Schengen DaysUK–Schengen hopping explained: can you go to the UK and come back?
Short answer: You can go to the UK, but it does not reset your Schengen days. UK days simply do not count, and you can come back only once enough of your old Schengen days have dropped out of the rolling 180-day window. After a full 90-day stay, that is 90 days after you left.
Does time in the UK count toward my Schengen 90 days?
No. The UK is not in the Schengen Area, so days there are not counted. The same goes for Ireland, Cyprus, Albania, Turkey and the other non-Schengen countries.
Does going to the UK reset my Schengen days?
No. Nothing resets the count. On any date, the question is only how many days you were in Schengen countries in that date and the 179 days before it. A UK break just means those weeks add nothing.
Example 1: 90 days in Spain, two weeks in London, back to France
| Dates | Where | Schengen days |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan – 31 Mar 2026 | Spain | 90 |
| 1 Apr – 14 Apr 2026 | United Kingdom | 0 |
| 15 Apr 2026 | France (planned) | Would be day 91 — not allowed |
On 15 April the window still holds all 90 Spanish days. The earliest you can re-enter is 30 June 2026, the first day one of the January days has dropped out.
Example 2: 60 days in France, a month in London, then Italy
You were in France 1 Mar – 29 Apr 2026 (60 days), in London 30 Apr – 29 May, and fly to Italy on 30 May. On 30 May you have 30 days left, and none of the March days drop out until late August, so the longest you can stay in Italy is 30 days, to 28 June 2026. The month in London did not give you any days back.
How long can I stay in the UK?
The UK has its own rules. Most visitors can stay up to 6 months per visit (GOV.UK), and many nationalities, including US, Canadian and Australian citizens, need a UK electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before travelling (GOV.UK ETA). The UK expects visitors not to live there through frequent or back-to-back visits.
Is my exit recorded when I leave for the UK?
Yes. Since 10 April 2026 the EES records every exit from the Schengen Area, including on Eurostar and ferries, so your count is exact. Keep your own record too, especially for trips before that date.
Common questions
Can I stay 90 days in Schengen, go to the UK and come back?
Not straight away. UK days do not count but do not reset your Schengen days. After a full 90-day stay you must spend 90 days outside the Schengen Area before you can return.
Does a trip to the UK reset the Schengen 90/180 rule?
No. Leaving the Schengen Area never resets the count. Old Schengen days only drop out of the rolling 180-day window with time.
Do days in Ireland count toward Schengen?
No. Ireland, like the UK, is not in the Schengen Area.