New requirements for Americans traveling to Europe postponed until 2025
Visitors who now travel visa-free will need to get approval prior to departure.
Americans eyed upcoming travel to European destinations slightly differently due to news of a requirement that was set to start in 2024 for U.S. passport holders. But now, EU officials have postponed the European Travel Information and Authorisation System ( ETIAS ) launch until spring of 2025.
SchengenVisaInfo.com, a website dedicated to the world's largest visa-free zone where 27 European countries abolished their internal borders known as the Schengen Area, first reported that an EU official confirmed ETIAS won't go live until May 2025, "due to continued delays with the introduction of the related Entry-Exit System (EES), which needs to be operational before ETIAS can be implemented."
An official for the European Union did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.
What to know about ETIAS for US travelers
If you previously traveled to Europe without a visa, you will now need to apply for authorization through the ETIAS , before visiting.
Today, American travelers have visa-free access to 184 global destinations, according to the Henley Passport Index . And while the U.S. passport is currently ranked eighth-most powerful passport to own, that could be set to shift when the European Union adds its new documentation requirements for U.S. visitors.
The application form, which will be available on the official ETIAS website as well as a mobile application, has a fee of 7 euros or $7.79 U.S. dollars. All communication is done by email.
Once you are approved for travel, the authorization entitles visitors to stay in European countries that require ETIAS for up to 90 days within any 180-day period and travelers must be in possession of a valid ETIAS during their entire stay.
MORE: New warning issued for rebooking air travel after delays, cancellations
According to ETIAS, most applications should be processed within minutes, but in case an application takes longer, decisions will be sent within four days or up to 14 days if the applicant is asked to provide additional documentation.
The European Union encourages travelers to apply for an ETIAS authorization "well in advance of your planned journey."
Confirmation of application submission will be sent on email with a unique number that is needed for future reference.
Upon receiving ETIAS travel authorization, travelers are to ensure that their name, passport number and other information is correct because any mistake will prevent them from crossing the border.
If an application is refused, the email will include the reasons for the decision along with information about how to appeal.
ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years, according to the EU, or until the travel document you used in your application expires, whichever comes first.
MORE: European heat wave breaking records with little relief in sight
The ETIAS authorization is linked to a person's travel document -- such as a U.S. passport -- and both documents will be needed to board a flight, bus or ship to enter any of the European countries that require ETIAS.
Similar to international border requirements with a passport, the ETIAS authorization doesn't guarantee automatic right of entry. "Border guards will verify that you meet the entry conditions" and anyone who does not meet the conditions "will be refused entry," according to the EU.
Click here to learn more about the process from the European Union.
An earlier version of this story was originally published on July 21, 2023.
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Do Americans Need a Visa for Europe? ETIAS is Coming Soon
The rules are changing for what Americans need to travel to Europe.
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The rules are changing around what you need to travel to Europe, including to some of the cheapest countries to visit , with a moving target on a planned update. This year, however, you won't have to do anything different.
Starting in "the first half of 2025," Americans will need one additional approval to enter countries in the European Union . To visit, you'll have to apply for approval under the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) . You will apply online, and the authorization, which will be linked to your passport, will account for short-term stays, including up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
This had been planned to be in effect in 2024, but in 2023, the European Union indicated it won't happen till 2025. ETIAS is expected to be operational in spring 2025, a European Commission spokesperson told Kiplinger in August 2024.
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How to apply for Europe's ETIAS
To fill in the ETIAS application , you will fill out some basic information on the official ETIAS website. The application will ask for information like your name, address, passport information, current occupation, as well as information about past travel to conflict zones and criminal convictions.
You will also have to share information about your travel plans, as well as answer questions about if you have relatives who are citizens in Europe. The application will not require any health information or biometric data, like fingerprints.
The ETIAS website says "most" applications are processed in minutes, but approval time could extend up to four days. Additionally, some requestors may be asked for more information or to do an interview, which would extend the process by up to 14 days for more documentation, or 30 days for an interview. So if you're planning travel, remember to apply at least a month before you have to go.
The good news is that once you're approved, the authorization lasts for three years. But if your passport expires within those three years, you'll need to apply again.
Email is important to this process. You apply online, and then receive an email confirming your application. That email "will include your unique ETIAS application number: make sure you keep this number for future reference," the ETIAS website says. You will get another email once your application is processed.
