The Schengen 90/180 Day Rule Explained

Last updated: February 2025

What is the 90/180 Rule?

The Schengen 90/180 rule is the cornerstone of visa-free travel to Europe. It states that non-EU/EEA nationals can stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period.

90 days in Schengen ÷ 180 day rolling window = Your limit

The crucial point that many travelers miss: the 180-day period is not fixed. It's a rolling window that moves with you every single day. This makes calculations more complex than a simple "90 days per 6 months."

How the Rolling Window Works

To check if you're legal on any given day, look back exactly 179 days (creating a 180-day window including today). Count all days spent in Schengen during that window. If the total is 90 or less, you're compliant.

Example: The Rolling Window in Action

January 1: You enter Spain.
March 31: After 90 days, you leave (you've maxed out).
April 15: Can you return? Let's check the window (Oct 18 - Apr 15).
The 90-day trip is still fully inside this window. Answer: No, 0 days available.

June 29: Can you return now? Window is (Jan 1 - Jun 29).
Jan 1 has just fallen off the back of the window!
Answer: Yes, 1 day available.

The "One-for-One" Recovery

After maxing out your 90 days, you might hear about "recovering" days. Here's exactly how it works:

  1. Days 1-90: You use all 90 days in Schengen
  2. Days 91-179: You're outside Schengen, but looking back, your 90 days are still in the window. 0 days available.
  3. Day 180: The first day of your original trip starts to "fall off" the window
  4. Day 181+: Each day, one more day falls off. You gain exactly 1 day for each day that passes

This is why some call it the "90 in, 90 out" rule. After using 90 days, you need to spend roughly 90 days outside before you have a full 90 days available again.

How to Calculate Your Remaining Days

Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. 1
    Pick your check date - The date you want to enter or check compliance
  2. 2
    Calculate the window - Go back 179 days from your check date
  3. 3
    Count Schengen days - Add all days in Schengen within the window (entry AND exit days count)
  4. 4
    Subtract from 90 - The result is your remaining days

Skip the math: Our calculator does all this automatically. Enter your past and future trips, and get instant results.

Use the Schengen Calculator

Important Rules to Remember

✓ Entry & Exit Days Count

Both the day you arrive and depart count as full days. Jan 1 to Jan 10 = 10 days, not 9.

✓ All Schengen Countries Combined

Days in France, Germany, Spain, etc. all count toward the same 90-day limit.

✓ Non-Schengen EU Doesn't Count

Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania have separate limits. Time there doesn't affect Schengen.

✓ Transit Counts

Even a brief layover where you pass through immigration counts toward your 90 days.

Which Countries Are in the Schengen Area?

The 90/180 rule applies to all 27 Schengen member states:

  • 🇦🇹 Austria
  • 🇧🇪 Belgium
  • 🇭🇷 Croatia
  • 🇨🇿 Czech Republic
  • 🇩🇰 Denmark
  • 🇪🇪 Estonia
  • 🇫🇮 Finland
  • 🇫🇷 France
  • 🇩🇪 Germany
  • 🇬🇷 Greece
  • 🇭🇺 Hungary
  • 🇮🇸 Iceland
  • 🇮🇹 Italy
  • 🇱🇻 Latvia
  • 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein
  • 🇱🇹 Lithuania
  • 🇱🇺 Luxembourg
  • 🇲🇹 Malta
  • 🇳🇱 Netherlands
  • 🇳🇴 Norway
  • 🇵🇱 Poland
  • 🇵🇹 Portugal
  • 🇸🇰 Slovakia
  • 🇸🇮 Slovenia
  • 🇪🇸 Spain
  • 🇸🇪 Sweden
  • 🇨🇭 Switzerland

Consequences of Overstaying

Warning: Overstaying the 90-day limit can have serious consequences:

  • Fines (varying by country)
  • Deportation at your own expense
  • Entry ban of 1-5 years for the entire Schengen Area
  • Difficulty obtaining future visas
  • Potential criminal record in some countries

Border officials check your passport stamps when you leave. Overstays are detected automatically through the Entry/Exit System (EES) being implemented alongside ETIAS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stay 90 days, leave for 1 day, and return for 90 more?

No. This is the most common misconception. The 180-day window is rolling, not reset by leaving. After 90 days, you need to wait for days to "fall off" the window before getting new allowance.

Does the UK count toward my Schengen days?

No. The UK is not part of the Schengen Area and has its own entry rules. Time in the UK does not affect your Schengen 90/180 calculation.

What about cruises that stop in Schengen ports?

Port days where you disembark into Schengen territory count toward your 90 days. Days at sea or in non-Schengen ports don't count.

Can I get an extension beyond 90 days?

Extensions are rarely granted and only for exceptional circumstances (medical emergencies, force majeure). For longer stays, you typically need a national visa or residence permit.

How do I prove my travel history to border officers?

Keep your passport stamps, boarding passes, hotel receipts, and travel itineraries. Some travelers also keep a travel journal or use apps like TravelTally90 to document their stays.