How to Stay in Europe Longer Than 90 Days — Including the Schengen Countries: The Ultimate Guide (2025)

This is one of the most common questions that I get from readers, especially because I have been able to stay in the Schengen Area for more than the usual90-day limitdespite being a non-EU (non-European Union) national with athird world country passport.

I understand that a lot of people want to have the right to stay for more than 90 days or 3 months, especially since going on a complete Eurotrip can’t be done in such a short span of time. So, with this post on how to stay in Europe longer, I will be giving you different ideas and options on how you can legally extend your European vacation!

NOTE:Europe is a large continent with a number of countries and one of the biggest zones that they have is the Schengen area. For the purpose of this article, I will be focussing on this region to help you make the most of your stay.

Schengen Area

To date, theSchengen Areais a group of 29 countries and it comprises most ofEurope. As part of a unified agreement, all of them have agreed to abolish passports and internal border controls.

This means that all the Schengen countries act as if they are only ‘one country’ — so every citizen of each member state is free to go anywhere they want. Meanwhile, outsiders who want to enter the Schengen Area would experience border controlonceat the first country that they enter, but after that, entering other member countries would no longer require further immigration control.

These 29 countries are:

[1]Excluding Greenland and theFaroe Islands
[2]Excluding overseas departments and territories
[3]Excluding Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the Caribbean Netherlands
[4]Excluding Svalbard
[5]With special provisions for Ceuta and Melilla

From the above list, 4 of these are non-EU(or EFTA member states that may have border control)—Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland —whereas 22 are part of the EU.

However, to date, there are a total of 28 members of the EU;so what happened to the other 4?Well,Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania— are just NOT part of the Schengen Area.

TRIVIA:There are 3 additional European microstates —Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican— that can be considered asde factowithin the Schengen Countries given how they don’t have border controls with the countries that surround them. However, it’s important to note that they are not official Schengen member states since they have not signed documents for it. (But of course, it’s fine to visit with a Schengen visa).

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Schengen Visa

The Schengen Visaserves as the basic short-term visa that you will need to be able to stay in all of the 29 countries.However, non-Schengen citizens are allowed to enter the area without this said visa(their passport will only get stamped upon arrival and departure)as long as they are residents of:

[*]Visa waiver applies only to holders of biometric passports
[1]The passport must include an identity number
NOTE:This list is as of 2020. Ireland, UK, and their territories are allowed limitless entry to the Schengen Area.

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If you areNOTa resident of any of the countries above(which mostly comprises citizens of Africa and Asia)you would need to apply at an embassy to obtain a tourist/short-term Schengen Visa.

Alternatively, check out my comprehensivevisa guidesper country.

NOTE:It helps to mention that there arenon-Schengen membersin Europe that allow entry to their country if you have a Schengen Visa, namely:Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, North Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia, Turkey, and the Vatican City.

HOWEVER, you must check these details beforehand since their rules might have changed. Plus, customarily, only multiple-entry Schengen visas are allowed. For starters, you can checkthis listfor a list ofcountries you can visit with a Schengen visa.

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The 90-Day Limit

Once you are allowed to enter the Schengen Area —with just your passport or with a short-term visa—you are ONLY permitted to stay for 3 months (90 days) in ANY 6-month period (180 days).The 90-day span doesn’t need to be consecutive; it’s treated as cumulative(especially if you have a multiple-entry visa), but the fact remains that after you have stayed in Schengen for a total of 90 days, you have toleave. You areNOTallowed to come back again until the 181st day from the first time you stepped in.

IMPORTANT UPDATE (March 2015): As of 18 October 2013, the Schengen member states changed the calculation of the 180-day period. To know more about this and avoid fines, deportations, and bans in Schengen, please checkthis article.

If you don’t leave by the time you hit 90 days, you are subject to a fine or deportation — worst-case scenario, you will be banned from the Schengen Area for a period of time(1-3 years)or indefinitely. It is sometimes considered ‘okay‘ if you stay for a couple more days and even up to a week, but I advise that you don’t try and push your luck, especially if you’re on a visa. And if you stay longer than a week, you should know that you’re going to be in big trouble.

Nevertheless, it’s said by most travelers(who are free to enter Schengen countries with just a passport)that southern countries like Greece, France, Spain, and Italy are not so strict on checks. While western countries like Belgium, Germany,the Netherlands, and EFTA states(Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland)are very firm with entry and exits(primarily at the airports or train stations, more so if you’re going to an isolated island).

