The 90/180 visa-free stay rule is a policy that applies to some non-European Union citizens who are traveling to Europe for tourism purposes. Not many people know how to calculate their stay properly.
Under this rule, a traveller can stay in the Schengen Area (which includes most of Europe) for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without any visas. This means that you can visit any country within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days, but once you have reached this limit, you must wait at least 90 days before returning to the Schengen Area for another 90-day period.
To make it simpler, let's say you enter the Schengen Area on January 1st and stay for 60 days. You can then leave and come back anytime before June 30th (180 days from January 1st) and stay for up to another 30 days. However, if you stay for the full 90 days, you cannot return until 90 days have passed from your departure date.

The 90 days do not restart by exiting Schengen!
It's important to note that this rule applies to all countries in the Schengen Area collectively, not to individual countries. This means that your 90-day limit includes all the days you spend in any Schengen country, not just the country where you entered or spent the most time.
If you plan on traveling to Europe for more than 90 days or for purposes other than tourism, you may need a different type of visa or permit. It's always a good idea to check the visa requirements for your specific situation before you travel.
www.visa-calculator.com is a great Schengen calculator for those frequently visiting Schengen countries, which not only calculates how many days you have left, but also tells you when you can come back again!
Unsure how to calculate your stay? Feel free to get in touch!
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