Can I stay 90 days in Germany, then 90 days in France?

No. The 90-day limit applies to the entire Schengen Area combined, not individual countries. Moving between Schengen countries doesn't reset your counter.

What happens if I overstay my 90 days?

Overstaying can result in fines, deportation, and bans from future Schengen entry ranging from 1-5 years. Even one day over can trigger penalties. Exit before your 90 days expire.

Do I need to show proof of funds at the border?

Border guards can ask for proof you can support yourself financially. The unofficial standard is around 50-100 euros per day of planned stay, shown through bank statements or cash.

Can I work in the Schengen Area as a tourist?

No. Tourist entry prohibits employment. You need a work visa or EU citizenship to work legally. Even remote work for non-EU employers is technically not allowed on tourist status.

What if I have a layover in a Schengen airport?

If you don't leave the international transit area, it doesn't count toward your 90 days. But if you clear immigration to enter the airport's public areas or the country, your counter starts.

How to understand Schengen Area travel rules

The Schengen Area allows passport-free travel between 27 European countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. You enter once, then move freely between member countries without border checks, but the 90-day clock applies to the entire zone, not individual countries.

Know which countries are in the Schengen Area. 27 countries participate: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Note that Ireland, UK, Cyprus, Romania, and Bulgaria are EU but not Schengen.
Understand the 90/180 rule. You can stay 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. This means on any given day, you cannot have spent more than 90 of the previous 180 days in the Schengen Area. The clock starts when you first enter any Schengen country, not when you enter each individual country.
Track your days correctly. Count every day you're physically present in the Schengen Area, including arrival and departure days. If you arrive Monday and leave Friday, that's 5 days, not 3. Use the European Commission's calculator at ec.europa.eu/assets/home/visa-calculator to verify your allowed stay.
Plan your entry and exit strategy. Enter through any Schengen country - your entry stamp is valid for the entire area. You can exit through any Schengen country. If flying, your first Schengen airport handles immigration; connecting flights within Schengen are domestic. Keep all entry/exit stamps as proof of compliance.
Reset the clock properly. To reset your 90 days, you must stay outside the entire Schengen Area for at least 90 consecutive days. Going to Ireland, UK, or non-Schengen Balkan countries counts as being outside. Time in non-Schengen countries does not count toward your 90-day limit.

Can I stay 90 days in Germany, then 90 days in France?: No. The 90-day limit applies to the entire Schengen Area combined, not individual countries. Moving between Schengen countries doesn't reset your counter.
What happens if I overstay my 90 days?: Overstaying can result in fines, deportation, and bans from future Schengen entry ranging from 1-5 years. Even one day over can trigger penalties. Exit before your 90 days expire.
Do I need to show proof of funds at the border?: Border guards can ask for proof you can support yourself financially. The unofficial standard is around 50-100 euros per day of planned stay, shown through bank statements or cash.
Can I work in the Schengen Area as a tourist?: No. Tourist entry prohibits employment. You need a work visa or EU citizenship to work legally. Even remote work for non-EU employers is technically not allowed on tourist status.
What if I have a layover in a Schengen airport?: If you don't leave the international transit area, it doesn't count toward your 90 days. But if you clear immigration to enter the airport's public areas or the country, your counter starts.