Multiple 2 month / 60? Day stays in eu - how do I calculate to maximise time number of trips a year? (1 Viewer)

Jan 13, 2008
107
34
Cardiff
Funster No
1,200
MH
Concorde Charisma
Exp
Since 2008
Multiple 2 month / 60? Day stays in eu - how do I calculate to maximise time number of trips a year?

We don’t normally go away for more than 8 weeks as we have family at home (elderly parents) and this is the longest we are comfortable we can leave them (we have other family members able to do there bit).

However we like to go a few times a year.

I’m trying to work out the 90/180 rule as it applies in this case. If we go for example April 1st for 60 days then return to UK how long must we stay in uk before we can do another 60 day trip? Is it until 150 days after entering the eu the first time?

Nothing like some nice trip planning on the wet dark days to brighten you up.

Thanks in advance for any help navigating through this 90/180 rule.
 

Minxy

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 22, 2007
32,646
66,530
E Yorks
Funster No
149
MH
Carthago Compactline
Exp
Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
One month still in hand (30 days) so if you went out on 29th August using the 30 days you still have you could then do 2 months as your next 30 days would commence on 28th September making 60 days ... I think!

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Last edited:
Sep 17, 2020
942
3,140
Totton
Funster No
75,977
MH
Bailey Autograph 745
Exp
Since Sept 2020.
Hi,

This confuses me, too, but for the time being it's not an issue as we can only do three weeks about three time a year.

Keep in in mind the 90/180 days is 'rolling', so simplistically if you go for 60 days, then stay ay home for 60 days, your 90 days has reset by the time you leave again, and indeed any combination of same time at home as you are away will keep you legal. Also worth noting that you can do 2 x 60 days in any one 180 day period, but you'll have to stay at home for another 60 before you can go away for 60 again.

I think working backwards from your return-to-UK date is the safest way. Count back 180 days from that date. Then count how many of those days you were away. If it's less than 90 you're OK.

This link is to a spreadsheet that will calculate it for you. I've downloaded it without issue.

 
Feb 18, 2017
4,130
8,004
Greenwich, London, UK
Funster No
47,382
MH
Hymer MLT 570
Exp
1986
Multiple 2 month / 60? Day stays in eu - how do I calculate to maximise time number of trips a year?

We don’t normally go away for more than 8 weeks as we have family at home (elderly parents) and this is the longest we are comfortable we can leave them (we have other family members able to do there bit).

However we like to go a few times a year.

I’m trying to work out the 90/180 rule as it applies in this case. If we go for example April 1st for 60 days then return to UK how long must we stay in uk before we can do another 60 day trip? Is it until 150 days after entering the eu the first time?

Nothing like some nice trip planning on the wet dark days to brighten you up.

Thanks in advance for any help navigating through this 90/180 rule.

As a rule of thumb, for every day in, you need to do a day out.
 
Jul 5, 2013
11,723
13,702
Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, UK
Funster No
26,797
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2013
Hi,

This confuses me, too, but for the time being it's not an issue as we can only do three weeks about three time a year.

Keep in in mind the 90/180 days is 'rolling', so simplistically if you go for 60 days, then stay ay home for 60 days, your 90 days has reset by the time you leave again, and indeed any combination of same time at home as you are away will keep you legal. Also worth noting that you can do 2 x 60 days in any one 180 day period, but you'll have to stay at home for another 60 before you can go away for 60 again.
Not sure that is correct.

If you went back after 60 days for another 60 days that would mean you would be doing 120 days (60+60) in 180 days (60+60+60). You would be Ok if you only went back for 30 days, but if you want to go back for another 60 days, you would have to leave 90 days after you returned from your first trip.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Minxy

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 22, 2007
32,646
66,530
E Yorks
Funster No
149
MH
Carthago Compactline
Exp
Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
Hi,

This confuses me, too, but for the time being it's not an issue as we can only do three weeks about three time a year.

Keep in in mind the 90/180 days is 'rolling', so simplistically if you go for 60 days, then stay ay home for 60 days, your 90 days has reset by the time you leave again, and indeed any combination of same time at home as you are away will keep you legal. Also worth noting that you can do 2 x 60 days in any one 180 day period, but you'll have to stay at home for another 60 before you can go away for 60 again.

I think working backwards from your return-to-UK date is the safest way. Count back 180 days from that date. Then count how many of those days you were away. If it's less than 90 you're OK.

This link is to a spreadsheet that will calculate it for you. I've downloaded it without issue.

Not correct ... you could only do a 60 and 30 within an 180 day period as I explained earlier, the unused 30 days couldn't commence until the 150th day if you wanted to stay away for 60 consecutive days, the first 30 days would be those left within the original period and the next 30 would be those released as your first 60 days start to drop off the radar.
 
