How is the duration of stay is calculated?

score:4

Accepted answer

Each minute of a day within the Schengen zone counts as a day.
Most airlines will not let you board if your arrival date is before the date your visa is valid. But they might if your visa validity starts before your departure.

Whether you can stay in the airport till past midnight depends on the airport, some close every night and will want the arriving passengers processed efficiently, so no hanging around. It is often less of a problem when airports have arrivals till after midnight but even then you might not be allowed to wait.

Passing through exit control a calendar day before departure is also not likely.
And it is never advised to stay till the last minute of your visa, as delays are always possible.

Best book your flights for no more than 16 days, 17 max.

Upvote:4

At the moment it is calculated with stamps, a stamp with the date you go through immigration on arrival, then a stamp with the date you go through emigration when leaving. So it's whatever date you go through emigration that will count towards your duration of stay.

Where do you expect to wait for 3 hours? Going to connections area will see you go through security and possibly a passport check. Waiting in the area before passport control will probably cause suspicion too.

If you're concerned you will be going home 1 day after the 90 days in 180 days rule you could be refused entry as your return flight ticket (if the immigration officer asks to see it) may show you're leaving on 12th August. So going to the airport early would not matter as you might not be let in. Also if you're checking in luggage you probably can't check it in that early.

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