The visa-free regime allows Ukrainians with a biometric foreign passport to travel to Schengen countries without a visa for short stays. But there are limits.

The 90/180 rule

You may stay in the Schengen area for no more than 90 days in any period of 180 days. This is not a calendar half-year but a “sliding” window: count back 180 days from each day of the trip.

How to calculate

  1. Choose the date you are checking.
  2. Go back 180 days.
  3. Add up all the days spent in Schengen in this period.
  4. The total must not exceed 90.

The day of entry and the day of exit both count as days of stay.

Typical mistakes

  • Counting a calendar half-year instead of a sliding window.
  • Not accounting for trips to different countries in the zone: the days add up.
  • Forgetting that several short trips also accumulate.

What national laws say

The Schengen area does not include all EU countries and does include some non-EU countries. Entry rules, required documents and insurance may differ.

Tip

Keep a record of dates of entry and exit. There are official calculators on the European Commission website. Before travelling, check the current conditions, especially if you plan to spend a long time in the EU.