Aug 1, 2021
970
5,646
Pembrokeshire, UK
Funster No
83,135
MH
Auto-T Expedition 66
The easiest way that I have found to use as a ready reckoner, for multiple trips up to 90 days, is that if you always take similar duration trips, then providing you then stay in the UK for the same duration between each trip then you will always be within the 90/180 rule ad infinitum. Works just as well for 90 days EU / 90 days UK as for one week EU / one week UK on permenant repeat. So to answer your specific question, along as you stay in the UK for 8 weeks each time, after having had 8 weeks in Schengen you should be fine to go again for another 8 weeks.
 
Jul 5, 2013
11,723
13,702
Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, UK
Funster No
26,797
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2013
So to answer your specific question, along as you stay in the UK for 8 weeks each time, after having had 8 weeks in Schengen you should be fine to go again for another 8 weeks.
Nope that won't work. See post #6. Same problem in that you need to be able to start knocking off enough of the earlier days before you stay for 16 weeks (112 days)

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Jun 10, 2010
8,507
20,218
Shrewsbury (sometimes)
Funster No
12,013
MH
N&B Clou Liner MAN
Exp
2006
Do 60 days France Spain etc, then take 15 days to go to Croatia etc for another 60 and you ve still got 15 in the bank to get you home.
 
Aug 1, 2021
970
5,646
Pembrokeshire, UK
Funster No
83,135
MH
Auto-T Expedition 66
Nope that won't work. See post #6. Same problem in that you need to be able to start knocking off enough of the earlier days before you stay for 16 weeks (112 days)
Really? That's a shame. I thought I'd got my head around this.

Ok - think I've now got it.

Just indulge me though with the following example. (For simplicity I'm assuming all months are 30 days long - I realise they aren't on reality).

Spend Jan in EU
Spend Feb in UK
Spend March in EU
Spend April in UK
Spend May in EU
Spend June in UK
Spend July in EU
etc. etc.
At what point have I busted the 90/180 rule?
I don't think I have.
On July the 1st I will be spending my 91st day in the EU, but the 1st Jan will have dropped of the beginning, and so on......

Same difference if you alternate single days or weeks.

However, the point at which it no longer works is if you equally alternate more than 45 days EU, 45 days UK, (roughly alternate 6 weeks).

Are my calculations any better now? My head is starting to hurt! 😀

Ps - I'm using EU as shorthand for Schengen.
 
Jul 5, 2013
11,723
13,702
Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, UK
Funster No
26,797
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2013
Really? That's a shame. I thought I'd got my head around this.

Ok - think I've now got it.

Just indulge me though with the following example. (For simplicity I'm assuming all months are 30 days long - I realise they aren't on reality).

Spend Jan in EU
Spend Feb in UK
Spend March in EU
Spend April in UK
Spend May in EU
Spend June in UK
Spend July in EU
etc. etc.
At what point have I busted the 90/180 rule?
I don't think I have.
On July the 1st I will be spending my 91st day in the EU, but the 1st Jan will have dropped of the beginning, and so on......

Same difference if you alternate single days or weeks.

However, the point at which it no longer works is if you equally alternate more than 45 days EU, 45 days UK, (roughly alternate 6 weeks).

Are my calculations any better now? My head is starting to hurt! 😀

Ps - I'm using EU as shorthand for Schengen.
Nearly there. If you are in the EU for the whole of January, March and May that is 93 days. So you would need to come back to the UK by 27 May. Or start in February in the EU and then do alternative months, which would give you 88 days :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Aug 1, 2021
970
5,646
Pembrokeshire, UK
Funster No
83,135
MH
Auto-T Expedition 66
Nearly there. If you are in the EU for the whole of January, March and May that is 93 days. So you would need to come back to the UK by 27 May. Or start in February in the EU and then do alternative months, which would give you 88 days :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:
Ok. That's good. As I said, I was using 30 day months for simplicity.
Will alternate 45 day visits also work? ( I appreciate alternate 60 day periods don't).
 
Sep 10, 2012
2,132
3,708
worcester
Funster No
22,842
MH
Sunliving van
Exp
2012
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June =180
Hol Jan Feb = 60 days used - 30 left before end Jun

Hol Jun 30 days = 90 (3x30) of 90 days used in180 day period

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec = 180 days starting 1 July
Hol July 30 days plus any 60 days before end of Dec.

Rough example but start the 180 days from first day you leave UK
 
Feb 18, 2018
3,426
11,375
South Ayrshire
Funster No
52,460
MH
Globecar Campscout
Exp
Since 2018
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June =180
Hol Jan Feb = 60 days used - 30 left before end Jun

Hol Jun 30 days = 90 (3x30) of 90 days used in180 day period

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec = 180 days starting 1 July
Hol July 30 days plus any 60 days before end of Dec.

