How long can British citizens stay in the Schengen Area?

90 days in any 180. Visa-free: 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states (Cyprus and Ireland are not Schengen and count separately). The EU Entry/Exit System has logged every entry and exit since 12 Oct 2025 (everywhere since 10 Apr 2026) and flags overstays. ETIAS (EUR 20 online authorisation) is not running yet and has no confirmed start date; the EU will announce it months in advance.

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Checked against official sources ·
How long
90 days in any 180

Counted in any rolling 180-day window.

Tax residency
183 days

Counted in a calendar year.

The rule for British citizens

Visa-free: 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states (Cyprus and Ireland are not Schengen and count separately). The EU Entry/Exit System has logged every entry and exit since 12 Oct 2025 (everywhere since 10 Apr 2026) and flags overstays. ETIAS (EUR 20 online authorisation) is not running yet and has no confirmed start date; the EU will announce it months in advance.

Don’t count your days in the Schengen Area by handNoverstay logs the country you’re in and tells you your leave-by date.
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Your days, with an example

Arrive on Sun 1 November 2026 with no other days in the Schengen Area in the past 180 days, and your last day is Fri 29 January 2027. Stay the full 90 days and you can come back for another full 90 from Fri 30 April 2027. Earlier trips in the window reduce what you have left.

Check your own dates with the free Schengen 90/180 calculator.

Staying longer

You become tax resident in Schengen Area after 183 days in a calendar year. Set per country. Portugal and Spain: 183 days in a calendar year.

Other passports

PassportStay
EU, EEA or Swiss passportFreedom of movement
US passport90 days in any 180
Indian passportVisa · 90 in 180

All the details: Schengen Area rules for every passport.

Questions

Do British citizens need a visa for the Schengen Area?

Not for a short stay. Visa-free: 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states (Cyprus and Ireland are not Schengen and count separately). The EU Entry/Exit System has logged every entry and exit since 12 Oct 2025 (everywhere since 10 Apr 2026) and flags overstays. ETIAS (EUR 20 online authorisation) is not running yet and has no confirmed start date; the EU will announce it months in advance.

How long can British citizens stay in the Schengen Area?

90 days in any 180. Visa-free: 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states (Cyprus and Ireland are not Schengen and count separately). The EU Entry/Exit System has logged every entry and exit since 12 Oct 2025 (everywhere since 10 Apr 2026) and flags overstays. ETIAS (EUR 20 online authorisation) is not running yet and has no confirmed start date; the EU will announce it months in advance.

When do British citizens become tax resident in Schengen Area?

You become tax resident in Schengen Area after 183 days in a calendar year. Set per country. Portugal and Spain: 183 days in a calendar year.

Can Noverstay count my days in the Schengen Area?

Yes. The app logs the country you’re in each day and reminds you before your Schengen 90/180 limit. Only the country, city and date are stored.

Official sources

Rules change often. This page is not legal or tax advice. Check the official source before you travel.