How long can you stay in the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is a group of 29 European countries that operate as a single zone for travel purposes. Most non-EU passport holders can stay up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling window — the math is unforgiving.
For 11 of the 12 passports we cover. Check yours below.
By passport
| Passport | Visa-free stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | 90 days in any 180 days | — |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 90 days in any 180 days | — |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 90 days in any 180 days | — |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 90 days in any 180 days | — |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 90 days in any 180 days | — |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 90 days in any 180 days | — |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | 90 days in any 180 days | — |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | 90 days in any 180 days | — |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | 90 days in any 180 days | — |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | 90 days in any 180 days | — |
| 🇮🇱 Israel | 90 days in any 180 days | — |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | Visa required | — |
How the days count
- Arrive in the Schengen Area on 1 June — that's day 1 (entry and exit days both count).
- Your last legal day is 29 August (day 90).
- Once those 90 days are used, every day counts back 180 days. After a full 90-day stay you need 90 days outside — the earliest date you could come back for another full 90-day stay is 28 November.
- Leaving and re-entering does not reset the count. Short trips in between still add up.
Good to know
- 29 countries, one shared limit
- 90 days within any 180-day window
- EES tracks entries/exits automatically (since 2026)
Staying longer
If you want to stay longer, options include a national long-stay visa (D visa) from any member state, digital nomad visas (Portugal, Spain, Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Italy), or freelance / artist visas (Germany, Netherlands).
If you overstay
Overstaying — even by a day or two — can mean fines, detention, deportation and a ban on coming back, and it can follow you on future visa applications. Penalties vary by country and by case, so confirm the current rules with the official source below.
Questions people ask
How long can Americans stay in the Schengen Area?
Americans can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
How long can British citizens stay in the Schengen Area?
British citizens can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
How long can Canadians stay in the Schengen Area?
Canadians can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
How long can Australians stay in the Schengen Area?
Australians can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
More in Europe
Last verified against an official source: 2026-05-21.
Official source: ec.europa.eu
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