With the old version of the 90/180 day rule; the clock started from the day you entered the Schengen Area, you had a maximum of 90 days within the area, and the clock would reset after day 180. The new version of the 90/180 day rule is described as a “moving window, based on the approach of looking backwards.” The change was subtle enough for most people to be not even realise it was changed. In fact the only ones who would notice the difference are longer term travellers. Basically, you could use more than 90 days in 180 days because you were using days from your first 180 period and your second 180 period. The most extreme example of this was the Schengen Double Dip.
! - THE REMAINDER OF THIS ARTICLE IN NOW OBSOLETE - !
Sometimes you simply need more than 90 days within the Schengen Area in one hit. The Schengen Double-Dip is a simple trick which allows you to do this.
Anyone who has travelled to Europe will be familiar with the Schengen Area 90 days in a 180 day period rule. This rule can disrupt your travel plans, forcing you to spent 90 days out of the Schengen Area before you can begin a new 180 period. 90 days out of Schengen can work fine if you plan for it, but sometimes you simply need more than 90 days in Schengen in one hit. For example doing a long distance hike or cycle or trying to visit a large number of countries in a particular order.
The Schengen Double-Dip is simple trick playing the 90/180 day rule to your advantage. You don’t avoid the 90 days outside of Schengen, you simply spend those 90 days outside of Schengen first. After you’ve spent the first 90 days outside of Schengen, you spend your next 90 days in Schengen, bringing you up to your total of 180 days. You leave Schengen on day 180 and re-enter the Schengen the next day, now using the first 90 days of your new 180 day period. Using the simple little trick you use your Schengen days back to back giving you a solid 180 days in Schengen with only a day out in the middle.
Example Itinerary
Travel Day | Objective | Schengen Count | Schengen Clock |
|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | Enter the Schengen Area. | 1 / 90 days | Day 1 (first day of 180 day period) |
Day 2 | Leave the Schengen Area. | 2 / 90 days | Day 2 |
Day 3-91 | Travel outside of Schengen. | 2 / 90 days | Day 3-91 |
Day 92 | Enter the Schengen Area. | 3 / 90 days | Day 92 |
Day 93-179 | Travel within Schengen. | 89 / 90 days | Day 93-179 |
Day 180 | Leave the Schengen Area. | 90 / 90 days | Day 180 (last day of 180 day period) |
Day 181 | Enter the Schengen Area. | 1 / 90 days | Day 1 (first day of new 180 period) |
Day 182-270 | Travel within Schengen. | 89 / 90 days | Day 89 |
Day 271 | Leave the Schengen Area. | 90 / 90 days | Day 90 |
Its a simple trick, and one that is often overlooked. I’ve used this trick a couple of times during the 2.5 years I backpacked in Europe, maximising the seasons to my advantage. Depending on how far away from Europe you live; you could even visit Schengen for a few days, fly home for a few months, and then fly back to Europe and spend six entire months in Schengen (with only a day out in the middle). You just have to be smart with your days. I hope this little trick helps!
1 Comment
I have checked this out on the Shengen Calculator and it dos not work. The 90/180 rule is a rolling 180 days and there for only 90 days are allowed in any continuous 180 day period.