Hi All,
Hi Gusmac - and welcome.
Unless you're planning to spend a lot of time in the UK you might be better off buying a left-hand drive van over the channel somewhere. It's not a massive problem though if you don't. You'll get used to it really quickly - and it would of course be easier to sell in the same country when you return - assuming you are returning to the UK?
There used to be a certain road in London that travelers (mainly Aussies/Kiwis/South Africans) used to buy and sell campers. Can't remember where it was though. There used to be traveler houses in London too - they were famous! - permanently rented long-term by those who stayed and worked there and everyone welcome if they chipped in. Don't know if they still exist though. But they might be a source if they do.
I 'lived' in my car on a trip last year in Europe and also saved loads on accommodation and food - but the biggest outlay was fuel. I was moving all the time so it just added up. And as I was only away for a short time, it seemed expensive. You're going for longer, so won't seem so steep. But something to consider - which I'm sure you have. I'd do it again though. I loved it!
You'll also discover Lidl's.
[ 07-Aug-2009, at 02:26 by fabyomama ]
Thanks heaps for the info, this spot where everyone sells campervans sounds fantastic, i have heard another reference to it but does any one know if it still exist? We will be selling our van in the UK as well hopefully, the reason for that is I think buying a car in a different language could be difficult and could lead to trouble with appropraite paper work! How long did you travel for and did you have any trouble with the Schengen Convention?
Again any answers would be greatly apprecited,
Gus
I had no problem with crossing 'borders', but you'll need ALL the paperwork to do with the car and driver, including the log book, Mot, insurance, road tax and your licence. Check the insurance as some only cover 'third party' outside the UK but within the Euro Zone - but check all countries to be sure. I think one of the Scandi countries might have different ideas - and Eastern Europe might need checking too. Easy enough.
Switzerland will hit you for a motorway 'ticket' that you stick in your windscreen. It lasts a year and costs about 30 euros. I make sure I have nothing to defend at borders, though I did get pulled twice in Switzerland for 'parking' at traffic lights while I was checking my map and again for taking pictures when driving (great views) where the cop was talking a bit loud. And once somewhere in Belgium where they wanted to check my Russian car for illegal immigrants. True. But don't worry - you'll be fine.
Just wondered if you'll need an address in the UK for the log book and insurance. That might be something you'll need to find out. I think temporary addresses are ok, but I don't know for definite. Also check your driving licence is valid. It should be for UK as we're friends, which probably follows on for Europe, but someone here will know for sure.
I didn't go for long. Two weeks through six countries to clear the head. Crossed the channel for just over £20 Dover/Dunkirk .
Interested to hear what countries you have in mind and how far you want to go. It sounds great. After 9 months you'll be ours though and won't want to go home.
Pleasure to help btw.
[ 07-Aug-2009, at 18:31 by fabyomama ]
International Driving Licence -
UK car insurance in Europe -
Registering a used car -
Taking a UK car abroad -
Looking a leaving in febuary
In this case you might want to consider driving straight down to Morocco or Southern Spain.
This is the only place where you don't freeze your butt off when you go camping in Feb.
Morocco is very popular with Europeans owning a campervan, many retired people make the migration every winter.
If you don't want to go to Morocco you should bring very very warm sleeping bags and lots of blankets - and watch the weather forecast, you do not wish to freeze to death in your camper. Chances that this happens are small, but nevertheless there in Western Europe in Feb.
did you have any trouble with the Schengen Convention?
Rule of thumb: 90 days inside the Schengen Area, 91 days outside, 90 days inside, 91 days outside. This is the pattern you need to follow.
If you want to stay longer than 90 days inside the Schengen area you need to apply for a residency permit.
...If you want to stay longer than 90 days inside the Schengen area you need to apply for a residency permit.
t_maia - While the UK is not in the Schengen Agreement, I have a EU (UK) passport. Does a British citizen need a residency permit to stay longer that 90 days or to work? Just never occurred to me before. Thought I could just live and work anywhere in Europe.
...If you want to stay longer than 90 days inside the Schengen area you need to apply for a residency permit.
t_maia - While the UK is not in the Schengen Agreement, I have a EU (UK) passport. Does a British citizen need a residency permit to stay longer that 90 days or to work? Just never occurred to me before. Thought I could just live and work anywhere in Europe.
Yes you can work and live anywhere in Europe with a UK (EU) passport.
My reply was to gusmac, who is from Australia; thus I assume he has an Aussie passport.
...If you want to stay longer than 90 days inside the Schengen area you need to apply for a residency permit.
t_maia - While the UK is not in the Schengen Agreement, I have a EU (UK) passport. Does a British citizen need a residency permit to stay longer that 90 days or to work? Just never occurred to me before. Thought I could just live and work anywhere in Europe.
Yes you can work and live anywhere in Europe with a UK (EU) passport.
My reply was to gusmac, who is from Australia; thus I assume he has an Aussie passport.
Could've sworn that I had to 'make myself known' if I started work there. Might have mixed that up with something else - tax or something. Thanks.
Could've sworn that I had to 'make myself known' if I started work there. Might have mixed that up with something else - tax or something. Thanks.
Well, you do have to "make yourself known", but that is just a formality and depends upon the country where you move to. As EU citizen you do not have to get a residency permit to live anywhere in the EU. (Work permits are a different matter, citizens of some EU countries are restricted from working in certain EU countries.)
The problem is mostly tax and social security (ie health insurance). There is a bunch of paperwork involved with those issues when you move from one EU country to another.
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