Determine Schengen Visa Validity vs Days
Schengen visas come in all shapes and forms. Well, mostly just Schengen Visa D and Schengen Visa C. But there are different variations that may lead to confusion over the rules of the visa! Let’s talk about Schengen C visas and what validity vs days means.
Validity
First of all, a Schengen visa validity period and the granted duration of stay is different than the days. For example, you cannot necessarily stay in Sweden for the entire period of a visa’s validity. Visas are always issued with a validity that exceeds the number of days that the applicant has been granted permission to stay in Schengen.
Days
A visa will not be granted for stays exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period. So, 90 days is the maximum of standard Schengen C short-stay visas. The counting of the 90 days includes stays in all Schengen countries. The 90 days may be spread across one or more visits, depending on the number of entries you have been granted.
What this means for your travels
Entry and exit are not allowed outside the validity period, and the length of the visit cannot exceed the granted number of days. Both the validity period during which the traveler can enter Schengen and the length in days of the granted stay is printed on the visa.
Read about different scenarios and consequences for overstaying your Schengen visa.
If you remain in a Schengen country after your visa expires or if you attempt to use your visa stay to obtain permanent or long-term residency, you can be given a penalty period (ban) of three or five years where a visa cannot be obtained.
What if I want to stay longer?
Legally, you cannot if you have not applied for a long-stay visa or a visa extension due to medical issues or that you physically cannot leave the country. You would have to apply for a long-stay or an extension before your short-stay visa expires. This would exceed 90 days and usually allow the person to work and reside in the country.
If you want to stay in a country longer because you met someone or found a job, you should consult your Embassy before your visa expires to find out your opportunities.
Mare
October 15, 2019The more I read about Schengen, the more confused I am. I have US passport. Entered Schengen September 6, 2018, departed October 15, 2018.
Re-entered Frankfurt March 5, 2019 (with return to US flight ticket 6 months later). I went to UK June 6, 2019, passport was stamped for Schengen but I was only in UK a few days.
I am still in Schengen. As I research more, it seems I have overstayed by 4 months is using UK June 6, 2109 stamp, 7-8 months if using Nov, 2019 or 12-13 months if using Oct 15, 2018 departure. Honestly, no idea which it is.
I had an unexpected medical issue beginning August & have treatment which continues until November, 2109, when I will leave. I have letter from MD authenticating treatment so should be ok for the latest overstay, depending on which immigration officer checks passport & which entry stamp they look at..
I want to take a train to London & fly out from there. Will immigration ‘leniently’ stamp me out on the Schengen to London train? Or should I take a train to Spain and fly out from there? My question is which country is more lenient in my situation?
When I am back in US, I want to apply to Spain for long term Visa.
Lindsey
October 16, 2019Hi Mare! I am trying to follow all of this, but in the UK you can stay up to 6 months as a tourist if you are on an American passport. It’s Schengen that allows you only 90 days of stay within that 180 day (6 month) period. So March 15 is what they would look at and your stamp back in after your short trip to UK in June. You’ve definitely overstayed, but a doctor’s note will not always suffice for the immigration police. It depends if it proves you literally could not fly.
If you fly to UK, it depends on which country to fly from. UK does not care if you overstayed in Schengen. Only Schengen cares.
Emmy
July 6, 2018Hi Lindsey,
It’s all mighty confusing with the counting back 180 days… Anyhow, I think I’m getting it — but would love to have a confirmation on my calculation. I’m from the USA. just want to make sure before we all book the trip.
Returning to Schengen:
First entered Schengen — March 27, 2018
Left to return to USA – April 14, 2018
Planning to return to Schengen (Spain) — – August 13, 2018
So I’m calculating that I can stay in Spain until November 11 or 12?
Let me know! Appreciate!
Emmy
Lindsey
July 8, 2018Hey Emmy! I received both of your posts (I approve them before), so I’ll just reply to this one. With those dates, you can stay until around November 10th I believe would be correct.