Mark604

I'm just looking for a little clarification as to if I've understood this right as I'm not sure what is meant by a rolling 180 day period.
The latest information regarding visiting Spain as a non-resident is -
"From 1 January 2021, you will be able to travel to other Schengen area countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as tourism. This is a rolling 180-day period."

Am I right in believing that the day I enter Spain, the clock starts. I can stay for 90 days but then must leave and not return for another 90 days - but then can stay up to 90 days again.
So in any year I can alternate 3 months (roughly) in the country, then 3 months out, 3 months in (shake it all about....) ad infinitum?

EU.flag

Yes, that is correct. However 90 days dont have to be used in one go, can be split in chunks within that 180 day window.

Joppa

Also 90 days is for the whole of Schengen area, so after 90 days in Spain, you must leave Schengen altogether for 90 days, meaning you have to return to UK, or go to Ireland, Bulgaria, Croatia etc. You can't just spend 90 days in France or Italy in order to reset the clock.

Mark604

Joppa, yes, thanks, I get that it is the Schengen area that has to be left, which is not always easy as if travelling by car, for example, it could take you quite a few days to leave completely.
EU.flag, thanks also. I could be in Spain for example for three periods of thirty days as long as I leave the Schengen area each time in that 180 day period. Once that 180 day period is over, I can start the clock again.

Dxf

Hola

The easiest way is consider today as day 180, and yesterday was day 179 etc. etc So, in the last 180 days how many days OR PART of a DAY have you spent in the Schengen area remembering the rule starts on 1st January 2021.

Davexf .

Mark604

Got it. Thanks.

Bo S

So, you can be in Spain for example, every other month and therefore you could spend six months of the year there in any 360 day period?

You would also never need a long stay visa therefore?

Joppa

Yes, more or less. So if you come to Spain (Schengen) on 1st January, that will be Day 1 of 180-day period, which will expire on 28th June. During that period, you can stay for a total of 90 days. So it can almost be the whole of January (31 days), March (31 days) and May (31 days) = 93 days, so you need to knock 3 days from your total stay to keep within the rule.

missile

Maybe a bit academic. If one arrives on the 01st and leaves on 31st for those three months, I guess that would be counted as 90 days in total.

bfg69bug

i suppose if a customs officer wants to be "pedantic" they could start from the minute that you leave the UK (or other non-shengan area)

Dxf

Hola

The "counting day" of being in the Schengen area starts and includes ANT part of a day so come on the 1st and leave on the 3rd is 3 counting days - so spend "one minute" of a day and the theory says you had spent a day in the Schengen area. Are there any flights past midnight?

Davexf

Joppa

Days of arrival and departure count within the 90 days' allowance.

missile

Thanks for the clarification

EuroTrash

Your passport will be stamped when you enter Schengen to show the date you entered, and that will count as your first day.
The day on which you leave is also counted as a day.
So as Dxf and Joppa have said, arrival and departure days both come off your 90 day allowance. It's logical.

lic

HI, If you use the below link it defaults to a calculator, which maybe useful to those that come and go frequently.
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/visa-calculator/