What Is the Visa 90/180 Rule?
Last updated: 2026-09-03
The 90/180 rule is the most common type of stay-limit visa: the holder cannot stay more than a certain number of days within a specified period. The most typical example is the Schengen visa — the cumulative stay must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.
This calculator uses the fixed-period system: the first entry date is the starting point of each cycle, rather than a fixed calendar day (such as January 1) or a rolling window that slides from day to day.
The Rules of This Tool
| limit | cycle length | cycle starting point | Upper limit within the period | After the cycle ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 180 days quota | 180 days | Date of first entry | ≤ 90 days | Limit reset |
| Annual quota | 365 days | Date of first entry | ≤ 180 days | Limit reset |
That is: 1st 180-day period = [Day of First Entry, Day of First Entry + 179], 2nd period = [Day of first entry + 180, Date of first entry + 359], and so on. The same applies to the annual (365 days) limit.
Calculation Example
- Assuming that you enter the Schengen area for the first time on 2026-03-04, the first 180-day period is 2026-03-04 ~ 2026-08-30.
- If you stay for 27 days from 3/4 to 3/30 and 28 days from 4/1 to 4/28, 55 days have accumulated in the period.
- Until the end of the cycle on 8/30, you can stay at most 35 days(90 − 55).
- Entering the second cycle starting from 8/31, the quota resets to 90 days.
Note: Even if the person has been continuously in the country, after crossing the cycle boundary, the new cycle quota will also be re-accumulated from 0 (each cycle is judged independently).
Fixed-Period System vs Rolling Window
- Fixed-period system (this tool): The period is fixed from the first entry date, resets every 180/365 days, and the quota is cleared at the end.
- Rolling window: Any 180 consecutive days form the judgment window, and days slide out of the window to release quota day by day.
The two calibers can give different results for the same itinerary. Different countries/visa types use different calibers, please refer to the official instructions.
Examples of Differences Between the Two Calibers
Assuming that the visa allows "≤90 days per 180 days", a person enters the country for 90 days on January 1 and then leaves the country:
- Fixed-period system (counted from the date of first entry): The first cycle (1/1–6/29) used up all 90 days. The second cycle starts on June 30 with the quota restored to 90 days, so you can enter again.
- Rolling window (Schengen caliber): Looking back 180 days from your second planned entry date, the 90 days in January are still inside the window. You must wait until the first entry falls 180 days behind (around 6/30) for old days to slide out and quota to gradually release.
In short: the fixed-period system "clears at the end of the period," while the rolling window "releases days one by one". Be sure to confirm which visa you have before departure, otherwise it is easy to misjudge the entry time.
Common Misunderstandings, Clarified
- "90/180 means staying three months out of every half year" — Not entirely. The fixed-period system is calculated from the first entry date, which determines the cycle boundary; the rolling window slides every day. The two have different meanings.
- "The count resets on the day you leave." — Not under the fixed-period system. The accumulated stay in a cycle is the sum of all trip days within that cycle. Leaving the country only pauses the accumulation; it is not cleared.
- "After using 90 days, wait 90 days and you can re-enter." — It depends on the caliber. Under the fixed-period system, you must wait for the current period to end (the period boundary); under the rolling window, you must wait for the old days to slide out of the window.
Consequences of Overstaying
If your accumulated stay in a period exceeds the limit, this is an overstay, which may result in fines, bad records, re-entry restrictions, and problems with future visa applications. Be sure to do your calculations before traveling.
Disclaimer: This article and this tool are for personal reference only and do not constitute legal or visa advice. Specific rules are subject to announcements by official agencies (EU Schengen Visa Information Network, embassies and consulates of various countries).
👉 Back to the Visa length of stay calculator to start calculating, or view the Tutorial.