How Long is a Schengen Visa Valid For?

The validity period printed on your Schengen visa sticker isn't the same as how long you can actually stay. This distinction trips up a lot of travelers, and misunderstanding it can lead to overstaying without realizing it. Here's what the numbers on your visa really mean.

Note for US citizens: Americans don't need a Schengen visa for stays up to 90 days. This guide is primarily for travelers from countries that require visas. If you're American, check our guide on whether US citizens need a visa for Europe.

Validity Period vs. Duration of Stay

Your Schengen visa has two important time limits, and they work independently.

Validity period is the window during which you can use your visa for entry. It's shown as the "FROM" and "UNTIL" dates on your visa sticker. Think of this as your travel window.

Duration of stay is the maximum number of days you can actually remain in the Schengen Area. This is always capped at 90 days within any 180-day rolling period, regardless of how long your visa is valid.

Here's an example: You receive a multiple-entry visa valid from January 1, 2026 to January 1, 2028 (two years). This means you can enter the Schengen Area anytime during those two years. But once you're inside, you can still only stay 90 days per 180-day period. The two-year validity doesn't give you two years of continuous stay.

According to the EU's Migration and Home Affairs department, this 90/180 rule applies to all short-stay visa holders without exception.

Entry Types Explained

Your visa sticker indicates how many times you can enter the Schengen Area during its validity period.

Single Entry (marked "1")

A single-entry visa allows one crossing into the Schengen zone. Once you exit, the visa becomes invalid even if its validity dates haven't expired. If you leave for a weekend trip to London (which isn't in Schengen) and try to return, you'll be denied entry because you've already used your one entry.

Double Entry (marked "2")

This allows you to enter twice during the validity period. After your second exit, the visa is void. Useful if you plan to leave and return once, such as visiting Croatia or the UK mid-trip.

Multiple Entry (marked "MULT")

The most flexible option. You can cross in and out of the Schengen Area as many times as you want during the validity period. The 90/180 rule still applies to your total time inside, but there's no limit on the number of separate visits.

How Long Can Multiple-Entry Visas Last?

Multiple-entry Schengen visas can be valid anywhere from six months to five years. The exact duration depends on your travel history, the purpose of your trips, and how well you've complied with previous visa conditions.

According to AXA Schengen, first-time applicants typically receive visas that match their planned trip length. But frequent travelers who build a good track record can qualify for progressively longer visas through what's called the cascade system.

The Cascade System: Building Up to 5 Years

Introduced in the 2020 Visa Code reform, the cascade system rewards travelers who comply with visa rules by granting progressively longer validity periods.

Here's how the standard cascade works:

For most travelers, reaching the five-year level takes about four to five years of building history. You can accelerate this by traveling frequently and consistently demonstrating legitimate travel purposes.

There are some important caveats:

• Overstaying resets progress. Even a single overstay can send you back to the beginning of the cascade.
• Passport validity matters. Your visa can't extend beyond your passport's expiration date. A five-year visa won't help if your passport expires in two years.
• Airport transit visas don't count. Only standard Type C visas build your cascade history.

Some nationalities have more favorable cascade terms. Since April 2024, Indian nationals can receive a 2-year visa after just 2 visas in 3 years. Indonesian nationals can qualify for a 5-year visa after using just 1 visa properly.

Reading Your Visa Sticker

Your Schengen visa sticker contains several important pieces of information:

• VALID FOR: Which Schengen states the visa covers (usually "SCHENGEN STATES" for all 29 countries, or specific country codes for limited territorial validity)
• FROM / UNTIL: The dates during which you can use this visa for entry
• TYPE OF VISA: A (airport transit), C (short stay), or D (long stay/national)
• NUMBER OF ENTRIES: Shows 1, 2, or MULT
• DURATION OF STAY: Maximum days you can stay (up to 90)
• REMARKS: Any special conditions or restrictions

Pay close attention to all these fields. A visa valid for only one entry or limited to certain countries can catch you off guard if you're planning a multi-country trip.

The 90-Day Rule Still Applies

This bears repeating: even with a five-year multiple-entry visa, you can still only stay 90 days within any 180-day rolling period.

The 180-day window is calculated backward from any day you're present in the Schengen Area. If you've already spent 90 days in the past 180 days, you cannot enter again until some of those earlier days "fall off" the window.

For travelers making multiple trips throughout the year, this math gets complicated quickly. A two-week trip in April, three weeks in July, and a month planned for October might put you over the limit without realizing it.

Track Your Days

Whether you're working toward a longer visa through the cascade system or just making sure you stay compliant on your current one, tracking your Schengen days is essential.

Our free Schengen calculator helps you see exactly where you stand. For automatic tracking that updates as you travel, try the Days Monitor app on iOS.