John,

Are there/is there airspace where, although VFR, require one to have an
instrument rating to fly in it? (excluding airspace above FL180).


Oh, ok. Varies from country to country. In some, Class A starts at FL100.
Few have Class A around major airports. But generally, no, you can get
where you want to go. Next year, I'm planning a big Baltic tour, going
from Germany through Poland and Kaliningrade/Russia to Latvia, Letvia (?)
and Lithuania. The across the Baltic to Sweden and back via Denmark. Can
be done VFR, no problem (apart from weather).

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)