UPDATE: AS OF MARCH 2024, ROMANIA IS PART OF THE SCHENGEN AREA. THIS MEANS THAT TIME SPENT IN ROMANIA WILL BE ADDED TO TIME SPENT IN ANY OTHER SCHENGEN AREA COUNTRY WHEN APPLYING THE 90/180 DAY RULE.
1. Do US citizens need a visa to travel to the Schengen area?
Answer: No, U.S. citizens using their US passports can travel without a visa to any country in Schengen, including Romania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus. These three countries are not yet in Schengen but plan to join soon.
2. Which countries are in Schengen?
Answer: As of November 30, 2023, there are 27 countries in the Schengen area: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
3. How long can a US citizen stay in the Schengen area?
Answer: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period – the 90/180-day rule. You can calculate the 180-day period in reverse chronological order, starting with the date of inspection at the border crossing point, or at the date of an actual check. It is not a fixed period.
4. Does the time spent in Romania, Bulgaria, or Cyprus is calculated to the time spent in the Schengen area?
Answer: No. The time spent in Romania, Bulgaria or Cyprus does not count towards the total of 90 days allowed in any 180-day period in the Schengen area. Once you enter either Romania, Bulgaria or Cyprus, the 90-day limit is calculated separately for each country. For example, after spending 90 days in the Schengen zone, you can travel to Romania and stay there for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
5. How many times can a US citizen enter during the 90-day period?
Answer: Multiple times as long as he/she follows the 90/180 day rule. Here is the official link to the Schengen Short Stay Calculator: https://ec.europa.eu/assets/home/visa-calculator/calculator.htm?lang=en
6. What happens if I overstay my 90 days?
Answer: Overstaying the 90 days allowed in the Schengen area in any 180-day period can result in fines and bans on re-entry Schengen countries. Moreover, engaging in unauthorized work, even for less than 90 days, can result in fines and bans on re-entry to the Schengen area.
