The Schengen Area is a shared zone in the European continent where participating countries have abolished the need for visas, passports, and other types of border control measures.
Third-country nationals, meaning citizens from any country not within the EU or who do not enjoy the right to free movement, such as the United States, India, or China, can still access the countries within the Schengen Area, albeit under normal border control policies.
One of the most important rules to keep in mind is the 90-180 Schengen rule.
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Why Does This Affect Portugal?
In 1995, Portugal signed the Schengen Convention.
Ever since, it's been part of the shared Schengen Zone, a common area where the borders have been abolished.
Founded by the idea of freedom of movement, nationals from Schengen states can move freely, work, and live in each other’s territories without special formalities.
As a Schengen state, the 90-day rule applies to Portugal.
What is the Difference Between the European Union and the Schengen Zone?
It is important to note that the EU and the Schengen Zone are not mutually exclusive.
A country can be in the EU and not in the Schengen Zone. Likewise, a country can be in the Schengen Zone, and not in the EU.
While the EU is a political and economic union, the Schengen Zone is a common area ruled by freedom of movement.
As of February 2026, the EU has 27 Member States:
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
In March 2024, The Schengen Zone got bigger, Bulgaria and Romania’s accession. Now, the Schengen Zone includes 25 of the aforementioned 27.
The only countries not part of Schengen Zone are Cyprus and Ireland.
Traveling to these countries will require understanding each country’s visa policies. Ireland, due to its Common Travel Area shared with the United Kingdom, operates its own visa policy. Cyprus is currently under evaluation to join the Schengen Zone.
Furthermore, 4 other non-EU member states are part of the Schengen Zone: Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
The Schengen Zone 90/180-Day Rule Explained
To control its external borders and verify the legal status of those who enter the Schengen Zone, the signatory states consider short stays if they do not surpass the threshold of 90 days.
If a traveller seeks to stay in any of the Schengen states for longer than 90 days, they must either acquire a long stay visa or a residency permit.
When a third-country travels to a Schengen state, and if they do not have any intention of surpassing the threshold, they can only stay for a maximum of 90 days within a period of 180 days.
The 180-day period starts ticking on the day the traveller first steps into any of the 27 countries in the Schengen Zone.
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Here is a Schengen 90-day rule example:
- Landing in Lisbon on January 1st and staying in Portugal for 90 days in a row means having to leave the Schengen Area by March 31st.
- You can come and go as you wish as long as your time inside Schengen never exceeds 90 days within the last 180 days.
- You can stay in Schengen up to June 29th, if you don't use your 90 days in a row.
- You may re-enter as soon as enough earlier days drop out of the last-180-day window.
- This means that, even if you did use your 90 days in a row and left by March 31st, you can still make a trip from September 1st to September 10th.
- In this situation, you still have 64 days available. Why? Because the previous 180 days run from March 6th to September 1st, which only contains 26 of your Jan–Mar days.
- If you want to arrive with a fresh 90-day allowance at entry, wait until the last 180-day window contains no past stays, which would only be possible from September 28th onward (March 31t + 180 days).
The EU is also expected to tighten entry and exit requirements with its new “Smart Borders” policies.
Obtain Unlimited Schengen Entry with Portuguese Residency
If you wish to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days without the need to leave the country or the Schengen Zone, obtaining Citizenship is a must.
Getting a Residency Permit is the first step toward it.
Portugal is one of the safest countries to live in the world, with an affordable quality of life, and excellent healthcare.
Both the Portugal Golden Visa and the D2 Visa enables benefits such as family reunification, visa-free travel to the Schengen Zone, and opportunities to expand into the EU and the rest of the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Can U.S. Citizens Stay in Europe?
As third-country nationals, U.S. citizens can stay in the European Schengen Zone for 90 out of 180 days.
How Long Can British Citizens Stay in Europe?
As the United Kingdom is no longer in the European Union or the Schengen Zone, British citizens must comply with the Schengen Zone 90/180-Day rule and are only allowed to stay for 90 days out of any 180-day period.
How Long Can I Stay in Europe Without a Visa?
It depends on your citizenship and passport. If you are from a visa-exempt country, you can typically stay for 90 days out of a 180-day period. If not, you must verify the necessary conditions before travelling to Europe and acquire the proper visa.
Can I Travel to More Than One European Country in the Schengen Zone During the 90 Days?
Yes, if you come from a visa-exempt country, the Schengen Zone operates as one collective unit, meaning you can travel to any Schengen country during the 90 days period. Keep in mind the number of days does not reset each time you go to a different country.
If I Exit the Schengen Zone and Want to Return, Do I Need to Reapply for a New Visa?
If you come from a non-visa-exempt country, and your Schengen Visa is still valid, you do not need to get another visa. You may enter the Schengen Area again, as long as you still have days available out of the 90. If you do not, you will have to wait another 90 days.
If your visa has expired, you will need to reapply to enter the Schengen Zone.
Am I Obligated to Use My 90 Days in the Schengen Zone Consecutively?
No. You do not have to stay 90 days in a row in the Schengen Zone. You can use 90 days intermittently within a 180-day period. For instance, you can use 15 days within a 180-day period, exit, and return 20 days later, since the 90 days have not yet expired.
Are There Consequences if I Overstay Past the 90 Days in the Schengen Zone?
If your 90 days in the Schengen Zone are coming up, you need to leave the Area and will only be able to return after another 90 days have passed. If you do not, you may face severe penalties, including deportation, heavy fines, and even a permanent ban from returning to the Schengen Zone.
How Can I Stay in Europe for More Than 90 Days?
Any stay longer than 90 days is no longer considered a short visitation stay. If you intend to stay longer than 90 days, you will need to acquire a Residency Visa in a specific country of your choice. Please also keep in mind that will only let you stay for longer than 90 days in that country. You are still limited by the 90/180-Day rule when visiting other Schengen countries.
