Staying in Schengen More Than 90 Days
If you want to stay in mainland Europe longer than 90 days in a 180-day window — for digital nomad life, a sabbatical, or extended family visits — ETIAS won't help. You need a national long-stay visa (Type D) from the specific country you'll spend the most time in.
Why ETIAS doesn't cover long stays
ETIAS is specifically a short-stay authorisation. It maintains the 90-day-in-180 limit. To stay longer, you need a visa issued by a specific EU country for a specific purpose (work, study, retirement, family reunification, digital nomad, etc.).
Countries with digital nomad visas
Several EU countries now offer digital nomad visas for remote workers earning income outside the country:
- Portugal — D7 / D8 visa, popular with US remote workers
- Spain — Digital Nomad Visa, requires ~€2,800/month income
- Italy — Digital Nomad Visa launched 2024
- Greece — Digital Nomad Visa, generous tax incentives
- Estonia — Digital Nomad Visa, fully remote-friendly
- Germany — Freelance visa (Freiberufler) for self-employed
How to apply for a long-stay visa
Each country's consulate handles its own long-stay visas. The process usually involves: filling out a national visa application, providing proof of income or savings, criminal background checks, health insurance valid in the country, proof of accommodation, and an in-person appointment with biometrics. Allow 2–4 months.
Long-stay visa + ETIAS
Once you have a long-stay visa from one Schengen country, you can travel freely within Schengen for up to 90 days in 180 (similar to short-stay rules, but separately tracked from your main residence). You generally don't need ETIAS while you hold a valid long-stay visa.
Track your family's Schengen days
The 90-day limit resets on a rolling 180-day window. Our free family calculator tracks every member, every trip, plus a "can we fit this trip?" planner.
Open the calculatorCommon questions
Can I extend my 90 days in Schengen?
Only in exceptional circumstances (medical emergency, force majeure). For routine extensions, no — you must leave at the 90-day mark and return after the rolling window has cleared.
What's a Schengen long-stay visa?
A national visa (Type D) issued by a specific country for stays longer than 90 days. Categories include work, study, retirement, digital nomad, freelance, family, and others.