How I Extended My Euro Trip Beyond 90 Days: Best Non-Schengen Countries in Europe

In December 2021, I went on a Euro Trip through Spain, France, Germany, and Poland. I did this trip while working remotely, so the pace was slow, alternating between work and sightseeing (digital nomad mode). Initially, my plan was to return to my home country, Costa Rica, before the 90 days allowed for legally staying in the European Union ran out. As a Costa Rican citizen, I was fully aware that I had a 90-day limit to stay in the Schengen Area within a 180-day period. This meant that after spending 90 days in Europe, I would have to spend another 90 days outside the Schengen zone. But Europe caught me off guard, and three months felt like the blink of an eye. So I started looking for an alternative – non Schengen countries in Europe.

It’s important to emphasize that the rule is clear and strict: if you’re visiting Europe as a tourist, you must leave the Schengen Area before those initial 90 days with no exceptions. It was just a few days before my limit that I started researching which European countries were not part of the Schengen Agreement.

Heads up! Not all countries outside the European Union are also outside the Schengen Area. For example, Norway and Switzerland aren’t part of the EU, but they are part of Schengen. That’s why it’s crucial to check this information carefully before traveling, so you don’t mistakenly think a non-EU country counts outside the 90-day limit. Read this article carefully and plan your trip wisely if you want to explore non Schengen countries in Europe.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the key concepts I wish I had at my disposal back then. I’ll also provide an updated list of European countries that are part of Schengen, those that remain outside (and are therefore potential destinations to visit), and those that might join in the near future.

I’m committed to keeping this list updated every year (if I forget, feel free to reach out). So, if you plan to return to Europe in the future, I recommend checking the list again, since who knows, there might be changes and new countries joining the agreement.

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What is the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area is an agreement between several European countries that removes internal border controls, allowing people to move freely within this zone. The name comes from the town of Schengen in Luxembourg, where the original agreement was signed in 1985.

Countries that are members of the Schengen Area have abolished internal border checks and have implemented stricter controls at common external borders. This means citizens of these countries can travel between them without going through passport or customs checks at internal borders.

Schengen Area Member Countries in 2025

Here’s a complete list of countries that are part of the Schengen Area in 2025. Check this key information to stay aware of the nations participating in this agreement and make your future European travels easier, with no border restrictions:

• Germany
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria (since 1/2025)
• Croatia
• Denmark
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Kosovo (since 1/2024)
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Norway
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Czech Republic
• Romania (since 1/2025)
• Slovakia
• Sweden
• Switzerland

Best Non-Schengen Countries in Europe in 2025

Now we’re entering a different territory in Europe. In this section, I’ll give you the list of European countries not in Schengen in 2025. These destinations are perfect if you want to extend your stay beyond the 90 days allowed in the Schengen Area or explore less-visited countries.

• Cyprus
• Ireland
• Albania
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Belarus
• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Georgia
• North Macedonia
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• Serbia
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland)

These European countries not in Schengen offer unique experiences and are great options for travelers looking for something off the beaten path.

My Personal Experience

Back to my story: with just four days left before my 90-day Schengen limit expired, I booked a flight to Edinburgh, Scotland. By the way, that flight was an absolute steal (less than €10) thanks to the Covid-era deals that were everywhere on Skyscanner. When I arrived in Edinburgh, they stamped my passport, and to my surprise, I was allowed to stay in the UK for up to six months. I made the most of my time exploring Edinburgh in depth and then took a bus to London, where I spent a week. I have to admit, though, that the UK was quite an expensive destination, especially since my trip there was pretty last-minute and I couldn’t book accommodation in advance.

That’s when I started looking for alternative options. Among the list of countries outside Schengen, I remembered one I had visited for just a day in 2018 when my cruise made a short stop there: Montenegro. Montenegro had left a great impression on me back then, and I always said I’d return. So I went to Montenegro. Upon arrival, immigration officers had a bit of fun trying to figure out what Costa Rica was and whether I could really enter the country. In the end, they stamped my passport for six months. So, if you’re looking for non-Schengen countries in Europe near Spain to extend your stay, Montenegro should definitely be on your list.

I rented an Airbnb in Budva for less than $700 USD per month and also rented a car for about $20 USD per day. The car allowed me to explore neighboring countries like Croatia (Update: Croatia is NOW part of Schengen, as of 1/2023), Albania, and Bosnia, none of which are part of the Schengen Agreement. It was an exciting few months full of discoveries and adventures in this part of the world—adventures I might never have had if it weren’t for this little trick to extend my stay in Europe.