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I am an Indian who studies in the US, and am planning to visit France/Italy. I've applied for, received and travelled to Schengen zone 4 times in the past (as a minor) without incident.

During my last trip, 3 years ago, I went as a school trip to Germany as a 10-day exchange program where we stayed in host families' houses. I think Germany has a rule that travellers not staying in a hotel need to register with the police - we didn't do so. There was no problem exiting the country - as I remember, the immigration officer just asked some routine questions while exiting.

So now I plan to apply via the French consulate - should I expect any problem due to not registering? What can I do?

user32496
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2 Answers2

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If you were a minor travelling in the zone as part of a school trip, you would have been accompanied by a teacher from your school or some other person acting in a supervisory role (it's part of the rules). It was that person's job to assure that any local requirements were observed, not yours. You couldn't register with the police even if you wanted to, you were a minor on a school trip. Police registration is for adults who are taking up residence. Overall, it's hard to pin an infraction on a minor anyway, minors do not have the legal capacity to engage in serious breach.

To answer your question, based upon what you wrote there is nothing to worry about. If you submit your application and get hit with post-submission anxiety you can take heart that the French consulate in the US has a relatively quick turn-around time.

Gayot Fow
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I never heard about such a rule in the Federal Republic of Germany. There was a rule like it in the German Democratic Republic, but that's gone with Reunification. You might be mixing several different issues:

  • Hotels and other commercial hostels have to register visitors.
  • Even there, in a traveling group of more than 10 persons only the supervisor has to file for the entire group.
  • Residents in Germany have to register in their primary place of residence, where they can vote, etc.

Summary/Edit: The original poster should have registered if he was in a state which

  • gives less than ten days for a visitor to register (one or two weeks are typical),
  • gives no exception for tourists (some don't),
  • if the supervisor didn't file a summary registration for the group (we can't tell),
  • and if he was old enough that he should have registered himself rather than relying on adults.

I wouldn't worry.

Future visitors should note that the state laws are due to be unified by federal law from November 1st. No worries if you stay with friends for a few nights, but if you rent a flat and live in Germany you need to register with the city/country administration (not the police).

o.m.
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