Schengen Visa and National Visa

[Johann]

I'm an Australian passport holder.

I entered the Schengen area on 1 May 2016 and left the area on 28 May 16. How are the 90 days stay in 180 days calculated. When can I enter the Schengen area again on a 90/180 day Visa? The passport/customs officer did not give me a clear answer.

If I have an Italy national Visa ( which may be valid for 12 months), can I enter the Schengen area with a 90/180 day Visa and travel the whole Schengen area for the first 90 days and at the same time start using the National Italy Visa?

I hope that somebody can help me in this matter.

[steven]

For your first question:

The 90/180 rule is a moving time frame. It does not get reset at any specific date. See this sample Schengen 90/180 rule calculation that hopefuly will give you an idea how those dates really are calculated:

Schengen calculation
http://www.maxi-pedia.com/forum/index.php?topic=562.msg1838#msg1838

For your second question:

You can take advantage of the national visa after the tourist visa without worrying about the 90/180 rule, but unfortunately not the other way around. Having national visa after tourist visa - the 90/180 rule does not apply. Having tourist visa after national visa - the 90/180 rules does apply. See here for more information:

Schengen tourist visa after study visa expires
http://www.maxi-pedia.com/forum/index.php?topic=288.0