No. Monaco is not an EU member, but it uses the euro and has an open border with France. For the 90/180 rule it is treated as part of the Schengen Area.

Can I leave Schengen by going to Monaco?

No. There are no border checks between France and Monaco, and Monaco is treated as Schengen territory, so days there count toward your 90 like days in France.

Are San Marino and the Vatican in Schengen?

Like Monaco, they are not formal members, but they have open borders with Italy. You cannot leave Schengen by visiting them, so treat days there as Schengen days.

Guide

Is Monaco in the Schengen Area?

In practice, yes — Monaco is not a formal Schengen member, but it has an open border with France and is treated as part of the Schengen Area, so days in Monaco count toward your 90 days in any 180.

In the Schengen Area: Not formally

In the EU: No

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 Monaco count toward the 90/180 rule?

Yes. Monaco is not in the EU and did not sign the Schengen agreements itself, but France applies Schengen rules on its behalf and there are no border checks between the two. The UK government describes the Schengen area as including Monaco.

So you cannot stop the Schengen clock by going to Monaco.

Source: GOV.UK: Monaco entry requirements

Entering Monaco

Most visitors arrive through Nice airport or overland from France, so they enter Schengen in France. Your passport must meet the normal Schengen rules.

Sources: GOV.UK: Monaco entry requirements; Schengen Borders Code, Article 6

How EES applies

Monaco has no external border of its own for most travellers. Your EES entry is recorded where you enter Schengen, usually at Nice airport or another French border, and your days keep counting while you are in Monaco.

Sources: EU: EES FAQ; GOV.UK: Monaco entry requirements

Check your own Schengen days

Whatever the answer for Monaco, 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.

Open the Schengen calculator Plan a trip

Common questions

Is Monaco in the EU?: No. Monaco is not an EU member, but it uses the euro and has an open border with France. For the 90/180 rule it is treated as part of the Schengen Area.
Can I leave Schengen by going to Monaco?: No. There are no border checks between France and Monaco, and Monaco is treated as Schengen territory, so days there count toward your 90 like days in France.
Are San Marino and the Vatican in Schengen?: Like Monaco, they are not formal members, but they have open borders with Italy. You cannot leave Schengen by visiting them, so treat days there as Schengen days.