Schengen rules for UK citizens in 2026

Short answer: Since 1 January 2021 UK citizens visiting the Schengen Area are limited to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period, across all 29 countries. Time in Ireland does not count. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years ago and be valid for 3 months after you leave.

General information, not legal advice. Last checked 15 Oct 2026; rules can change. Official source: GOV.UK — Foreign travel advice (entry requirements by country).

The rule in one paragraph

UK citizens can be in the 29 Schengen countries for at most 90 days in any rolling 180-day period, without a visa, for tourism, visiting people, business meetings and similar short stays. The 90 days are shared across all 29 countries. On any date, count the days you were in the Schengen Area during that date and the 179 days before it; the total must not be more than 90. The day you arrive and the day you leave both count.

Read more: the 90/180 rule with worked examples and how to count your days step by step.

What Brexit changed

Before 2021, UK citizens had free movement. Now they are non-EU visitors like Americans or Canadians. Second homes do not give extra days: owning property in Spain or France does not change the 90/180 limit.

Passport: check the issue date as well as the expiry date

The Schengen Borders Code requires a passport that was issued within the last 10 years on the day you enter, and that is valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen Area (Regulation (EU) 2016/399, Article 6). Both conditions apply at the same time.

This catches UK travellers more than most: passports renewed early before October 2018 could have extra months added, so the expiry date can be more than 10 years after the issue date. GOV.UK advises checking both dates (GOV.UK foreign travel advice).

Ireland and the Common Travel Area

Ireland is not in Schengen. Time in Ireland, and in the UK, does not count toward your 90 Schengen days.

Living in the EU before 2021

UK nationals covered by the Withdrawal Agreement (generally, those legally resident in an EU country before 1 January 2021, with a residence document) are not limited by the 90/180 rule in their country of residence. Check your own status with that country's authorities.

What has changed: EES now, ETIAS later

Since 10 April 2026 the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) has replaced passport stamps at the external borders of the 29 countries. Your first crossing records your fingerprints and a photo, and every entry and exit is logged, so the 90/180 count is now done automatically (European Commission). The rule itself did not change.

ETIAS, a travel authorisation costing EUR 20, will be needed once it starts. As of October 2026 it is not in operation, and the EU says it will announce the start date several months in advance (official ETIAS website). It does not change the 90/180 rule either.

On Eurostar from St Pancras, Le Shuttle at Folkestone and ferries from Dover, French border checks — including EES registration — take place in the UK before you travel. Allow extra time on your first trip.

Staying longer than 90 days

To stay longer you need a national long-stay (type D) visa or a residence permit from one Schengen country — for example a study visa, a work permit, or one of the remote-work ("digital nomad") visas several countries now offer. Time spent under a residence permit or long-stay visa is not counted toward the 90 days (Schengen Borders Code, Article 6). Apply to that country's embassy or consulate; requirements differ by country.

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