Bilateral Visa Waivers Europe: Stay Beyond 90 Days

If you’ve spent any time planning a European stay, you’ll be familiar with the Schengen 90/180-day rule.

For most travellers, it’s a hard limit. Australians and New Zealanders, however, have bilateral visa waiver agreements with certain European countries that pre-date Schengen — and used correctly, these can extend your stay.

Common question

Do bilateral agreements extend your Schengen time?

Bilateral agreements do not reset your Schengen 90 days, do not give you extra days to travel Europe freely, and do not allow movement between countries. They allow additional time in one country only.

How it works

The strategy, step by step

1. 1Spend up to 90 days in the Schengen Area as normal.
2. 2Relocate to a bilateral agreement country before your Schengen time expires.
3. 3Remain in that country only — for up to an additional 90 days.

This allows up to 180 days in Europe in total, but only 90 days of movement across Schengen countries.

Country breakdown

Where this applies

Key restrictions

What you cannot do

• ✕Travel to other Schengen countries once you’ve exceeded your 90 days — this may result in an overstay.
• ✕Reset your Schengen clock via a bilateral stay — you must leave the Schengen Area entirely and spend sufficient time outside (typically 90 days).
• ✕Use this approach for continued travel across Europe.

Best use cases

When this strategy makes sense

• ✓As a bridging solution while awaiting visa approval.
• ✓To remain compliant while preparing a residency application.