When your Schengen visa is issued, you can start travelling to the Schengen areas from the start date listed on your visa.
Although, for someone like me, I prefer to wait a couple of days (2 or 3 days) before leaving.
This gives me time to confirm all my travel details and make sure everything is in order before I leave for my trip.
Your Schengen visa is usually valid for 90 days within a 180-day timeframe.
Within these 90 days, you can travel freely to the Schengen Area. If you plan to travel on the last day of your visa, here’s what the rule says.
Can I travel on the day my Schengen visa expires?
Yes, you can travel to the Schengen Area on the exact day your visa expires, as long as you leave the Schengen zone before midnight on that day.
This means that if you have a valid Schengen visa and have a reason to enter the area on the last day of your visa validity, you’re allowed to do just that.
However, you must leave the Schengen area before the clock strikes midnight on the same day that your visa is expiring.
Read also: How to change your name on your Nigerian passport.
So, if you enter that day, you must leave that day!
Once midnight passes, your visa is officially expired, and staying any longer – even by a few minutes – means that you’re overstaying your visa.
For example, if your visa expires on July 31, you can travel to the Schengen area on that same July 31, but your flight “must” depart before 11:59 p.m. that night.
What does the expiration date mean?
The expiration date on your Schengen visa is the last day you’re allowed to stay legally in the Schengen Zone.
Simply put, the day you stay ends.
For example:
- If your visa expires on June 15, you must leave the Schengen Zone before 11:59 p.m. on June 15.
- If you have a flight out of the Schengen Zone on June 15, it must depart before midnight that night.
With a Schengen visa, the expiration date is firm – if you stay even minutes past the midnight of your visa’s expiration date, it’d count as overstaying.
Read also: How to book an appointment for a Passport in the UK.
When this happens, you can be banned, fined, or even stopped from getting future visas to the area.
How long does a Schengen visa last before it expires?
A Schengen visa lasts for 90 days within 180 days. The exact duration of your stay will be shown on your visa sticker, which indicates the start and end dates of your visa.
Once the visa expires, any remaining unused days are no longer valid.
Read also: How to retrieve a DS 160 form after submission
Is it a good idea to leave the Schengen area on the last day of your visa?
No, it’s not a good idea to leave the Schengen area on the last day of your visa. Leaving on the last day of your visa is risky whether or not it’s the Schengen visa.
This is simply because unexpected delays can happen.
If your flight is delayed or if you encounter long lines at the airport, you can end up staying past midnight, which counts as overstaying.
Read also: How soon can I renew my UK visa before it expires?
Therefore, it’s safer to leave a day or two earlier to avoid any issues.
When you leave early, you leave without stress.
Overall, giving yourself extra time (by leaving a day or two before) will help you avoid any potential problems.
What happens if I overstay my Schengen visa by 1 day?
If you overstay your Schengen visa by one day, you’ll be fined, banned, deported or restricted from travelling to the Schengen areas.
With a Schengen visa, every overstay counts. Even a short overstay will make you become an “overstayer.
With an overstay tag, you’ll find it harder to get a visa again.
Read also: You do not have significant family ties outside Canada
It’s best to leave on time to avoid these issues.
Overstaying Schengen visa by 2 days
Overstaying by 2 days is even worse than 1 day. This time, the consequences will be tougher and stricter.
If you’re someone who travels a lot, bearing an overstay tag will ruin your ability to get visas (not just the Schengen visa) in the future.
What is the grace period for a Schengen visa?
The grace for a Schengen visa refers to the extra days you can stay in the Schengen Area after your visa’s expiration date.
For example, if your visa expires on the 15th of the month and there is a 15-day grace period, you’d be allowed to stay in the country until the end of the month without facing any consequences.
The grace period for a Schengen visa is 15 days, however, it does not apply to multiple-entry visas that are valid for 6 months to 5 years.
In addition, most countries do not allow it for reasons like public policy and international relationships.
Instead of overstaying only to find out that the country you reside in does not allow the grace period, you should leave while your visa is still valid.
How much is the fine for overstaying a Schengen visa?
You’ll pay a fine between €100 to €5000 or even more if you overstay your Schengen visa. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on the country and how long you overstayed.
For example, if you stay in a country for 4 days after your visa expires, you can be fined only €200.
In addition to the fine, you can be banned for a few years.
What can I do if I accidentally overstay my Schengen visa?
If you accidentally overstay your Schengen visa, like if your flight gets delayed or you become suddenly ill, contact the relevant immigration authorities as soon as possible.
Reporting the issue by yourself can reduce any penalties you’ll face.
But, it’s not guaranteed.
Can I enter on the last day of my Schengen visa?
You can enter on the last day of your Schengen visa. As long as your visa is valid, you can enter the Schengen area with it.
But, do not forget to leave before it expires.
Just like entering, if you’re in the Schengen area, you can leave on the last day of your visa’s validity although leaving a day or two earlier is the best.
Read also: Can I leave on the day my visa expires?
When you leave earlier, you’ll avoid any unexpected delays—like transportation issues or customs holdups—that will force you to accidentally overstay.
You know how bad overstaying can affect your future applications.
Leave a comment