Do the Canary Islands count toward the Schengen 90 days?

Yes. The Canary Islands are part of Spain and of the Schengen Area, so every day there counts toward the 90/180 limit, shared with all other Schengen countries.

Why are there customs checks in the Canary Islands?

The islands are outside the EU's VAT area and have a special tax regime, so goods can be checked. That has nothing to do with immigration: for the 90/180 rule they are fully Schengen.

Are Madeira and the Azores in Schengen?

Yes. Both are autonomous regions of Portugal and part of the Schengen Area, so days there count toward your 90 days in any 180.

Guide

Are the Canary Islands in the Schengen Area?

Yes — the Canary Islands are part of Spain and inside the Schengen Area, so every day in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote or the other islands counts toward your 90 days in any 180.

In the Schengen Area: Yes

In the EU: Yes

Days count toward 90/180: Yes

Facts checked 5 October 2026. Entry rules change and differ by passport. Confirm them with the official source linked in each section, or your own government's travel advice, before you travel.

Do days in the Canary Islands count toward the 90/180 rule?

Yes. The islands lie off the coast of Morocco, but they are Spanish territory and Spain applies Schengen across them. A winter in Tenerife uses your 90 days just like a winter in Madrid.

The same goes for Portugal's Azores and Madeira and for Spain's Balearic Islands.

Source: European Commission: the Schengen Area

Getting there

Flights from mainland Spain and other Schengen countries are internal Schengen flights with no passport check. Flights from the UK, Morocco or elsewhere outside Schengen arrive at an external border, where your entry is checked and recorded.

The islands have their own tax and customs regime, which is why you may see customs controls. That is about goods, not about your days.

Sources: Schengen Borders Code, Article 6; European Commission: the Schengen Area

How EES applies

The Entry/Exit System has been fully operational at every external Schengen border since 10 April 2026. On your first entry it records your passport, fingerprints and a facial image; after that, every entry and exit is logged and your 90/180 days are counted automatically.

If you fly straight to the Canaries from the UK or another non-Schengen country, the island airport is where EES registers you.

Sources: European Commission: EES fully operational (10 April 2026); EU: EES FAQ

Check your own Schengen days

Whatever the answer for Canary Islands, your 90 days are counted across all 29 Schengen countries together, and each day looks back 180 days. Add your stays to see how many days you have used and the last day you can stay.

Count your days before you go

Add past stays and a planned trip. Stay180 shows days used in the last 180 and your leave-by date. Free, no account needed.

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Common questions

Do the Canary Islands count toward the Schengen 90 days?: Yes. The Canary Islands are part of Spain and of the Schengen Area, so every day there counts toward the 90/180 limit, shared with all other Schengen countries.
Why are there customs checks in the Canary Islands?: The islands are outside the EU's VAT area and have a special tax regime, so goods can be checked. That has nothing to do with immigration: for the 90/180 rule they are fully Schengen.
Are Madeira and the Azores in Schengen?: Yes. Both are autonomous regions of Portugal and part of the Schengen Area, so days there count toward your 90 days in any 180.