What is the Schengen 90/180 Day Rule?
The Schengen 90/180 rule is simple in principle: visa-exempt travellers (including Australian passport holders) can stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. This rule applies to the entire Schengen Area as a whole—not per country.
This means that time spent in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, or any other Schengen country all counts towards your 90-day limit. The 180-day period is "rolling," meaning it's calculated backwards from any given day, not from a fixed date.
How to Calculate Your Remaining Days
The 180-day period is a rolling window that moves forward each day. Here's how to calculate your remaining days:
1
Look Back 180 Days
From today's date, count back 180 days. This creates your "window" for calculation.
2
Count Your Schengen Days
Add up all days you've spent in the Schengen Area during this 180-day window. Include entry and exit days.
3
Calculate Remaining Days
Subtract your spent days from 90. The result is how many more days you can stay.
4
Plan Your Exit Date
Use our date calculator to add your remaining days to today's date and find your latest exit date.
Schengen Countries (2026)
The Schengen Area currently includes 27 European countries. Time spent in any of these countries counts towards your 90-day limit:
🇦🇹Austria
🇧🇪Belgium
🇭🇷Croatia
🇨🇿Czechia
🇩🇰Denmark
🇪🇪Estonia
🇫🇮Finland
🇫🇷France
🇩🇪Germany
🇬🇷Greece
🇭🇺Hungary
🇮🇸Iceland
🇮🇹Italy
🇱🇻Latvia
🇱🇮Liechtenstein
🇱🇹Lithuania
🇱🇺Luxembourg
🇲🇹Malta
🇳🇱Netherlands
🇳🇴Norway
🇵🇱Poland
🇵🇹Portugal
🇸🇰Slovakia
🇸🇮Slovenia
🇪🇸Spain
🇸🇪Sweden
🇨🇭Switzerland
⚠️ Important Note
Non-Schengen EU countries like Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Romania have separate visa rules. Time spent there does NOT count towards your Schengen 90 days, but you may need to check their specific entry requirements.
Practical Examples
Example 1: Simple Trip
Sarah visits Europe for a 60-day trip starting 1 March. She has used 60 days and has 30 days remaining until 27 August (180 days from 1 March).
Example 2: Multiple Trips
| Trip | Entry Date | Exit Date | Days Used |
|---|
| Trip 1 (Italy) | 1 January | 20 January | 20 days |
| Trip 2 (France) | 15 March | 30 March | 16 days |
| Trip 3 (Spain) | 1 June | ? | ? |
On 1 June, looking back 180 days (to 4 December previous year), Trip 1 is within the window (20 days) and Trip 2 is within the window (16 days). Total used: 36 days. Remaining: 54 days.
Example 3: Day Count Reset
If you used all 90 days ending on 1 March, you'd need to wait until those days "drop off" the 180-day window. Days from early in your stay begin dropping off 180 days after they occurred, gradually restoring your allowance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Thinking it's 90 consecutive days: The rule is 90 days within any 180-day period, not 90 consecutive days followed by 90 days out.
- Per-country counting: Days are counted across the entire Schengen Area, not per country.
- Ignoring entry/exit days: Both your entry day and exit day count as full days in the Schengen Area.
- Assuming a fresh 90 days after leaving: The 180-day rolling window means days only "reset" as they fall outside the 180-day lookback period.
- Not tracking multiple trips: If you've made multiple visits, all days within the last 180 days count.
⚠️ Consequences of Overstaying
Overstaying can result in fines, deportation, and being banned from the Schengen Area for future visits. Always track your days carefully and leave with time to spare.
Australian Travellers: Key Information
As an Australian passport holder, you can enter the Schengen Area visa-free for short stays. Here's what you need to know:
Entry Requirements
- Valid Australian passport: Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from Schengen
- Proof of onward travel: Return or onward ticket may be requested
- Proof of accommodation: Hotel bookings or invitation letter
- Proof of sufficient funds: Evidence you can support yourself during your stay
- Travel insurance: Recommended but not always mandatory for Australians
ETIAS (Coming Soon)
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will require Australians to obtain pre-travel authorisation before visiting. Check the latest requirements before planning your trip.
Using Our Date Calculator for Schengen Planning
Our free date calculator makes Schengen planning easy:
Calculate Your 90-Day Limit
- Enter your entry date as the start date
- Select "Add (+)"
- Enter 90 in the days field
- The result shows the latest date you can stay
Calculate the 180-Day Lookback
- Enter today's date as the start date
- Select "Subtract (-)"
- Enter 180 in the days field
- The result shows the start of your current 180-day window
Quick Presets
Our calculator includes a +90 button specifically for Schengen visa calculations—one click shows your 90-day limit from today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Schengen 90/180 day rule?
The 90/180 rule allows visa-exempt travellers (including Australians) to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling period. This limit applies to all 27 Schengen countries combined—moving between countries doesn't reset your days.
How do I calculate my remaining Schengen days?
Look back 180 days from today and count all days you've spent in Schengen countries during that period. Subtract from 90 to find your remaining days. Our date calculator can help with the date arithmetic.
Do entry and exit days count?
Yes, both your entry day and exit day count as full days in the Schengen Area. If you enter on 1 January and leave on 10 January, that's 10 days used.
Can I reset my 90 days by leaving the Schengen Area?
Not immediately. The 180-day window is rolling, so days only "drop off" as they fall outside the 180-day lookback period. You can't simply leave for a day and get a fresh 90 days.
Does the UK count towards Schengen days?
No. The UK is not part of the Schengen Area and has its own visa rules. Time in the UK doesn't count towards your Schengen 90 days.
What happens if I overstay?
Overstaying can result in fines (varying by country), deportation, and being banned from the Schengen Area. In serious cases, it may affect your ability to obtain visas for other countries.
Do Australians need a visa for Europe?
For short stays (under 90 days for tourism or business), Australian passport holders can enter visa-free. For longer stays, work, or study, you'll need to apply for the appropriate visa.
How can I stay longer than 90 days?
Options include: applying for a national visa (Type D) from a specific country, obtaining a work or study permit, or planning your travels to include non-Schengen countries (like Croatia before 2023, UK, Ireland) to preserve Schengen days.