Is Norway in the EU or Schengen?

Schengen, not the EU. Norway applies the Schengen rules and is in the European Economic Area, but voters rejected EU membership, so it is not an EU member.

Is Svalbard in Schengen?

No. Svalbard is part of Norway but outside the Schengen Area, and Norway's Immigration Act does not apply there. You reach it through mainland Norway, which is Schengen, so plan your Schengen days around both flights.

Do days in Norway count toward the 90-day limit?

Yes. Days in mainland Norway count toward the Schengen 90 days in any 180, shared with every other Schengen country. Norway has no separate allowance for visa-free visitors.

Guide

Is Norway in the Schengen Area?

Yes — mainland Norway is part of the Schengen Area, although Norway is not in the EU. Days there count toward your 90 days in any 180; the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard is the exception and is outside Schengen.

In the Schengen Area: Yes

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 Norway count toward the 90/180 rule?

Yes for mainland Norway. Norway has applied the Schengen rules since 2001 through the Nordic Passport Union and an agreement with the EU. It is in the European Economic Area but not the EU.

Svalbard is different. Norway's Immigration Act does not apply there, and the Governor of Svalbard advises travellers who need a Schengen visa to get a double-entry visa so they can return to mainland Norway. That makes Svalbard time outside Schengen, but keep your boarding passes as proof of when you went and came back.

Sources: European Commission: the Schengen Area; Governor of Svalbard: entry and residence

Entering Norway

Visa-free visitors follow the normal Schengen rules. The land border with Russia is an external Schengen border; borders with Sweden and Finland have no routine passport checks.

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.

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

Check your own Schengen days

Whatever the answer for Norway, 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 Norway in the EU or Schengen?: Schengen, not the EU. Norway applies the Schengen rules and is in the European Economic Area, but voters rejected EU membership, so it is not an EU member.
Is Svalbard in Schengen?: No. Svalbard is part of Norway but outside the Schengen Area, and Norway's Immigration Act does not apply there. You reach it through mainland Norway, which is Schengen, so plan your Schengen days around both flights.
Do days in Norway count toward the 90-day limit?: Yes. Days in mainland Norway count toward the Schengen 90 days in any 180, shared with every other Schengen country. Norway has no separate allowance for visa-free visitors.