Schengen Rules for Non-Residents
Super helpful member
SCHENGEN RULES FOR NON RESIDENTS.
I've seen lots of confusion surrounding Schengen rules of stay which will apply to part-timers or ‘Swallows’ (non residents) after the transition period has ended. A friend posted one of the best explanations I have ever seen so I am sharing it.
A Schengen calculator will also help you work it out and plan your trips. There are various ones on the web but this one lets you plan cumulative trips:
https://www.visa-calculator.com/
After 1st January you can stay in the Schengen zone for a maximum of 90 days total in any 180 day period.
Please also note that if you decide to obtain a residency/TIE card instead, the definition of 'residency' is that you must actually reside in Spain for a minimum of 6 months [so at least 183 days] each year in order that you do not break 'continuity of residence' laws.
THE 180 DAYS ROLLS ...
So imagine that you spend 18 days in Spain followed by 18 days in the UK, then 18 days in Spain, and so on.
1-18 Jan:Spain
19Jan-6Feb:UK
7-25Feb:Spain
25Feb-15March:UK
16March-3April:Spain
etc.
After 5 cycles of this you'll have spent 90 days in Spain and 90 days in the UK in the past 180 days.
But let's say you then spend 18 more days in the UK, well then the first 18 days that you spent in Spain now don't count, because they're more than 180 days ago - so you can immediately spend another 18 days in Spain.
Chris