How many days can you stay in Schengen without a visa in 2026?

Up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined. The count is rolling: from each day of stay you count back 180 days, and the total must not exceed 90.

Do days under temporary protection count toward the visa-free limit?

No. Temporary protection grants a residence permit, and a period of stay on a residence permit or a long-stay visa is not entered into the 90/180 rule. While protection is in effect, your visa-free days do not "burn".

What happens to the day count after temporary protection ends?

After losing temporary protection or a national permit, all trips to the EU are again counted under the standard 90/180 rule. Temporary protection is currently extended until 4 March 2027.

Can you work in the EU under visa-free travel?

No. Visa-free travel allows tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and business trips, but not employment. Work requires a separate national permit or an appropriate status (for example, temporary protection, which grants access to the labour market).

Do EES and ETIAS change the 90/180 rule?

No. EES (launched 12 October 2025) automates the recording of entries/exits instead of stamps, and ETIAS (expected at the end of 2026) is an electronic travel authorisation. The 90-days-within-180 limit itself remains unchanged.

What passport is needed for visa-free travel?

A biometric international passport is mandatory. Only it allows visa-free entry into Schengen; with an ordinary (non-biometric) passport a visa is required.

Industry

Visa-free travel for Ukrainians in 2026: how the 90/180 rule works and why temporary protection does not "burn" your days

Published Jul 15, 2025 · Updated Jul 15, 2025 · 6 хв read

Source: European Commission — Short-stay calculator (правило 90/180) Verified Jul 15, 2025

Пластилінова сцена: карта ЄС, табличка UA, паспорт, календар 90/180, посвідка TP та сканер EES.

In short. Up to 90 days within any 180 in Schengen without a visa — with a biometric passport, for tourism/visits/business, but not for work. Days spent under temporary protection or a national permit do not count toward this limit. After losing such a status, the clean 90/180 rule applies again.

Visa-free travel = up to 90 days of stay within any 180 days in the 29 Schengen countries (25 EU states + 4 outside the EU: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein); the count is "rolling": from each day you count back 180 days and the total must not exceed 90.
A biometric international passport is required; tourism, visits to relatives, and business are allowed — but not employment.
Days spent on a residence permit, a long-stay visa (type D), or under temporary protection are NOT counted toward the 90/180 limit.
Temporary protection grants a residence permit and has been extended until 4 March 2027 — while it is in effect, visa-free days do not "burn".
After losing temporary protection or a national permit, the standard 90/180 rule applies again.
In 2026 the Entry/Exit System EES (launched 12.10.2025, fully operational from 10.04.2026) and ETIAS (expected in the last quarter of 2026) are being added — but the 90/180 limit does not change.

Related guides

schengen-area/residence-card

Official sources

Questions

How many days can you stay in Schengen without a visa in 2026?: Up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined. The count is rolling: from each day of stay you count back 180 days, and the total must not exceed 90.
Do days under temporary protection count toward the visa-free limit?: No. Temporary protection grants a residence permit, and a period of stay on a residence permit or a long-stay visa is not entered into the 90/180 rule. While protection is in effect, your visa-free days do not "burn".
What happens to the day count after temporary protection ends?: After losing temporary protection or a national permit, all trips to the EU are again counted under the standard 90/180 rule. Temporary protection is currently extended until 4 March 2027.
Can you work in the EU under visa-free travel?: No. Visa-free travel allows tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and business trips, but not employment. Work requires a separate national permit or an appropriate status (for example, temporary protection, which grants access to the labour market).
Do EES and ETIAS change the 90/180 rule?: No. EES (launched 12 October 2025) automates the recording of entries/exits instead of stamps, and ETIAS (expected at the end of 2026) is an electronic travel authorisation. The 90-days-within-180 limit itself remains unchanged.
What passport is needed for visa-free travel?: A biometric international passport is mandatory. Only it allows visa-free entry into Schengen; with an ordinary (non-biometric) passport a visa is required.