So, I understand that US citizens do not need a Visa to visit France as tourists, as long as travel does not exceed 90 days in a 180 day period. However, how is that calculated? For instance, we were in Portugal and Spain for tens days, commencing on 9 May. We are planning to go to France, UK and Switzerland on/about 1 September for an additional ~83 days, ending around 23 November. The 180 day period should have started on 9 May and will end 5 November, at which time we will have been in the Schengen Zone 76 days in total (minus a few days for a side trip to the UK, which is not part of the Schengen Zone). So far, so good. QUESTION: Does a new 180 period begin on 6 November and hence any days after count against that new 180 day period? In other words, is the 180 day period a rolling number?
Posted by
Loire Valley
749 posts
https://ec.europa.eu/assets/home/visa-calculator/calculator.htm?lang=en should help your calculations
Posted by
Washington DC
27063 posts
It's a rolling 180-day period, so your earlier Schengen days are not erased on November 6. However, for each day you add in November, you drop a day in May, so it sounds as if you will be OK. You must be very precise in counting your days. For each trip, both your arrival day and departure day count. So was the May trip really 10 days, or was it 11? or 12? And if the upcoming trip begins on September 1 (assuming that's the date you land in Europe) and ends on November 23, that is 84 days, not 83.
Posted by
Freedonia
14946 posts
Since you plan to stay in Schengen that long, you may be questioned about your plans and how you will be able to pay for it all.
And....in the days of Covid, you may want to deduct a few days just in case you test positive. Overstaying your visa due to Covid is not an excuse. If you overstay, you could get fined and banned from entering for up to 10 years.
Posted by
OP
17 posts
Simon thanks. I do find the calculator's instructions to be confusing but will give it another go, later.
acraven, my ten days included the arrival and departure dates. So, if indeed a rolling scenario, I believe you are saying that my original 9 May arrival, fades with the addition of 6 November, 10 May with 7 November and so on. All leading to the end of my "new 180 days" at sometime in March 2023.
Posted by
OP
17 posts
Frank2, great point on COVID!
Posted by
OP
17 posts
This from https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/us-citizens/
"Many people get confused when it comes to the 90/180 rule. But, the rule is very simple. The 180-day period keeps rolling. Therefore, anytime you wish to enter the Schengen, you just have to count backward the last 180 days, and see if you have been present there for more than 90 days throughout that period."
Basically, what acraven said, I believe. So, when I enter on/about 1 Sep, I look back 180 days to on/about 1 Mar and see that I've been in Schengen Zone for ten days. As the "rolling commences" those days in May come off one day at a time, as new ones are equally added until I run out of 90 days.
Phew!
Posted by
Los Angeles
4385 posts
won't they also ask you how much money you have to make sure you don't try to freeload off a member state?