How are the 90 days counted in the Schengen 90/180 rule?
A rolling 180-day window.
Short answer
The 90/180 rule is a rolling calculation: on every day of your stay, you look back at the previous 180 days and add up the days you spent in the Schengen area. Both the day you arrive and the day you leave count as full days, whatever the time. If you used 31 days in the last 180 days, you have 59 days left. Time on a Danish or other Schengen residence permit, or on a long-stay D visa, does not count.
Why
- You are responsible for knowing how long you may stay.
- Border guards see your past entries in the EES.
- A calendar count avoids mistakes.
Details
If an application for a residence permit is refused after you waited 90 days or more in Denmark, you must leave and wait 90 days before coming back visa-free or on a visa.
Tip
Write down every entry and exit date, including trips to other Schengen countries, and count them on a calendar.
What may differ
Six countries, including Barbados and Mauritius, count 90 days within six months from first entry instead.
Common misconception
The day you arrive in the evening does not count.
What actually happens
Entry and exit days always count as full days, regardless of the time.
People also ask
- How long can I stay in Denmark without a visa?
- What is the EES at the Danish border?
- Do days on a residence permit count?
Sources
This answer is for reference only. Entry and customs rules can change, so check the Danish Immigration Service, the Danish police and the Danish Customs Agency before you travel.
Schengen trip rulesRelated questions
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Do you pay customs on gifts sent to Denmark from outside the EU?
A gift sent by a private person from outside the EU is free of duty and VAT if it is worth EUR 45 or less.
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Can you bring medicine into Denmark?
Yes, from 1 January 2026 you may bring medicine into Denmark for personal use from any country, if it was sold legally in the country where you bought it.
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Can you bring meat and milk into Denmark from outside the EU?
No, travellers coming from a country outside the EU may not bring any meat or dairy products, which includes sausages, cheese and milk.
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Do you have to declare cash over EUR 10,000 when entering or leaving Denmark?
Yes, if you carry cash or other liquid assets worth EUR 10,000 (about 75,000 kr.) or more, you must declare them to Toldstyrelsen when you enter or leave Denmark.