Question
I have a Spain Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) and often travel within the Schengen area. I’m aware that the rolling 90-day limit in a 180-day period doesn’t apply within Spain, but what about other Schengen countries?
If my passport shows that I’ve been in Spain for over 90 days, will other Schengen countries accept this when I travel there, especially since I frequently fly from the UK to other Schengen countries and face passport control?
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“The 90/180 rule applies to the entire Schengen area.”
“Even as an EU resident, the 90/180 rule still applies, but only when you leave your country of residency. So once you leave Spain, you must abide by the 90/180 days rule in any other Schengen countries.”
“You will travel with your passport and your Spanish residency card. Always show both so that officials see you are a resident in the Schengen zone, which is generally sufficient.”
“You can use an app called Schengen Simple to calculate your days in the Schengen area.”
“If you’re an EU citizen, Schengen movement restrictions don’t apply. For non-EU residents with a DNV, movement is allowed, but working rights are restricted to Spain.”
Conclusion
Participants clarified that while the Spain Digital Nomad Visa allows for freedom of movement within the Schengen area, the standard 90/180 rule, or 90 day rule, still applies for non-Spanish Schengen states.
This means careful planning is required to ensure compliance with these limits. Holding both a passport and a Spanish residency card should facilitate movement across borders within the Schengen area.
Nonetheless, digital nomads should be prepared to demonstrate their residency status and track their movements across Schengen states to avoid overstaying regulations.
