Brexit - A guide for longer term travelling

Since Brexit, travelling through Europe as a UK citizen isn’t quite as carefree as it once was. Gone are the days when you could glide from Greece to Germany with nothing more than a passport and a plan. Now there’s a clock running quietly in the background, and if you’re not careful, it could bring your European adventures to an end.

Europe is a whole continent filled with different countries, cultures, and languages. It includes both EU member states and countries that aren’t part of the EU. The Schengen Area is a specific group of 27 European countries that have ditched passport checks and other border controls at their shared borders.

Now, while a lot of Schengen countries are in the EU, not all EU countries are in the Schengen Area. Plus, some places like Norway and Switzerland are part of Schengen but aren't EU members.

What is the 90/180 Rule?

This is the crucial rule every post-Brexit traveller must understand. UK passport holders can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen Area. This group includes most EU countries, as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and a few others.

Here’s how it works:

• You get 90 days of travel without a visa within the Schengen Zone.

• Once you’ve used those 90 days, you must stay outside the Schengen Zone for 90 consecutive days before returning.

• The 180-day window is rolling, meaning it moves forward with each new day. It’s not a simple three-month block.

Overstay, even by a day, and you risk penalties, large fines or being barred from returning to the EU. Not the kind of souvenir anyone wants.

Which EU Countries Are In (And Out) of Schengen?

This rule only applies to countries inside the Schengen Area. That’s where it gets interesting.

Included in Schengen:

• France

• Spain

• Italy

• Germany

• Portugal

• Netherlands

• Most of Scandinavia and much of Central Europe

Excluded from Schengen:

• Ireland – Not part of Schengen, and thanks to the Common Travel Area, you can travel freely there without it affecting your Schengen count.

• Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus – EU countries, but not in Schengen yet. Time spent here does not count towards your Schengen total.

This creates a real opportunity for long-term travellers to bounce between zones and stay in Europe longer legally.

How to Track Your Time

Because of the rolling nature of the rule, it’s easy to miscalculate. Here’s how to stay on top of it:

1. Use a 90/180 Calculator

There are free tools online, like the SchengenVisaInfo calculator, that help you enter travel dates and calculate your remaining days.

2. Keep a Travel Log

Even a simple spreadsheet or notebook helps. Log your entry and exit dates for every country visit.

3. Watch for Passport Stamps

Most Schengen borders stamp your passport. It’s your responsibility to know how long you’ve stayed, not theirs.

Strategies to Stay Longer in Europe (Legally)

If you’re planning a slow travel trip, a digital nomad lifestyle or just want to escape the UK winter, you’ll need to get a bit more creative. Fortunately, many Brits already are. Here are some tried-and-tested strategies.

1. Rotate Between Schengen and Non-Schengen Countries

One of the simplest approaches is to hop between countries that do and don’t count toward the 90-day limit. For example:

• Spend 90 days exploring Spain, Italy or France

• Then head to Romania, Bulgaria, (or outside of EU to places such as Turkey or Morocco) for a few months

• After 90 days outside Schengen, you’re clear to return

Other great non-Schengen options include Ireland, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and North Macedonia, all of which allow UK citizens to stay between 30 and 90 days visa-free.

By rotating cleverly, it’s possible to stay in Europe almost indefinitely without breaking the rules.

2. Apply for a Long-Stay or National Visa

Some countries offer visas specifically for long stays. These are not Schengen visas and allow you to remain in that country beyond 90 days.

Popular choices include:

• France – A long-stay visa (visa de long séjour) that lasts up to a year. You need to apply in advance from the UK.

• Spain – The non-lucrative visa is great for retirees or those with passive income.

• Portugal – The D7 visa is ideal for remote workers, freelancers and early retirees.

• Italy – Also offers long-stay options, though the bureaucracy can be challenging.

These visas typically restrict you to that one country, but some allow limited travel within Schengen. Always check the specific terms.

3. Include travel to a non EU country

Countries such as Turkey and Morocco have long been favourites of the van community and as they are not part of the EU, your Brexit clock stops ticking!

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Misunderstanding the 90/180 rule – It’s not three months on, three off. It’s 90 days in any 180-day rolling period.

• Forgetting that Croatia is now Schengen – It used to be a loophole, but not anymore.

• Assuming time in Ireland counts – It doesn’t. Ireland is a separate travel zone entirely.

Final Thoughts: Adapt, Don’t Panic

Yes, Brexit has made European travel more complicated, but it hasn’t made it impossible. With a bit of planning and flexibility, you can still enjoy extended adventures across the continent. In fact, for many slow travellers and digital nomads, these changes have sparked new ways of exploring Europe more deeply and deliberately.

Plan your route. Know your dates. And keep one eye on the calendar, not just the coastline.