The Schengen 90/180 rule, explained properly
It is a rolling window, not a calendar reset, and it counts the whole area as one country.
Reviewed September 2026 · 4 min read
How the window works
On any given day, look back 180 days. You may have spent at most 90 days inside the Schengen Area during that window. There is no annual reset and no per-country allowance.
Days count as whole days
The day you enter and the day you leave both count in full, even if you were in the area for an hour.
One area, not 29 countries
A week in Spain and a week in Germany use two weeks of the same allowance. Non-Schengen EU states such as Ireland and Cyprus are counted separately and need their own permission.
Overstaying
Even a short overstay is recorded and can result in an entry ban that affects future applications anywhere in the area. If your plans slip, address it before your allowance runs out, not after.
This guide is general information, not advice on your case, and requirements change without notice. Verify against the official source for your destination.