Schengen 90/180 Rule: The Simplest Way to Track Days Without Getting Fined

The Schengen 90/180 rule allows 90 days travel in any 180-day rolling window across 27 European countries. Exceed it, face $5,000-$15,000 fines and deportation.

Yet most travelers misunderstand "rolling 180-day window"—treating it as fixed calendar periods.

The Correct Calculation

Rolling 180-day window (not calendar years):

Any 180 consecutive days looking backward

If today is Dec 7, check: Did you spend >90 days in Schengen between June 9 - Dec 7?

Tomorrow, window resets to June 10 - Dec 8

Example:

Jan 1-31: In Schengen (31 days)

Feb 1-28: In Schengen (28 days)

Mar 1-31: In Schengen (31 days)

Total: 90 days

Apr 1: You cannot enter (would exceed 90 in 180-day window)

But on Sept 1: First day (Jan 1) expires from 180-day lookback window—you can enter again

Tracking Without Fines

Use online calculators:

Schengen Visa Calculator (schengenvisacalculator.com)

Input each day spent in/out of Schengen

Visualize 180-day window rolling

Manual tracking:

Day 0: 0 days spent

Each day in Schengen: +1 day in column

Each day outside: Keep counter, mark which day exits 180-day window

The critical error: Many count total days in a year, not rolling 180-day window.

Bottom line: The rule is strict, rolling windows don't reset, calculators are essential.