Americans planning a visit to Europe in 2024 don’t have to worry about applying to the European Union’s new travel authorization system just yet.
For almost a decade, European Union officials have been working on a visa-like system called the European Travel Information and Permit System. This is aimed at travelers from “visa-free” countries like the United States, which also has a similar system.
After several years of delays, ETIAS was expected to be operational in 2024, but has now been pushed back to mid-2025 because the entry-exit database is not ready.
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The system has not yet processed the application, so American travelers can wait a little longer for the paperwork.
Eventually, travelers from visa-exempt countries wishing to travel to most EU countries, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, will be required to register online. Most people need to pay an application fee of 7 euros ($7.70). All travelers, including small children, must apply.
Travelers from Canada, Mexico, Australia, and most South American countries must also apply through ETIAS.
The EU urges people to apply well in advance of their trip, as most applications are processed within minutes, but some can take days or weeks and require additional information.
If granted, permission is valid for three years or until the user’s passport expires, whichever comes first. The authorization allows travelers to enter these European countries as many times as they like for short-term stays, typically 90 days out of a 180-day period, provided border control permits.