Still and the same, as I’ve mentioned, you shouldn’t‘push it‘. Follow the rules, and if you really want to know how to stay in Europe longer than the 90-day limit, below are the different ways you can stay longer,legally!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

DISCLAIMER: I amNOTan embassy officer nor a migration agent. I am only here to provide you with ideas on how you can stay in Schengen countries longer. If you ever need any help with visas or procedures, please check thesevisa guidesor the related links I have provided in this article (as well as contact the appropriate departments). It also helps to note that I do not guarantee the timeliness of the information below, so please make it your responsibility to recheck the facts since there could be more recent updates/changes. Thank you!

»Get a European Student Visa

Naturally, this is one of the legal ways to stay longer in the Schengen zone. Student visas in all Schengen countries are not hard to obtain as long as you are accepted, enrolled, or invited by a university or school — which, of course, you should apply for before entering a Schengen country. Of course, you would have to pay for these courses, but you can alwayswork part-timewhile studying since most student visa-holders are allowed to do so. Otherwise, you could try to get ascholarship, apply to anexchange program(if you’re still studying),or simply enroll inFREE universities.

Yes, you read that right…FREE!

There are actually several countries in Europe that have chosen to eradicate tuition fees for both local and international would-be students, and they are listed below(along with other countries that have the cheapest tuition). So if you’re looking for ways on how to stay in Europe longer, below are your top options!

Finland

Lowest yearly tuition fee possible:FREE(for EU/EEA), €4,000–€18,000 for non-EU students
Since 2017, Finland has charged tuition fees to non-EU/EEA students. However, PhD programs remain free regardless of nationality. Many universities also offer generous scholarships.
Proof of ‘means of support’ per month: €560+ (~$630 / ₱32,000+)
For more information:See ‘Studying in Finland‘
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Norway

Lowest yearly tuition fee possible:FREEand €9,000–€15,000 per year (non-EU)
As of 2023, Norway introduced tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students. PhDs are still FREE, but bachelor’s and master’s programs now have fees. Cost of living is still high.
Proof of ‘means of support’ per month: NOK 13,000 (~$1,200 / ₱65,000+)
For more information: See ‘Studying in Norway‘
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Austria

Lowest yearly tuition fee possible: €726 ($780 / ₱44,000) per semester for non-EU students. Some developing-country students may get exemptions or pay only €363 ($390).
Proof of ‘means of support’ per month: €1,110 (~$1,200 / ₱66,000)
For more information: See ‘Studying in Austria‘
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Germany

Lowest yearly tuition fee possible:FREE(for most undergraduate programs at public universities).
Some federal states (like Baden-Württemberg) reintroduced fees (~€1,500 per semester) for non-EU students. Master’s degrees may have fees unless consecutive to a German bachelor’s. Just make sure to check that the course you’re applying for is in English; however, if you’re fluent in German, that’s better.
Proof of ‘means of support’ per month: €934 (~$1,000 / ₱55,000), usually shown via a blocked account.
For more information: See ‘DAAD‘, ‘List of Free German Universities‘ and ‘Studying in Germany‘
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Hungary

Lowest yearly tuition fee possible: €1,000–€3,000 (~$1,100+ / ₱66,000+)
The good thing about Hungary is that, unlike the Scandinavian countries, it is one of the European countries that has a more affordable cost of living, thus, proving your ‘solvency’ would be easier than in the others.
Proof of ‘means of support’ per month:€600 (~$650 / ₱37,000)
For more information:See ‘Studying in Hungary‘
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France

Lowest yearly tuition fee possible:€2,770 ($3,000 / ₱170,000) for bachelor’s, €3,770 ($4,000 / ₱220,000) for master’s. (Much cheaper compared to Anglophone countries.)
You’re lucky if you can find a cheap university in Paris because the cheapest ones are actually found outside of the capital(Lyon is one example).
Proof of ‘means of support’ per month: €615 (~$660 / ₱37,000)
For more information: See ‘Studying in France‘
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Belgium

