How the rolling window works
On any given day, look back 180 days (including today). Add up every day you spent in the Schengen area in that window. The total must never be more than 90.
- Days of arrival and departure both count as days in Schengen.
- All Schengen countries count together: a week in France and a week in Spain is two weeks.
- The clock does not reset on 1 January or when you leave; days simply drop out of the window 180 days later.
Example
If you spend 60 days in Spain from 1 March to 29 April, you have 30 days left until those March days start to fall out of the window at the end of August.
What happens if you overstay
Overstaying can lead to fines, an entry ban and problems getting visas later. Since the Entry/Exit System (EES) went live, overstays are recorded automatically.
EES and ETIAS
- EES started on 12 October 2025 and has been fully running at all Schengen external borders since April 2026. Non-EU visitors register fingerprints and a facial image on first entry, replacing passport stamps.
- ETIAS, an online travel authorisation (about €20, valid three years) for visa-exempt visitors, is expected to start in late 2026, with a transition period before it becomes mandatory. Check the EU’s official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you travel.
Staying longer
To live in Spain beyond 90 days you need a residence visa or permit, such as the digital nomad visa or the non-lucrative visa. UK citizens who were resident in Spain before 2021 are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.
Official sources: EU travel: EES and ETIAS
