Does a layover that clears border control count as a day in the area?
Two official sources disagree. Ninety will not choose for you.
Admission at the border is entry into the territory, so the day counts.
if you accept this → the day counts
- Schengen: border crossing — European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs
The rule is framed around "staying" in the area; a same-day transit is not a stay.
if you accept this → the day does not count
- Schengen visa policy — European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs