How Long Can You Stay in Europe Without a Visa?

European countries have fixed stringent rules on foreign visitors and their stay periods for a while. There are permits for every activity that visitors would want to carry out. Non-EU citizens can stay in any Europe, but not for more than 90 days every 180 days.

It should be noted that your 90-day period starts to count from the day you enter. And the day you leave is regarded as the last day within the period. It is vital to note your entry and exit period to avoid complications.

Yes, you can stay in any European country for more than 90 days. But for this to happen, you must make an ETIAS application called a residency permit. This ETIAS online application form is filled, processed, and granted online.

Have you been confused about what the 90/180 days rule is all about? It is pretty simple. As stated earlier, every country member or citizen outside the European region can stay in any European country for 90 days within 180 days.

Here is how the rule works. If a foreigner wants to travel to any of the EU ETIAS countries or Schengen countries, such a person would need to count 180 days backward and check if they have been in any of the European Union countries or Schengen zone countries for more than 90 days.

In many cases, foreigners do not know how to go about this calculation. As a result, they stay beyond their allowed period without knowing. Some even feel that there is no problem with overstaying. But on the contrary, there are punitive measures for overstayers. You can use the EU time calculator to know how long you can stay in a Schengen country.

The penalties attached to defaulting the rule stand, irrespective of the conditions on which the default happened. Meaning that you would face the penalties even if you breached the rule intentionally or unintentionally.

Also, the nature of the punishment depends on the country where the default was made and the number of extra days. Some countries would give light punishments while others would be very harsh. Irrespective of the level of harshness, the penalties are alike. Some of them are included below.

Many people who have defaulted by overstaying their allowed period are usually faced with difficulties when they want to return to any of the Schengen zone countries. They will encounter delayed checks at the border. Some of them may be rejected, while some would be banned from entering the country for some time.

Monetary charges are popular among Schengen countries. However, the amount charged varies between countries. Defaulters pay fines alongside other penalties like deportation and entry ban.

Often, ETIAS EU countries prevent defaulters from entering their territories. These bans range between a duration of three years and above.

Citizens from NON-EU countries that are found to have overstayed their allowed periods are usually forced to be evicted from where they stay with immediate effect. Some EU countries would mandate them to evacuate within a stipulated short time, while others would put the defaulters in prison and deport them.

These punitive measures are unavoidable, but some people do not serve any punishment at all when they are caught. It happens mostly in cases of people who cannot travel for cogent reasons.