*Travel Tips>>>General - Europe (Continental) Travel Tips

Help with visa for travel in Europe?

Travel Info
I am a student (U.S. citizen) planning on doing a study abroad program in Spain later this year. I already know that I cannot get a student visa for Spain since my program is less than 90 days. However, during my stay there, I'd like to visit other European countries for several days. Will I need to contact the embassies of each individual country (e.g. France, Italy, Germany, etc) to request a visa? If so, how far in advance?

P.S. Side question--do I need a visa to do tourist stuff (traveling around and such) in the U.K. for several days (approx. 5 days) before moving on to my program in Spain?

Thanks!

Travel Tips

How long will you be in Europe in total? If it is less than 90 days, you need no visa in advance. If it is, you have to apply for a tourist visa with the country you will be in the longest for Schengen area countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.).

The UK isn't part of Schengen, you will need an address in the UK (a hotel is fine) and they will sometimes ask for proof that you will leave the UK within 180 days (a plane ticket, etc.) to be able to enter the UK. You won't need a visa in advance there either.
Others

No. You just need your passport.
Only those who work, study, stay over a certain amount of time (30 days or whatever), require a visa.