How long can UK citizens stay in Europe after Brexit?

Up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area without a visa. Days in any Schengen country count toward the same 90. Ireland is not in Schengen, so days there do not count.

Why was I refused with a valid UK passport?

Schengen checks two dates. Your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you arrive and valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave. A passport can be in date and still fail one of these.

Where do I do EES if I take the Eurostar or ferry?

At Eurostar St Pancras, Eurotunnel Folkestone and the Port of Dover, the French border check and EES registration happen in the UK before you leave. Allow extra time at the terminal.

Guide

Schengen 90/180 rules for UK citizens

Since Brexit, British citizens are treated like other visa-free visitors. You can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area without a visa. Visits to any Schengen country in the previous 180 days count toward the 90.

Facts checked 28 September 2026. Entry rules change. Confirm them with the official source linked in each section before you travel.

The passport rules that catch British travellers

Two dates on your passport matter. The UK government says your passport must:

have a date of issue less than 10 years before the day you arrive, and
have an expiry date at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen Area.

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

What 90 days covers

The 90 days are for tourism, visiting family and friends, business meetings and short courses. Working is different and usually needs a permit from the country concerned. To stay longer than 90 days you need that country's visa or residence permit.

The UK government warns that if you overstay the visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to three years.

Source: GOV.UK: France entry requirements

EES: your days are now counted at the border

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) started on 12 October 2025 and has been fully operational at every external Schengen border since 10 April 2026. It applies to UK citizens on short stays and replaces passport stamps.

On your first entry it records your passport details, a facial image and four fingerprints. After that, every entry and exit is logged with its date and place. Children under 12 are not fingerprinted.

The system counts your days for you. If you stay past 90 days in any 180, you are listed as an overstayer automatically — no stamp needs to be read.

If you leave from Dover, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras, the French border check — including EES registration — happens in the UK before you travel. Allow extra time.

Sources: EU: EES FAQ; EU: data held by the EES; European Commission: EES fully operational (10 April 2026); GOV.UK: EU Entry/Exit System

ETIAS: not in operation yet

ETIAS is a travel authorisation, not a visa. When it starts, UK citizens will need one before travelling to Schengen countries and Cyprus. It will cost €20 (no fee under 18 or over 70) and last three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

As of 28 September 2026 it is not running and no applications are being taken. The EU has said it will announce the start date several months in advance, followed by a transition period in which travellers without ETIAS are not refused. ETIAS will not change the 90/180 rule.

Sources: EU: what is ETIAS; European Commission: ETIAS will cost EUR 20; EU: ETIAS timeline explained

No extra days for UK passports

Some nationalities have old bilateral agreements that allow extra time in one Schengen country. UK citizens do not. The UK government's advice for individual countries says that to stay longer you must meet that country's own visa or permit rules, and Denmark's list of bilateral partners does not include the UK.

Sources: Danish Immigration Service: visa-free visits; GOV.UK: France entry requirements

Ireland is not Schengen

Ireland is outside the Schengen Area, so days there do not use any of your 90. British and Irish citizens can keep travelling freely between the UK and Ireland under the Common Travel Area. EES does not apply in Ireland or Cyprus.

Sources: GOV.UK: Ireland entry requirements; GOV.UK: EU Entry/Exit System

The 90/180 count itself does not change

Whatever passport you hold, the count works the same way. On every day you are inside Schengen, look back 180 days. The days you were present must not exceed 90. The day you arrive and the day you leave both count. All 29 Schengen countries share one pool of days.

See it worked through with real dates in the Schengen calculator for UK citizens.

Check your own dates

Add your past stays and see how many of your 90 days you have used, and the last day you can stay if you entered today. Built for UK citizens and anyone else on a visa-free short stay.

Open the Schengen calculator Plan a trip

Common questions

How long can UK citizens stay in Europe after Brexit?: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area without a visa. Days in any Schengen country count toward the same 90. Ireland is not in Schengen, so days there do not count.
Why was I refused with a valid UK passport?: Schengen checks two dates. Your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you arrive and valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave. A passport can be in date and still fail one of these.
Where do I do EES if I take the Eurostar or ferry?: At Eurostar St Pancras, Eurotunnel Folkestone and the Port of Dover, the French border check and EES registration happen in the UK before you leave. Allow extra time at the terminal.