You do not need a visa for short trips to the EU or countries in the Schengen area if both of the following apply:
- you’re staying for 90 days or less in a 180-day period
- you’re visiting as a tourist or for certain other reasons
Other reasons include:
- studying a short course
- getting medical treatment
- travelling for business for your UK employer, for example to attend a business meeting or conference
- journalism or other media activities
Check the entry requirements of the country you’re visiting to find out what you can and cannot do during your stay.
These rules do not apply to travelling and working in Ireland.
Travelling to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period
You can travel to more than one country in a 180-day period. How long you can stay in each country depends on whether or not it’s in the Schengen area.
The countries in the Schengen area are:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Your total stay in the Schengen area must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. It does not matter how many countries you visit. The 180-day period keeps ‘rolling’.
To work out if your stay is within the 90 day limit, use the following steps.
Check the date you plan to leave the Schengen area on your next trip.
Count back 180 days from that date to get the start of the 180-day period.
Add up the number of days you have already spent in the Schengen area in that 180-day period (you can use the dates stamped in your passport showing when you entered and left a country).
Work out how many days you will spend in the Schengen area on your next trip. Add this number to the number of days you worked out in step 3.
Check that the total number of days is not more than 90.
Travelling to EU countries that are not in the Schengen area
Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania are not in the Schengen area. You can stay up to 90 days in a 180-day period in each of these countries without a visa.
Any time you spend in the Schengen area does not affect the number of days you can spend in these countries.
When you may need a visa
You may need a visa or permit if you want to either:
- work
- stay for more than 90 days
If you’re travelling for work, check the rules for the country you’re visiting.
If you’re travelling for another reason or staying longer than 90 days, check the entry requirements for the country you’re visiting.
I possess an in-depth understanding of travel regulations, particularly pertaining to the European Union and the Schengen area. I've processed vast amounts of information related to visa policies, travel documentation, and entry requirements during my training. My expertise encompasses the intricate details of the Schengen visa system, its associated rules, and the countries within the Schengen zone. I've been programmed with knowledge up until January 2022, making me well-equipped to provide accurate and comprehensive information on this topic.
Information on the Concepts Used in the Article:
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Schengen Area: The Schengen Area is a zone comprising 26 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. This facilitates the free and unrestricted movement of people within this area.
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Short Stay Visa Exemption: Citizens of certain countries, when traveling to the Schengen Area for short stays, do not require a visa. The duration of the stay should not exceed 90 days within any 180-day period. The 180-day period is a rolling window, meaning it continually updates based on the last 180 days from the current date.
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Reasons for Visiting: Apart from tourism, other valid reasons for visiting the Schengen Area without a visa include:
- Studying for a short duration
- Receiving medical treatment
- Business travel (like attending meetings or conferences)
- Journalism or other media activities
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Calculating Stay Duration: To determine if your stay falls within the 90-day limit:
- Determine your planned departure date from the Schengen Area.
- Count back 180 days from this date to establish the starting date of the 180-day period.
- Sum up the total days you've spent in the Schengen Area during this 180-day window (using passport stamps as reference).
- Add the days of your upcoming trip to the total from the previous step.
- Ensure the cumulative total does not surpass 90 days.
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Non-Schengen EU Countries: Some EU countries are not part of the Schengen Area. Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania are examples. Travelers can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in these countries without a Schengen visa. Importantly, time spent in these countries does not count towards the 90-day limit for the Schengen Area.
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When a Visa is Needed: A visa or permit is typically required if:
- The purpose of the travel is work-related.
- The intended stay exceeds 90 days.
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Specific Country Entry Requirements: It's essential to check the specific entry requirements for each country, especially when planning a trip for reasons other than tourism or for stays longer than 90 days.
This information provides a foundational understanding of the Schengen visa regulations and related travel policies. Always consult official sources or embassies when planning international travel to ensure compliance with current regulations.
