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EU refused entry to 22,455 travelers for exceeding 90‑day Schengen limit in 2025
EU border guards denied entry to 22,455 people in 2025 because they had already spent the full 90 days allowed in a rolling 180‑day period. The data, covering the whole EU, shows the 90‑day limit became the second most common reason for refusal, affecting roughly one in six rejected travelers.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Entry refusals rose for travelers who exhausted the 90‑day allowance
- Timing
- Data refer to refusals recorded throughout 2025
- Who is affected
- Travelers without a residence permit or long‑stay visa who exceed 90 days
The details
- Previous rule
- The Schengen Borders Code permits stays of up to 90 days in any rolling 180‑day period for visitors without a residence permit or long‑stay visa.
- New rule
- The rule remains unchanged; border guards now refuse entry when the 90‑day quota is already used, as recorded by the Entry/Exit System.
Background and data
Eurostat data analysed by SchengenVisaInfo shows that 22,455 people were turned away at EU external borders in 2025 because they had already used their 90‑day allowance. This accounted for 16.9% of all 132,600 refusals recorded that year, roughly one in six.
The share of refusals for this reason rose from sixth place in 2018 to second in 2025. Ukrainians made up 12,190 of the 22,455 cases, more than half of the total.
- Total refusals in 2025: 132,600
- Refusals for exceeding 90‑day limit: 22,455 (16.9%)
- Ukrainian nationals: 12,190 refusals
90‑day rule enforcement
Travelers who do not hold a residence permit or a long‑stay visa may stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180‑day period. Both the arrival and departure days count as days of stay, and the limit applies across all Schengen Member States.
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) automatically records each entry and exit, allowing border guards to see instantly whether a traveler has any days left. When the system shows zero days remaining, entry can be denied even if the passport and visa are valid.
- Arrival and departure days both count
- The 90‑day count is shared across all Schengen countries
- EES provides real‑time calculation of remaining days
Implications of the Entry/Exit System
The EES, fully deployed on 10 April 2026, has already identified almost 7,000 overstayers in its first annual report. While the 2025 Eurostat figures predate the full roll‑out, they illustrate how the digital system will increase visibility of the 90‑day limit.
Travelers close to the limit are advised to keep documentation such as boarding passes or tickets, especially for trips that occurred before the EES recorded them, to prove their stay history if questioned.
- First annual EES data expected in 2027
- Around 7,000 overstayers denied entry in early 2026
- Carry evidence of previous entries when near the limit
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Travelers with a planned visit in 2026 should verify that their total days in the previous 180 days do not exceed 90 before booking.
- If a trip would push the total over the limit, the journey may need to be postponed until earlier days drop out of the rolling window.
Cost and documents
- No new fees are introduced by this statistic; existing visa fees remain unchanged.
- Travelers may need to carry boarding passes or other proof of earlier stays to demonstrate compliance with the 90‑day rule.
What you need to do
- Check the Schengen short‑stay calculator before each trip to confirm remaining days.
- If the EES shows zero days left, adjust travel dates or exit the Schengen Area until days become available.
- Keep records of all entries and exits, especially for trips taken before the EES was fully operational.
Who this affects
-
Visitors without residence permit or long‑stay visa
They are subject to the 90‑day limit in any rolling 180‑day period.
What to do Must ensure total stay does not exceed 90 days before each new entry.
-
Travelers from Eastern and South‑Eastern neighboring countries
These nationals often travel multiple times a year and are most represented among the refusals.
What to do Should monitor cumulative days across all Schengen trips closely.
-
Ukrainian nationals
Ukrainians accounted for more than half of the 90‑day‑limit refusals in 2025.
What to do Need to track days precisely and may require additional documentation at borders.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were refused entry to the EU in 2025 for exceeding the 90‑day limit?
Eurostat data shows 22,455 travelers were denied entry in 2025 because they had already used their full 90‑day allowance within a rolling 180‑day period.
What percentage of all EU entry refusals in 2025 were due to the 90‑day rule?
The 90‑day limit accounted for 16.9% of the 132,600 total refusals recorded in 2025, making it the second most common reason.
Do arrival and departure days count towards the 90‑day limit?
Yes, both the day you arrive in the Schengen Area and the day you leave are counted as days of stay under the 90‑day rule.
Has the Entry/Exit System changed how border guards enforce the 90‑day limit?
The EES automatically records each entry and exit, allowing guards to see instantly if a traveler has any days left, leading to more immediate refusals when the limit is reached.
What should travelers do if they are close to the 90‑day limit?
They should use a Schengen short‑stay calculator, keep proof of previous trips, and consider postponing travel until earlier days fall out of the 180‑day window.
