90-days rule: Can I come in alternate months?

I understand that if I spend a full 90 days in France, say January 1 to the end of March, I cannot come back until July – but what if I come in alternate months?

If you come in alternate months, you could continue to do this all year. For example, January, March, and May 2025 would fall in your first 180 days and July, September and November in a renewed 180 days.

Once you have entered France (or any other EU country) you should just ensure that, looking back, you have not spent more than 90 days in total in the Schengen area in the last 180 days.

If in doubt, this short-stay calculator tool can help.

Border officials can check you do not overstay by using date passport stamps on entry and exit to France (or the Schengen area generally).

A new EU-wide Entry/Exit System (EES) is due to come into force in late 2025, which will automatically gather information on non-EU people travelling in and out of the EU.