Do I need a visa for my traveling?

I am traveling to the E.E.U. soon, what kind of Visa will I need, if one at all?

• I've heard that there's a Visa that will let me travel all through out the E.E.U. on a single Visa.... where would I get that ? Important: How would I reinstate the Visa status? I'm currently in Malaysia and usually just go on my "border run". Something tells me it might not be so simple..... I am a U.S. citizen. If I don't need a Visa, does that mean that I'll need some sort of "border run", after 90 days?

• Answer:

  There is a common visa policy for the 25 Schengen States (22 out of 27 EU member states + 3-non members). Other EU member states have their own visa policies. A US citizen can stay in the Schengen Area without a visa for up to 90 day in six months. If you have use up your 90 days you must leave and cannot reenter until six months have passed since your first entry. If you want to stay longer, you must apply for a long term visa or temporary residence permit from one of the Schengen States. In most cases such a permit or visa may be very hard to get for a tourist and must often be applied for at a consulate where your normally live. Theoretically it is possible to remain in the EU for a very long time by leaving the Schengen Area after 90 days and spend a few months in a non-Schengen Country and then reenter. However, as you are not allowed to work, you may be questioned about your unusally long stay and may be denied entry if the authorities believe that you cannot support yourself without working.