Are you worried about the European 90-day rule? Travelers recommend the best places to break the trip.
Are you planning to spend a year exploring Europe? The ’90 day’ rule will probably surprise you: it states that Non-EU citizens with a valid visa can only enter Schengen countries for a total of 90 days in a 180-day period.
This standard applies in 25 of the 27 EU countriesas well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. It may seem like there’s little time left to explore the continent, but don’t pack your bags to head home just yet.
Here’s where to divide your stay to respect the European standard of 90 days and avoid a possible one-year banjust as travelers recommend.
Take your time on Albania’s stunning beaches
Albania is not a Schengen country, which means that many non-EU citizens – including the British – They can spend 90 days there without counting towards the general 90-day rule. Albania is becoming a fashionable tourist destination in Europe thanks to its beautiful beachesmountains, affordable cost of living and welcoming people.
Vlore, on the Adriatic coast, has “the best beaches, great boardwalks, great restaurants and cafes,” says a user on Reddit’s r/travel forum. For longer stays, “the apartments are super cheap to rent and the cost of the Life is incredible,” they add.
Further north, travelers rave about the stunning ferry ride across Lake Komani, which transports you between the towns of Koman and Fierze, among the Albanian Alps, and is part of the famous route from Valbona to Theth. Continue north and you will reach Montenegro, another gem of the Balkans with stunning coastline that is not subject to the 90 day rule.
Combine nightlife and culture in Cyprus
Cyprus is one of two EU countries that are not subject to the 90-day rule because they are not part of the Schengen area. However, has its own 90-day limit for visa applicants. That gives you three whole months to relax in your mediterranean beachesexplore ancient Roman sites and enjoy its lively nightlife.
After partying until the early hours of the morning in Ayia Napa, take a hangover ride along the cliffs of Cavo Greco National Park or take a boat trip to sea caves.
Paphos is also an ideal place for combine nightlife and culture, from the Rock of Aphrodite to the House of Dionysus, with its mosaics, and the Tombs of the Kings ,declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
For a more luxurious getaway, head to Limassol to admire the superyachts in the marina and explore the 4th-century castle. More information in our complete guide to Limassol. If you want to live a active adventure in Cyprus, delve into the Troodos mountain range and discover beautiful villages, wine routes and hiking.
Try your luck in Ireland and the UK
In addition to Cyprus, Ireland is the only other EU country that does not belong to the Schengen area. However, it has its own 90-day limit for tourists.
Ireland also remains a good option for Britons, who still enjoy freedom of movement there under the Common Travel Agreement (despite being isolated from other EU countries after Brexit). This means that Your stay in Ireland does not have any type of limitation.
After downing a few pints of Guinness in Dublin, take a day trip to Galway and the Cliffs of Moher. Another option is to travel the Wild Atlantic Way by road, which stretches along 2,500 kilometers of lush green coastline from Donegal to West Cork.
If he United Kingdom It’s not your homeland, too offers a lot to explore without needing to accumulate days on your Schengen visa. Attend a music festival in London, surf on the English coast of Cornwall, climb Mount Snowdon in Wales, or head north to enjoy the wild beauty of Scotland.
Break up a 90-day stay in Europe in intriguing North Macedonia
North Macedonia offers many tourists visa-free access for 90 days. As it is not part of the Schengen area, it does not count towards the 90-day limit. Borders northern Greeceis a great place to break up your Schengen stay if you’ve been exploring the mountainous Zagori region.
“If you are looking for a country with stunning nature, cheap prices and beautiful architecture, Macedonia is your place,” says one Reddit user.
Explore the Shar Mountains to visit the highlands or to the capital, Skopje, to enjoy “a peculiar mix of old and new.”
Although he Balkan country is landlockedthe lake town of Ohrid offers an aquatic respite: “One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. The water is so clear and perfect for swimming,” says one Reddit user.
ADVERTISINGYou can also head to the Treska River, which “winds between limestone cliffs before bathing in the emerald Lake Matka.”
