Simpler method introduced for calculating short stays on a Schengen Visa

Short stays in the Schengen Area are calculated according to a new method starting from 18 October 2013. When the maximum short stay and its follow-up period was previously calculated in months, it is now calculated in days.  In practice, the change does not have a significant effect on the movement of ordinary passengers. The change is based on Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council 610/2013/EU.

The wording pertaining to the maximum length, “three months”, was changed to 90 days, and instead of a six-month follow-up period, the duration of stays is monitored for a period of 180 days. In accordance with the amended wording, the maximum permissible duration of stay is 90 days during any 180-day period.

Especially if you apply for a multiple entry visa, it would pay to consult the short-stay calculator(Link to another website.) on the European Commission’s English-language website to check the number of days stayed on your previous visa. The website also gives instructions on how to use the calculator.

Starting from the calculation date, the short-stay calculator shows how many days you can stay in the Schengen Area. The calculator can be used only to calculate the short stays of multiple entry visas that have been granted to be used for 90 days during a period of at least 180 days.


The new calculation takes into account only the duration of stays that have taken place during the 180 days preceding the calculation date. Stays that have begun before 22 April 2013 cannot be entered into the calculator even if the duration of the stay would have continued during the 180 day follow-up period. The calculation method in use before the change in legislation, according to which the duration of a stay is calculated from the first date of entry, is applied to stays preceding this date.