Hey folks, so I’m super excited to share my grand plan for a year-long adventure in Europe, kicking off in August 2026. The reason? Well, I want to be close to my partner, who’s gonna be hopping between Schengen countries like Czech Republic, Spain, and Finland. Being a proud holder of a Brazilian passport, I’m lucky to enjoy visa-free access to the Schengen Area and some Balkan gems for up to 90 days.
Here’s the deal – I work remotely for a company back in Brazil, so I’ll keep my tax residency there and play by all the immigration rules. To make the most of my time with my partner without getting on the wrong side of the Schengen 90/180-day rule, I’ve come up with a nifty strategy. Instead of doing the classic weekly “visa runs,” I’m planning on longer stays to avoid raising any red flags at those newfangled biometric gates.
Here’s the lowdown on my game plan: I’ll start off by spending around 25 days in the EU in August. Then, I’ll take a break from the Schengen madness and set up shop in Albania for about a month and a half from September to mid-October to get some work done. A quick week back in the EU to visit my partner, and then it’s back to Albania for some more quality work time until mid-December.
Come late December, I’ll pop back into the EU for a cozy Christmas and New Year’s celebration. From January to August 2027, I’ll keep up this rotation, throwing in short trips to Brazil or non-Schengen spots to sync up with my partner’s whereabouts.
Now, here’s where I need your help, fellow globetrotters:
1. Legality & Border Drama: Technically, I’m all good on the legal front since I’m well within the 90-day limit and spend a good chunk of time outside the EU. But, could this long-block pattern raise eyebrows at the borders after a year?
2. Show Me the Money & Work Docs: I’m armed with a dossier of work contracts, bank statements, and booking confirmations. If questioned about my travel pattern, is full transparency about visiting my partner while based in Albania the way to go, or could it set off alarm bells?
3. Any Veterans of the Albania-Schengen Shuffle? If you’ve tried a similar