24

I have a 1-year multiple entry Schengen visa 90/180 issued by Italy.

Out of five trips, I used it twice to enter Italy. The other three times, I entered Germany but stayed once in Luxembourg and twice in Holland.

I arrived and departed from Germany because the flights there were cheaper.

My last return trip from Germany resulted in my fingerprints being taken, and extra attention paid to all the pages in my passport. Nothing was said or asked and I was allowed to leave.

Now I worried. Did I do something wrong? On my next trip, will my Schengen tourist visa be cancelled or will they refuse me entry? Am I on the radar with German authorities now?

In summary, I spent in a total of 25 days in Italy and as per my passport. It looks like I "spent" 33 days in Germany, although I was actually in Luxembourg (8 days) and Holland (25 days). Of course, that is not shown in my passport.

OK, then let me rephrase... did I do something wrong or is there any reason for border officers to refure me entry or cancel my visa next time I come (to Germany)?

Martin Schröder
  • 235
  • 1
  • 3
  • 15

3 Answers3

33

You've made several trips to the Schengen area using a multiple-entry visa, and when you most recently left, German officials gave you extra scrutiny. The purpose of that scrutiny was almost certainly to check whether you have violated the 90/180 rule. You have not, so there is nothing to worry about.

In particular, it's perfectly normal (and very common) to enter and exit the Schengen area in Germany when flying through Germany to another Schengen destination.

Am I under scrutiny?

It certainly looks that way.

Did I do something wrong?

I don't know.

[Did I do something wrong related to the time I've spent in the Schengen area or the destinations I've chosen?]

No.

On my next trip, will my Schengen tourist visa be cancelled or will they refuse me entry?

Unlikely.

Am I on the radar with German authorities now?

Probably.

[Should I be worried?]

No.

phoog
  • 143,317
  • 20
  • 298
  • 485
20

Did I do something wrong?

No.

On my next trip, will my Schengen tourist visa be cancelled or will they refuse me entry?

We can't predict the future. There's nothing in your question to suggest that outcome is likely.

Am I on the radar with German authorities now?

Yes (I surmise), you made more than a handful of short trips and your pattern of past travel, dress, luggage, appearance, state of mind etc did not, in some minor way, fit the usual patterns they see from the greater majority of travellers.

One year I made a number of short business trips to Rotterdam which I was asked about and was held up a little while my bags were searched before being allowed to proceed. I was not told why. On subsequent trips, nothing unusual happened.

Of course, since they didn't ask you about anything specific, there is no way to tell why they chose to handle you differently on that occasion.

RedGrittyBrick
  • 5,142
  • 1
  • 19
  • 44
1

There are a few possible reasons why they took your fingerprints randomly

1) To verify that you're the same person as your visa

2) To check you haven't violated the 90/180 rule

3) They suspect you might be a threat to a member state

4) They might suspect you of "visa shopping" i.e after being refused a schengen visa from one member state, you apply to another.

Here's more information about the Visa Information System https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/visa-information-system_en

Jordy
  • 71
  • 5