SchengenMap Blog

Schengen 90/180 Rule: The Only Math That Ruins Vacations

The Schengen short-stay limit is usually 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. The annoying part is the word "rolling."

What "rolling 180 days" means

You do not get a clean 90-day "reset" every new trip or every new calendar period. You must count back 180 days from each day you are in Schengen and ensure the total time in that window does not exceed 90.

Official reference: European Commission: Short-stay calculator (explains the 90/180 rule).

UK government's plain-English version (still useful even if you are not British)

The UK government provides a straightforward step-by-step approach for calculating the 90/180 limit. Reference: UK: Travelling to the EU and Schengen area.

The two most common mistakes

• Counting "90 days per country." No. It is 90 total across the Schengen Area (for visa-free short stays).
• Assuming a reset after leaving. Leaving does not reset anything. Time remains in the 180-day window until it "falls off."

Not legal advice. Verify requirements with official sources for your nationality and purpose of travel.