Schengen 90/180 rule for UK citizens

With a British citizen passport you can visit the Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Visits to any Schengen country in the 180 days before you travel count toward the 90, and days in Ireland or the UK don’t.

Checked against official sources on 10 November 2026. Not legal advice.

How long can UK citizens stay in the Schengen area?

Up to 90 days in any 180-day period, across all 29 Schengen countries together. Time spent in a country on a residence permit or long-stay visa does not count.

What are the passport rules for UK citizens?

Issued less than 10 years before the date you arrive.
Valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area.

What has changed at the border?

The Entry/Exit System replaces manual passport stamping. Your fingerprints and photo may be taken when you enter or leave, and your EES record is valid for 3 years.
Once ETIAS starts, UK nationals will need one, including for trains and ferries from the UK, where it will be checked before boarding.

What if you live in the EU under the Withdrawal Agreement?

If you hold a Withdrawal Agreement residence document from a country that requires ETIAS, you are exempt from ETIAS and can travel to the other ETIAS countries with it. Documents issued by Ireland don’t give that exemption, and documents issued by Cyprus only cover travel to Cyprus.

Is there a bilateral agreement that gives UK citizens extra time?

Not in the European Commission’s 2019 list of agreements that can extend a stay. That list was published while the UK was still in the EU. Plan on the standard 90 days in any 180.

What happens if a UK citizen overstays?

UK travel advice warns that overstaying may lead to a Schengen entry ban of up to 3 years. See what happens if you overstay.

Questions

Can I work during a visa-free visit?

The UK government says the requirements for working are different. Check the rules of the country you are visiting before you work there.