Questions
Does the 90/180 rule apply to me?
The 90/180 rule limits short stays in the Schengen area for people without an EU, EEA or Swiss passport. These are the questions people ask most about where it applies and to whom.
Does the 90/180 rule apply in Ireland?
No. Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area, so days in Ireland don’t count towards the 90. British and Irish citizens can live in each other’s countries without a limit under the Common Travel Area.
Does it apply to Irish passport holders?
No. An Irish passport is an EU passport, and EU citizens have no 90-day limit anywhere in the Schengen area.
I have a British and an EU passport. Which do I use?
Enter and leave the Schengen area on your EU passport, and the limit does not apply to you. Use the same passport to enter and to leave, so your entries and exits match.
Does Cyprus count?
No. Cyprus is in the EU but not yet in the Schengen area, so days there don’t count towards your Schengen 90. Cyprus applies its own rules to visitors, separately.
Do Switzerland, Norway and Iceland count?
Yes. They are outside the EU but inside the Schengen area, as is Liechtenstein, so days there count.
Do Bulgaria and Romania count?
Yes. Both became full Schengen members on 1 January 2025, so days there count.
What about Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican?
They are not members, but you can only reach them through Schengen countries, with no border check, so time there is usually treated as Schengen time.
I have a residence permit in an EU country.
Days in the country that issued your permit or long-stay visa don’t count towards the 90. Time in other Schengen countries is still limited to 90 days in any 180.
I lived in an EU country before 2021.
If you are a British citizen who was living in an EU country by the end of 2020, the Withdrawal Agreement protects your right to live there. Carry your residence document when you travel.
My spouse is an EU citizen.
Family members of EU citizens who travel with them or join them may be covered by EU free movement rules rather than the 90-day limit. The details depend on the country and your documents, so check before you travel.
Check before you travel
Entry rules change and depend on your own circumstances. GOV.UK's travel advice has each country's entry requirements, and the guide to the 90/180 rule explains how the days are counted.