Lowest yearly tuition fee possible: €1,000+ (~$1,100 / ₱66,000). Tuition varies by university and program.
I have tried this option before through the University of Antwerp for one of their 1-year Master Programs, and the process of obtaining a student visa was fairly easy given how I was backed up by the university that had accepted my application. The tuition was worth $2,000+(Php 88,500+)which is almost double the lowest yearly tuition possible; so if you want to get the cheapest, try the University of Leuven, Hasselt University, or the University of Ghent(I didn’t manage to apply for these three since I was late for their deadlines, that’s why I resorted to saving up $2K to pursue the University of Antwerp).
Proof of ‘means of support’ per month: €789 (~$850 / ₱48,000)
For more information: See ‘Studying in Belgium‘
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Italy

Lowest yearly tuition fee possible: €1,000–€2,500 (~$1,100–$2,700 / ₱66,000–₱150,000)
Italy also offers regional scholarships that can cover tuition and living costs, especially in universities like Bologna, Sapienza (Rome), and Florence.
Proof of ‘means of support’ per month: €467 (~$500 / ₱30,000)
For more information: See ‘Studying in Italy‘
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Spain

Lowest yearly tuition fee possible: €750–€2,500 (~$800–$2,700 / ₱45,000–₱150,000). Fees vary by region—Catalonia and Madrid often cost more, while Andalusia is cheaper.
Affordable compared to many Western European countries, diverse culture, warm climate, and Spanish language programs.
Proof of ‘means of support’ per month: €600 (~$650 / ₱37,000)
For more information: See ‘Studying in Spain‘
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» READ:How to Save Money for Travel

Should undergraduate or master programs remain to be too costly for you, if not the scholarships or shorter courses, consider thelanguage programssince these studies are often cheaper!(Italyis one example of this, as well asSpain).

TIP: For ‘means of support’, it’s always best to add more to the minimum requirement. It also helps to add a sponsor(even if it’s just on paper)even if you already can support yourself — this is what I’ve done when I applied for a university in Belgium, after all, it’s always best to ‘overdeliver’.

Moreover, if you’re from the Philippines or Asia like me, before you can study overseas for a business or graduate school, check if you need to have aGMATorGREcertification since most Asian universities are not ‘recognized’ abroad.(GRE is said to be the easiest, which I have done. Others reviewed for months on this, but I only reviewed for a day since I was in a rush; and yet I was fine! But surely, I don’t advise that you do the same).

Also, if your studies were not conducted in English, a majority of the European schools would need aTOEFLorIELTSfrom you.

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»Find Work or Stay as a Freelancer

There are different ways to do ‘work’, some are conventional but some are unique. Check out the list below to see what best fits you in order to know how to stay in Europe longer!

Apply for Normal Work

This is where you go through the usual process of finding a company(in the form of a transfer, internship, part-time, or full-time work)and then apply for a work visa.
» For more information: SeeEuroJobsorEuropa
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Teach English Abroad

This is not the same as those‘jobs on the road’where you hold private English classes for people who don’t have it as a first language. Why? Because doing so is a risk. A short-term tourist Schengen Visa isNOTa work permit. Sure, working can still be done in secret(with Spain & Italy as the most tolerant)but if you somehow attract the attention of authorities, it can get nasty. So if you really want to teach legally, secure a work visa or working holiday visa first(that will make you stay longer too)by searching for opportunities in recognized schools or institutions. Teaching English while under a student visa is possible as well. Countries that are typically open to English-teaching jobs are the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Germany, Spain, and Italy. For these jobs, aTEFL certificateis a usual requirement.
» For more information: SeeTEFLorESLCafe
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Join a Language Assistant Program

Often run by governments, it gives non-EU citizens a chance to stay in the Schengen countries or area longer in exchange for offering aid in teaching the English language — they even pay you for the service you’re doing. There are only a few European countries that offer this kind of program and below are their basic requirements:

• France:must come from one of their 60 partner countries, age 20-30, have a basic level of French, completed at least 2 years of university (https://www.ciep.fr/en)
• Italy:must be a resident of the USA, have Italian proficiency, a university graduate or undergraduate, 3.25 GPA (https://www.indire.it/en/progetto/language-assistants/)
• Spain:must be a resident of USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, China, or EU, have a basic level of Spanish, a university graduate, or in their last year of university (https://www.educacionyfp.gob.es/)
• Switzerland:must be a resident of USA, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Austria, France, Italy, or Spain, age 21-30, have sound language knowledge of the region (can be German/French/Italian), a university student or graduate (source)
• For openings in other countries, checkhere.
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Be an Au Pair

Usually done for at least 6 months or more, working as an au pair is like being a domestic assistant as you live with a host family that provides free accommodation and food. Other than providing childcare, you are also typically asked to do light housework as you receive a salary for it.
» For more information:SeeIAPA,Great Au Pair, orEuropa Au Pair
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Do a Working Holiday

If you’re young and want to extend your stay in Europe, one option is to apply for a Working Holiday Visa (WHV). These visas allow you to live in a country for 6–12 months (sometimes up to 24 months), with the ability to work part-time to support your travels.

