What the 90-days-in-180 rule means, the difference between single, multiple-entry and national D visas, and how to count your days.
The 90/180 rule
With a short-stay Schengen visa you can stay up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined. Every day you spend inside counts, including arrival and departure days.
Visa types
- Type C, single entry: one entry; once you leave, the visa is used.
- Type C, multiple entry (MULT): several entries during the visa validity, still within 90/180.
- Type D, national visa: for long stays such as study or work, issued by one country.
Which country do I apply to?
- The country where you will spend the most nights.
- If nights are equal, the country of first entry.
Avoid overstaying
Overstaying can lead to fines and refusals in the future. Count your days before each trip, especially with a multiple-entry visa.