If your application gets rejected, the email will have the reasons for it. You will have the option to appeal a rejection.
Who needs to apply for ETIAS, and for which countries?
If you are an American citizen planning to travel to countries in the Schengen area, and Cyprus, you will need to apply for ETIAS authorization. (The "Schengen area" refers to a border agreement between countries in Europe.)
There are 30 countries on that list, which includes: 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.
That does mean that if you're an American traveling to the United Kingdom or Ireland, you will not need ETIAS authorization.
It should also be noted that while ETIAS applies for traveling in the Schengen area, it is different from a Schengen visa. A Schengen visa is required for citizens of other non-EU countries, not including the United States, visiting the region. You can find more information about Schengen visas here .
How much ETIAS costs
In addition to adding some hassle, this requirement will make a family vacation slightly more expensive. Applications will cost 7 euros, which right now is close to $8. However, applications for people under 18 or over 70 years old are free. There are also some exemptions for those who have EU citizen family members and "non-EU nationals who have the right to move freely throughout the European Union."
One more thing to look out for: ETIAS warned last spring that many unofficial ETIAS websites have sprung up. ETIAS says these sites have incorrect information and some "already collect travelers' personal data, which is concerning." Protect your identity and avoid scams by only using the official ETIAS website.
How ETIAS changes travel
Once ETIAS is launched, it will obviously impact some of the details of travel logistics.
If you are getting to Europe via air or sea, i.e. flying or taking a cruise, for example, the carrier you use will be required to verify you have a valid ETIAS travel authorizations within 48 hours before departure. ETIAS says they will verify authorizations via a new tool. If you do not have a valid ETIAS authorization, you will not be allowed to board your plain, bus or sea vessel.
However, if you are traveling into the area via train, train operators will not check for ETIAS authorization. But, ETIAS will still be checked at the border, and the system specifies that people traveling from the U.K. by, for example, the Eurostar train will be checked by a border guard before boarding.
What ETIAS means for students, residents and families
If your child or grandchild is planning to study abroad in Europe, you should know there's a distinction between ETIAS and a student visa. ETIAS allows a person to study in Europe for up to 90 days. But if they're planning to stay longer, like a full semester, they will need a student visa.
If they finish their semester and want to stick around and travel a little longer, they "can remain in the European countries requiring ETIAS for up to an additional 90 days without needing to leave and return," the program says. But they will need a valid ETIAS travel authorization and to be registered in the Entry/Exit System, which usually happens at the border. The Entry/Exit System is another new traveler system the EU is working on, and it is expected to launch Nov 10, 2024.
Meanwhile, if you have a residence permit or card from a European country that otherwise requires ETIAS, you do not need to apply for ETIAS travel authorization. This is also true if you are a national of a European country that otherwise requires ETIAS.
As previously mentioned, if you are a family member of a European national, you do not have to pay the ETIAS application fee. But there are strict specifications around who qualifies as a "family member." Family members as defined by ETIAS include spouses, registered partners, direct descendants under age 21, and dependent direct relatives. Make sure to read the rules carefully and don't assume your situation means you don't need to apply.
The bottom line on what you need to travel to Europe
This will be a big change for Americans since there hasn't been a visa requirement to visit EU countries before. Keep this in mind before your big trip to Greece, Italy, France or any of the other 30 Euro nations in 2025.
But, Cameron Hewitt, content and editorial director at Rick Steves' Europe, told the Washington Post : "It certainly shouldn’t cause anyone to rethink a trip to Europe. From what we know, ETIAS looks like it’ll simply be a manageable bit of red tape." Then, your biggest concern will be avoiding the crowds on Santorini .
For now, though, the old rules are in place, and you do not need a visa to travel to Europe for trips under 90 days as an American in 2024 . But you should check your passport's expiration date, as it needs to be valid for at least six months after arrival in the European Schengen area, and be aware of how long it takes to renew your passport .
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Alexandra Svokos is the senior digital editor of Kiplinger. She holds an MBA from NYU Stern in finance and management and a BA in economics and creative writing from Columbia University. Alexandra has a decade of experience in journalism and previously served as the senior editor of digital for ABC News, where she directed daily news coverage across topics through major events of the early 2020s for the network's website, including stock market trends, the remote and return-to-work revolutions, and the national economy. Before that, she pioneered politics and election coverage for Elite Daily and went on to serve as the senior news editor for that group.