However, keep in mind that:

• There is no EU- or Schengen-wide working holiday program. You must apply country by country.
• A WHV only lets you work and live in the country that issued it. You can still travel around the Schengen Zone as a tourist, but legally, your right to work is limited to your host country.
• Most WHV programs are open to applicants aged 18–30 (some extend to 35 for Canadians, Argentinians, or under special agreements).

Below are the countries that have WHV agreements:

• Austria
  • Offers WHV to citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Korea.
  • Duration: Up to 12 months.
  • Quota: 100 visas per year per country.
  • Requirement: Must apply within 12 months of graduation (for some nationalities).
• Czech Republic
  • Agreements with New Zealand, Canada, and Chile.
  • Duration: Up to 12 months.
• France
  • WHV available for citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, Argentina, and more.
  • Duration: 12 months (can be extended to 36 months for Canadians under a youth mobility program).
• Germany
  • Offers WHV to citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Hong Kong.
  • Duration: 12 months.
• Hungary
  • WHV agreements with Australia, New Zealand, and Chile.
• Netherlands
  • WHV available to Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders, South Koreans, Argentinians, and Hongkongers.
  • Duration: 1 year.
• Poland
  • Agreements with Australia, New Zealand, and Chile.
• Portugal
  • WHV available for Americans, Canadians and Australians.
  • Duration: 12 months.
• Spain
  • WHV open to Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders, and South Koreans.

» For more information:SeeWork Holiday Visasfor how to stay in Europe longer
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Apply for a Freelancer/Digital Nomad/Self-Employment Visa

The rise of remote work has transformed the way people live and travel — and governments have noticed. To attract talent, boost local economies, and revitalize tourism in the wake of the pandemic, many European countries have introduced specialDigital Nomad, Freelancer, or Self-Employment Visas.

These visas are designed for non-EU/EEA nationals who work remotely for clients or employers abroad. In most cases, you’ll need to prove a steady income, hold valid health insurance, and sometimes meet extra requirements like local accommodation or clean police records. They typically grant stays from 6 months to 2 years, with options to renew, and some even count toward permanent residency.

To date, below are the Schengen countries that implement a digital nomad visa for foreigners:

• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czechia
• Estonia
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Malta
• Norway
• Portugal
• Romania
• Spain

To see a complete list of countries that offer visas for remote workers along with the releveant details, read below:

UPDATES:Countries That Offer a Digital Nomad Visa

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Be a Volunteer

Much like English-teaching jobs, there are volunteer jobs as well that are‘under-the-table’—butapart from being risky, it’s not a legal way for how to stay in Europe longer. Examples are fruit-picking jobs, hostel work, etc.(this is why most of the time their websites advise that you don’t mention to immigration officers that you are going to work on a farm, for example).Therefore, to be able to remain or to be able tobecome a volunteerfor a longer period of time, you would have to either get a work visa/permit or sign up for accredited volunteer programs that could whip out a work visa for you. These often come with a fee, but some can be very affordable.
» For more information:SeeEuropaorVoluntary Servicefor how to stay in Europe longer
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Do a Cultural Homestay

This is not like the informal homestay set-ups that I have discussed in this article: [click]. Instead, this is a more formal arrangement between a non-profit organization and a foreign country wherein they partner with wannabe travelers like you and send you to a host family elsewhere. For instance, the organizationCultural Homestay Internationalhas a ‘World Explorers’ program wherein in exchange for your 3-months worth of accommodation abroad, all you have to do is share your native language with your hosts for 15 hours per week.(These casual English conversation lessons usually run 5 days a week, 3 hours a day).If you want to travel for a year, it’s possible for them to combine multiple programs in different destinations to make it all sum up to 12 months!
» For more information:See(CHI) World Explorers Programfor how to stay in Europe longer

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»Do a Union or Reunion in Europe