Length of Stay for US Citizens Visiting Europe

Living abroad for a period of time may be a life-long dream for some retirees. Knowing some important parameters regarding time away and length of stay can provide peace of mind during your travels. For in-depth information, consult the US Department of State’s website Travel.State.Gov.

Absence from the US

Regarding length of absence from the US, there is no time limit if you are a US citizen (native or naturalized). For permanent residents or conditional permanent residents, check with the state department, but the length of absence is usually 6 months.  

Length of stay in European countries for US Citizens

All countries have rules for length of stay and the rules vary for citizens from different countries (e.g. US citizens versus South Korean citizens). It is essential to learn the rules for the country you are visiting to avoid deportation. The rules vary across European countries. A number of countries are members of the Schengen area (an area made of 26 European countries that have essentially abolished border control) and allow US citizens to visit 90 of the last 180 days for tourism. Following are all of the countries in Europe, both Schengen and non-Schengen, with visitation lengths for US citizens. Consult the Travel.State.Gov website for specific rules for your travels. 

Rules for the Schengen area

If you spend three months in the Schengen area during any six-month period, you must wait another three months from the last date of departure from the Schengen area before you can apply to enter the Schengen area again without a visa. If you plan to stay in the Schengen area longer than three months, contact the embassy of the country where you plan to spend the majority of your time to apply for a visa.

(To receive a downloadable pdf of this helpful chart, click here.)

Note: Online calculators can help you determine how long you can stay in the Schengen . Click here for an easy-to-use calculator.