Alexandra was recognized with an "Up & Comer" award at the 2018 Folio: Top Women in Media awards, and she was asked twice by the Nieman Journalism Lab to contribute to their annual journalism predictions feature. She has also been asked to speak on panels and give presentations on the future of media and on business and media, including by the Center for Communication and Twipe.
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New travel system for Europe delayed again, to 2025
Americans who are planning to visit Europe in 2024 don’t have to worry about applying to the European Union’s new travel authorization system yet.
For almost a decade now, European Union authorities have been working on a visa-like system called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System . It’s for travelers from “visa-exempt” countries like the U.S., and the U.S. has a similar system.
After several years of delays, ETIAS was expected to go online in 2024, but it has now been pushed back to mid-2025 because its entry/exit database isn’t ready.
The system is not handling applications yet, so American travelers can hold off a bit longer on their paperwork.
Eventually, travelers from visa-exempt countries who want to go to most EU nations, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, will have to register online. Most people will have to pay an application fee of 7 euros ($7.70). All of those travelers, including small children, will have to apply.
Travelers from Canada, Mexico, Australia and most South American countries will have to apply through ETIAS as well.
The EU says most applications will be processed within minutes, but some will take days or weeks and require additional information, so it advises people to apply well in advance of their trips.
Assuming authorization is granted, it will be good for three years, or until the user’s passport expires, whichever is first. That authorization will allow travelers to enter those European countries as often as they want for short stays, which are typically 90 days in any 180-day period — assuming border security approves.
Marley Jay is a business news reporter for NBC News Digital.
ETIAS: all you need to know about the essential task added to your European travel checklist
Oct 27, 2023 • 4 min read
An ETIAS will be required for entry to Italy and 29 other European countries © Marco Secchi / Getty Images
After multiple delays, EU officials said they'll finally introduce the ETIAS regulation in 2025. Initially planned for implementation in late 2023, the system will require forward planning from US travelers and others when visiting Europe.
You've booked your tickets, made reservations at your favorite restaurants, but hold on, there will soon be one more essential task to add to your checklist when planning your European vacation.
Beginning in spring 2025, visa-exempt foreigners visiting 30 European countries will have to fill out an application for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
The new screening process, which includes an online registration and small application fee, is essentially a background check aimed at protecting the borders of countries within Europe’s Schengen Zone . An ESTIAS is not a visa, but similar to ESTA , a visa-waiver program used in the United States since 2008.
The new process also means travelers won't receive passport stamps anymore. Instead, their faces and fingerprints will be scanned and recorded in a new digital registration system starting next autumn. The changes are anticipated to lead to shorter waiting times at entry points and a more streamlined process, according to officials.
The security measure will impact roughly 1.4 billion travelers from over 60 countries including the US.
While applying for an ETIAS might initially seem daunting, it's just a tiny bump on the trip-planning journey. Travelers should be far more concerned about the increasing regularity of heat waves scorching southern Europe in the late spring and summer months and over-tourism plaguing cities from Amsterdam to Venice. Filling out the ETIAS application, on the contrary, should be quick and hassle-free.
Here's everything you need to know.
Who needs to apply for an ETIAS?
Passport holders from around 60 countries – including citizens from the US, Canada, Mexico, and the UK – will require an ETIAS authorization for short-term stays, regardless of age. The EU defines a short-term stay as any visit, or combination of stays, that last up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Without an ETIAS, travelers risk being turned away at the border.
Visit the ETIAS website for a complete list of passport holders and European destinations affected by the change.
How do I apply?
Once the ETIAS application becomes available online, travelers (or authorized third parties , like family members and travel agencies) can fill out the digital form via the ETIAS website or app, which should take roughly 10 minutes.
To apply, you’ll need to provide an approved, up-to-date travel document, like a passport, along with personal information, including your phone number, parents’ first name(s), level of education, current occupation, and details about where you intend to stay. Applicants must also provide details about past criminal convictions and visits to war zones.
How much does the application cost?
For applicants ages 18-70, there will be a non-refundable €7 fee (roughly $8) payable by debit or credit card. Anyone younger than 18 or older than 70 won't be charged the application fee. Family members of EU citizens are also exempt from payment.
When should I apply?
