Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common questions about the Schengen 90/180 rule, our calculator, and how to use the results.
Yes. Both the entry date and the exit date are counted as full days spent in the Schengen Area. This is the interpretation confirmed by the European Commission's own short-stay calculator. A stay from 1 May to 10 May counts as 10 days, not 9.
For any specific day D that you are present in Schengen, the applicable window is the 180 consecutive calendar days ending on D (i.e., D−179 through D, inclusive). The rule is checked independently for every day of your stay — not just the first or last day. The window 'rolls' forward every day.
Only if all of your previous Schengen days still fall within the rolling 180-day window at the moment you check. If some of your past stay days are older than 180 days from your check date, they have 'rolled out' of the window and no longer count against your allowance. Simple subtraction from 90 can be overly conservative — or, in some edge cases, dangerously inaccurate.
It depends on the exact dates. A day from 181 days ago falls outside the current 180-day window and does not count. A day from 180 days ago (D−179) is the first day of the window and does count. Use the calculator to determine the exact overlap.
Exactly 90 days within any 180-day rolling window is the maximum permitted. Day 90 is compliant; day 91 would be a violation. Our calculator evaluates each day individually and flags the precise day on which a violation would occur.
Yes. Days in any Schengen member state count equally against the 90-day limit. The Schengen Area currently consists of 29 countries. See the 'How It Works' page for the full list.
Generally, days spent in Schengen under a valid D-visa or uniform-format residence permit are not counted against the 90-day short-stay allowance. However, the rules are complex and vary by permit type and member state. Our calculator lets you mark stays as 'Long-stay visa' or 'Residence/work permit' to exclude them from the short-stay count. Always seek legal advice for your specific situation.
No. A compliant calculation result does not guarantee entry. Border authorities make final decisions and may consider factors beyond the 90/180-day rule, including your visa conditions, purpose of travel, funds available, and other documentation. This tool is a planning aid, not an official determination.
No. All calculations run entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your travel data is never transmitted to our servers. If you use the Save feature, data is stored in your browser's localStorage — local to your device. Clearing your browser data will delete it.
The PDF report is generated entirely in your browser from the same data and calculation results shown on screen. It is not transmitted to any server. The download is an HTML file — open it in any browser and use File → Print → Save as PDF to create a PDF.
Always defer to official sources — your embassy, the EC short-stay calculator, or a qualified immigration lawyer. This tool applies the rolling window rule as documented, but cannot account for additional conditions specific to your nationality, visa type, or individual circumstances. If there is any discrepancy, seek official advice before travelling.
If you enter two stays that overlap in time, the calculator will warn you. Overlapping days may be double-counted, which can cause artificially high day totals. Review your trip data if you receive an overlap warning.
Enter the best estimates you have and note that the result will be approximate. Border stamps in your passport are the authoritative record. If you're unsure about dates, use conservative estimates (more days, not fewer) and check with official sources.
The calculator implements the rolling 180-day window rule as documented in EU Regulation 2016/399 and EC guidance, with inclusive date counting consistent with the official EC short-stay calculator. We have not conducted a systematic comparison against every possible scenario of the official EC tool. Use this as a planning aid and always verify important calculations with official sources.
The Schengen Area and the European Union are not identical. Some EU countries (like Ireland and Cyprus) are not Schengen members; some non-EU countries (like Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein) are Schengen members. The 90/180-day rule applies to the Schengen Area specifically, not to all EU countries.
Still have questions?
Read the full How It Works guide for detailed explanations and worked examples, or open the calculator to check your specific situation.
For questions requiring legal certainty, consult your country's consulate or a qualified immigration lawyer. Always verify with theofficial EC calculator.
