Who this is for
Visa-exempt travellers counting their Schengen days, especially anyone whose trip includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Ireland, Cyprus or the countries that joined Schengen recently.
The countries in one but not the other
The Schengen Area has 29 countries: 25 of the 27 EU members, plus four countries outside the EU.
- In Schengen but not in the EU: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Days there count towards your 90 exactly like days in France or Spain.
- In the EU but not in Schengen: Ireland and Cyprus. Days there do not count towards your Schengen 90.
- Ireland has opted out of Schengen and runs its own border and visa policy. On arrival, an immigration officer decides how long you may stay — up to a maximum of 90 days — and records it with a stamp in your passport.
- The newest members are Croatia, since 1 January 2023, and Bulgaria and Romania, since 1 January 2025. Anything telling you they are outside Schengen is out of date.
How it changes your count
Say you spend 60 days in Portugal, 20 in Switzerland and 15 in Ireland within the same 180 days. Counting every European day gives 95, which looks like an overstay; leaving out Switzerland because it is not in the EU gives 60, which is too low. The real Schengen count is 80: Portugal and Switzerland count, Ireland does not. You are within the limit, with 10 days to spare.
Common questions
Does Switzerland count even though it is not in the EU?
Yes. Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area, like Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, so every day there comes out of the same 90 days as your time in the EU countries of Schengen.
Is Cyprus in Schengen?
Not yet. Cyprus is in the EU and takes part in Schengen cooperation, but checks at its borders with the rest of the area have not been lifted. It still applies its own short-stay rules, and days there do not count towards your Schengen 90.
Do days in Ireland count towards my 90?
No. Ireland is outside Schengen, so time there does not use your Schengen days. It has its own limit instead: the immigration officer decides on arrival how long you may stay, up to 90 days.
Does a Schengen visa let me into Ireland or Cyprus?
Not automatically. Both set their own visa rules, and a Schengen visa does not on its own give you entry to Ireland. Check each country’s official list for your nationality before you travel.
Check it at the source
These are the official pages this guide is based on.