New Entry Requirements for European Travel Explained
Planning a trip to Europe? Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming ETIAS authorization.
In the past several months, rumors and news articles have been circulating about new entry requirements for travel to Europe. Here, you'll learn everything you need to know about the new ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) requirements, based on the latest information from the European Union.
What is the ETIAS entry requirement?
The EU has been working on changes to its entry requirements for many years, mainly to protect against terrorism, but also to curb unlawful immigration. Currently, passport holders from around 60 countries, including the U.S., do not need a visa to enter most European destinations. But when the new rules go into effect, people from these countries will need to obtain ETIAS authorization in order to enter the following 30 European nations:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization form linked to a traveler’s passport. It will allow travelers to enter the above countries for short-term stays, typically up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Once you obtain ETIAS authorization, it’s valid for three years or until your passport expires if it expires in less than three years. If you need to get a new passport, you’ll need a new ETIAS.
The ETIAS authorization is not a visa, which in Europe typically allows for longer stays and sometimes the ability to work or study. If you do have a valid long-term stay visa or residence permit for any of the above countries, you will not also need ETIAS authorization. You can learn about other exemptions on the ETIAS information page from the European Union.
When does ETIAS go into effect?
The program is slated to launch in mid-2025. The start date has changed numerous times, and up until the timeline was changed in October 2023, it was meant to start in 2024. To keep up-to-date with future changes, check the European Union’s official ETIAS site.
How do I apply?
The application system is not yet open, but when it launches, you will fill out a form on a website. You’ll be asked to share personal information including your address, parents’ names, level of education, current occupation, details about criminal convictions and past travel to war zones, and more.
You’ll be required to provide passport information, and your passport should not expire in less than three months from your intended departure date. The form will also ask you to indicate the first country you intend to stay in, but apart from that, you don’t have to specify your travel plans. In addition, you’ll need to pay a fee of 7 euros (around $7.60), unless you’re under 18 or over 70 years old. Because ETIAS is linked to a passport, each family member or member of a group needs to have their own authorization.
How far in advance do I need to apply?
According to the ETIAS website, most people will receive an emailed authorization within minutes. However, the process could, in some cases, take up to 30 days. So, it’s recommended to apply at least one month in advance.
How does ETIAS work at borders?
Border agents can access your authorization through the ETIAS database, so you do not need to print your emailed authorization and take it with you. But do be sure to carry the same passport you used for your application.