Visa-exempt visitors may spend at most 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the whole Schengen area combined. Every day counts, entries and exits are now recorded automatically by the EU Entry/Exit System, and overstays carry fines and bans.
The rule is a rolling window, not a calendar reset: on any given day, look back 180 days and count the days you were inside Schengen — the total must not exceed 90.
Counts: all 29 Schengen countries together (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, the Nordics and more). The UK, Ireland, and non-Schengen EU members are separate.
Since 2026: the Entry/Exit System records biometrics and dates automatically, so counting errors are caught at the border.
Longer stays need a national visa (work, study, digital-nomad visas offered by Portugal, Spain, Italy and others).
Keep your own log or use a 90/180 calculator; the arrival and departure days both count.
Related questions
How long does my passport need to be valid to travel?
Many countries require six months' validity beyond your arrival or departure date; the Schengen area requires three months beyond your planned exit and a passport issued within the last ten years. Airlines enforce these rules at check-in. Full answer →
Do I need a visa to transit through an airport?
Depends on the country and your passport. Many hubs allow airside transit without a visa; the US, Canada and Australia require an ESTA/eTA/ETA even to transit; the UK requires a transit visa for some nationalities. Check before you book a connection. Full answer →
Airline, airport and government rules change without notice. Treat this as a starting point and confirm with the airline or authority for your specific trip. Request a correction if something is out of date.