Schengen DaysResidence permit or long-stay visa: how long can you spend in other Schengen countries?
Short answer: If you hold a valid residence permit or national long-stay (type D) visa from one Schengen country, days in that country do not count toward the 90/180 limit. With that permit and a valid passport you can travel to the other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period (Article 21 of the Schengen Convention). Living or working in another country needs its own permission.
Which days count?
| Where you are | Counts toward a 90/180 limit? |
|---|---|
| The country that issued your permit or long-stay visa (for example Spain) | No — you are there as a resident or long-stay visa holder |
| Any other Schengen country (for example France or Italy) | Yes — up to 90 days in any 180 |
| Outside Schengen (UK, Ireland, Cyprus and others) | No — that country’s own rules apply |
What the law says
Article 21 of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement lets people holding a valid residence permit issued by one Schengen country move freely within the other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, with that permit and a valid travel document; holders of a national long-stay visa have the same right (Regulation 265/2010; the 90/180 wording comes from Regulation 610/2013). Separately, the Schengen Borders Code says stays authorised under a residence permit or long-stay visa are not counted toward the short-stay limit (Article 6).
Example: a Spanish digital nomad visa holder
You live in Valencia on a Spanish remote-work permit. Your months in Spain do not count. You spend 20 days in France in March and 25 days in Italy in July: that is 45 of your 90 days used in other Schengen countries, counted the usual rolling way. You could still visit Portugal or Germany, as long as no 180-day window holds more than 90 days outside Spain.
Use the calculator the same way you would as a visitor, but log only your days in Schengen countries other than the one that issued your permit.
Things to watch
- The right is to visit. Moving to, living in or working in another Schengen country needs that country’s own permission.
- Carry the permit card or visa with your passport when you travel; border staff may ask for both.
- Residence permit and long-stay visa holders are among the groups the EES does not apply to (Travel to Europe), so keep your own record of trips to other countries.
- If your permit expires or you are between permits, you are back on visitor rules — and if your nationality needs a visa for short stays, you need one. Check with the issuing country.
- Spending long periods outside the country that issued your permit can affect renewal or tax residence there. Ask that country.
Track your days in other Schengen countries
Common questions
Do days in Spain count toward the 90 days if I have a Spanish residence permit?
No. Time in the country that issued your residence permit or long-stay visa is not counted toward the 90/180 limit.
Can I visit other Schengen countries with a Spanish or Portuguese residence permit?
Yes, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, with your permit and a valid passport, under Article 21 of the Schengen Convention. Living or working there needs that country’s permission.
Does a digital nomad visa let me stay longer than 90 days elsewhere in Schengen?
No. It covers the country that issued it. In other Schengen countries the 90 days in any 180 limit still applies.