Rough example but start the 180 days from first day you leave UK
Thanks this i understand. So it is a fixed 180 day period, starting at day of entry, rather than a rolling 180 days, as I l had assumed.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

bigtwin

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 29, 2009
5,240
9,941
Derby
Funster No
9,111
MH
Concorde
Exp
Since 2006
Rough example but start the 180 days from first day you leave UK

When would you say the first day you leave the UK is? This year? Last Year? Next month?

When you say “start the 180 days” do you mean for counting forwards? Or counting backwards?

The only way to know if you can be in the zone tomorrow is to count BACK 180 days and add up the days already spent in the zone. If this is <90, you may enter the zone tomorrow.

The only way (without using the on-line calculator) to know if you can complete a forthcoming trip is to count back 180 days from the planned last day of your forthcoming trip and add up any days already spent in the zone with those that you forecast to be in the zone.

Ian.
 
Last edited:

bigtwin

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 29, 2009
5,240
9,941
Derby
Funster No
9,111
MH
Concorde
Exp
Since 2006
Thanks this i understand. So it is a fixed 180 day period, starting at day of entry, rather than a rolling 180 days, as I l had assumed.

No, your original understanding is correct. See my post above.

Ian
 
Aug 18, 2018
199
407
Funster No
55,702

Use this calculator to plan your trips - just put the day you intend to enter any Schengen Zone country and the day you will exit and it shows a running total and the last day you can exit by. I have included a theoretical example below.




1640886332029.png

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Last edited:

Minxy

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 22, 2007
32,646
66,530
E Yorks
Funster No
149
MH
Carthago Compactline
Exp
Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
Ok. That's good. As I said, I was using 30 day months for simplicity.
Will alternate 45 day visits also work? ( I appreciate alternate 60 day periods don't).
Yup but don't forget to include the days at each end, even if only in the EU for 5 minutes it counts as a full day, don't just count the actual nights as you'll come a cropper! :LOL:
 
Sep 17, 2020
942
3,140
Totton
Funster No
75,977
MH
Bailey Autograph 745
Exp
Since Sept 2020.
Not sure that is correct.

If you went back after 60 days for another 60 days that would mean you would be doing 120 days (60+60) in 180 days (60+60+60). You would be Ok if you only went back for 30 days, but if you want to go back for another 60 days, you would have to leave 90 days after you returned from your first trip.

Not correct ... you could only do a 60 and 30 within an 180 day period as I explained earlier, the unused 30 days couldn't commence until the 150th day if you wanted to stay away for 60 consecutive days, the first 30 days would be those left within the original period and the next 30 would be those released as your first 60 days start to drop off the radar.

Bugger ... and thank you for the clarifications, that's pretty bloody obvious now you've written it out. 🤦‍♂️

As I said it confuses me too.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
Tandy
Jan 13, 2008
107
34
Cardiff
Funster No
1,200
MH
Concorde Charisma
Exp
Since 2008
Thank you everyone I like the idea of putting the proposed dates into the calculator and seeing if the computer says yes
 
Oct 25, 2021
43
90
Stisted, Essex
Funster No
85,070
MH
Cipro 85
Exp
Since 2005
The Link below is a mine of information Post Brexit, we were looking to move out to Spain but the taxation and rules have now put paid to that unless we cut all income ties in the UK (houses etc). There is on this page a calculator and a great legal explanation's. Hope it help's some.

 

EML

Sep 18, 2018
165
207
Norwich
Funster No
56,275
MH
Transit PVC
Exp
15 years
Wow - what a lot of answers to such a simple question! The Schengen calculator linked above gives the right answer in this case (which Tandy already knew in post #1, so the answer was 'yes').

Forget the calculators, though, and the ready reckoners. Get a big calendar. Colour in all the days you intend to be in the EU. Now stand back, and try to find any 180-day period, past or present, where the number of filled-in dates comes to more than 90. If you can find more than 90, you're in trouble, so get the eraser out. Job done.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
  • Like
Reactions: DBK

Chris CM

Free Member
Jan 28, 2019
200
183
S.E.Cornwall
Funster No
58,264
MH
Devon Aztec XL PVC
Exp
Since 2015
Don’t forget to allow some “buffer” days, what happens if you have a breakdown or perhaps fail your pre ferry LFT and you have to wait several days before you can try again, it’s a b****y nightmare!
 
  • Like
Reactions: DBK
Jan 24, 2014
601
1,167
Cornwall
Funster No
29,823
MH
Sold 😟
Exp
1990-2023
We normally did 8 week trips. Going end April and again end Aug but with a bit of playing with dates on calculator I can do this instead

4DC3BDF9-79A8-43E6-9B8C-28B6EF945896.png
 
Jan 23, 2019
55
54
Funster No
58,182
MH
Autosleeper Kingham
Exp
2014
Just use the Schengen calculator as people have suggested simple

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top