.
Christina and Eric Schwendeman left the United States in 2022.
Eric and Christina Schwendeman
Eric:
I would say that 85% of the time we’re staying in Airbnbs.
Christina:
If you get an Airbnb with your own kitchen, you can go grocery shopping and cook at home. That makes a big difference for us. If we’re staying anywhere longer than a week, it’s Airbnb because we want to feel like we have a base.
Transportation can get tricky, but we try not to fly a lot because it’s obviously the most expensive option. A lot of countries have phenomenal train systems, so we try to take advantage of those.
And packing is interesting. For 90 days at a time, we committed to each other that we would only each take one medium-sized suitcase.
Christina and Eric’s best tip for doing the Schengen shuffle: plan
Eric:
Plan, plan, and plan some more when you think you’re done.
Christina:
And then be ready to realize that something will inevitably go wrong with that plan. Flexibility is key. Travel is never without hiccups, so just be ready to roll with the punches.
It’s something you’ll remember for the rest of your life. We try never to think that anything that happens through this is ever bad. It’s just part of the adventure.
Read the original article on
Business Insider