EU officials recommend applying before booking hotel and flight reservations. To be on the safe side, this should be no later than one month before an intended trip.
While most ETIAS applications will be processed within minutes, some decisions may be delivered within four days. That wait time can extend up to 14 days if additional information is required and up to 30 days if you're asked to interview.
Can I apply for an ETIAS without upcoming travel plans?
Yes, though you’ll need to indicate the country where you intend to stay on your application. Once authorized, it’s possible to change plans and travel to any of the 30 countries requiring an ETIAS.
How will I know if I’m approved?
After applying online, ETIAS applicants will receive two emails. The first email will confirm that the application has been successfully submitted. Once the application is processed, you'll receive a second email with an authorization decision.
How long will my ETIAS authorization last?
ETIAS authorization will be valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You can leave and re-enter countries requiring an ETIAS as often as you desire within that window, as long as your travel doesn't exceed the short-term stay limit.
What type of ETIAS documentation will I need to enter the EU?
You don’t need to print out the actual ETIAS confirmation, but it’s imperative to bring the passport linked to your authorization.
Ensure all the details on your passport and ETIAS match before traveling – and that your passport is valid for three months after your departure date – or you’ll be turned away at the border.
What happens if my application gets denied?
You’ll receive a notification explaining why your application was refused, along with follow-up information about appealing the decision.
To avoid a refusal, double-check your work before submitting the application. Even simple typing errors – like the misspelling of a name – can result in rejection. Don’t let a misplaced vowel thwart your grand European adventure.
This article was first published Jul 31, 2023 and updated Oct 27, 2023.
What is ETIAS
The rules of travel to most European countries have changed. Starting in the first half of 2025, some 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries are required to have a travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for a short stay.
- ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications are collected at this point.
ETIAS in a nutshell
ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 30 European countries . It is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.
With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.
ETIAS requirements for travel to 30 European countries
The map is for illustration purposes only, exceptions apply.
Applying for an ETIAS travel authorisation
You can fill out the application form using either this official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile application. Applying for the ETIAS travel authorisation costs EUR 7, though some travellers are exempt from paying this fee. Read more about what you need to apply and payment exemptions .
Processing your ETIAS application
Most applications are processed within minutes.
It is possible however that your application may take longer to process. If so, you will receive a decision within four days. Please note that this period could be extended by up to 14 days if you are requested to provide additional information or documentation, or up to 30 days if you are invited to an interview. This is why you should apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation well in advance of your planned journey.
Once you have applied
You will receive an email confirming the submission of your application which will include your unique ETIAS application number: make sure you keep this number for future reference.
Once your application has been processed, you will receive another email informing you about its outcome.
When you get your ETIAS travel authorisation please make sure your name, passport number and other information is correct: if there is any mistake, you will not be allowed to cross the border. More information about what to do if you made a mistake in your application can be found here .
If your application is refused , the email will provide the reasons for this decision. It will also include information about how to appeal , details of the competent authority, as well as the relevant time limit to appeal.
Validity period of your ETIAS
Your ETIAS travel authorisation is valid for three years or until the travel document you used in your application expires - whichever comes first.
It is for short-term stays: a valid ETIAS travel authorisation entitles you to stay in the European countries requiring ETIAS for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
You must be in possession of a valid ETIAS travel authorisation during your entire stay. You can leave and come back at any time, as long as you respect this time limit.
On arrival at the border
As your ETIAS travel authorisation is linked to your travel document, make sure to carry the same document which you used in your ETIAS application. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to board your flight, bus or ship, or to enter any of the European countries requiring ETIAS.
Having a valid ETIAS travel authorisation does not guarantee an automatic right of entry. When you arrive at the border, border guards will verify that you meet the entry conditions . Those travellers who do not meet the entry conditions will be refused entry.
More information about what to expect when crossing EU borders is available here .
Your ETIAS check-list
- Apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation well in advance – before you buy your ticket or book your accommodation
- Make sure your passport details correspond to those in your ETIAS authorisation – you will be refused boarding and entry at the border if they do not match
- Make sure your ETIAS travel authorisation is still valid
- Check how long you can stay in the European countries requiring ETIAS
- Make sure your passport is valid for three months after your intended departure from the European countries requiring ETIAS - you will be refused entry at the border if it is not ( exceptions apply ).
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